Starting an In-Depth Bible Study from Scratch
Scripture itself models a progression from elementary instruction to mature understanding. The author of Hebrews urges readers to "move beyond basic teachings" about repentance and faith—foundational elements of Jewish instruction—and press toward "further understanding about the person of Christ" [1]. This pattern of growth, from first principles to deeper comprehension, establishes the biblical warrant for structured study that advances beyond initial catechesis.
Beginning with the Text Itself
Public reading of Scripture formed the backbone of early Christian instruction, a practice inherited directly from the synagogue [5]. Paul's charge to Timothy—"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine"—placed Scripture reading first in the sequence of congregational ministry [5]. The New Testament writings were recognized as inspired and read alongside the Old Testament from the earliest period [5]. This historical precedent suggests that any serious study begins not with secondary literature but with sustained exposure to the biblical text in its canonical form.
The Discipline of Meditation
Mere exposure, however, does not produce understanding. Paul instructs Timothy to "meditate carefully upon these things," using language that echoes the Psalter's call to continual reflection (Psalm 1:2; 119:15) [4]. The Greek term implies absorption: "be wholly absorbed in them," as one who allows spiritual food to be assimilated through "prayerful meditation" [4]. Matthew Henry observes that the psalmist, though already knowledgeable, "was still pressing forward and desired to know more," never taking up short of perfection as far as it is attainable in this life [2]. The metaphor is instructive: "As long as we live we must be scholars in Christ's school, and sit at his feet" [2].
Moving Toward Maturity
The author of Hebrews frames spiritual growth as something God initiates—"Let us be carried on," suggesting divine agency in the process (Philippians 2:12-13)—yet requiring human cooperation [1]. John Gill notes the apostolic determination "to insist upon the more solid and substantial parts of the Gospel," leaving behind elementary rites to establish believers in deeper doctrine [3]. Timothy's own formation illustrates this trajectory: trained from childhood in the Scriptures [6], he was equipped to recognize doctrinal continuity and to teach others with grounded confidence [7].
Sources
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:7: Here is, I. David's endeavour to perfect himself in his religion, and to make himself (as we say) master of his business. He hopes to learn God's righteous judgments. He knew much, but he was still pressing forward and desired to know more, as knowing this, that he had not yet attained; but as far as perfection is attainable in this life he reached towards it, and would not take up short of it. As long as we live we must be scholars in Christ's school, and sit at his feet; but we should aim to be head-scholars, and to get into the highest form. God's judgments ar”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:3: And this will we do, if God permit. That is, leave the rites and ceremonies of the law, which were the rudiments, or first principles of the Gospel, and go on to a more perfect knowledge of Gospel truths; and, not lay again as the foundation of the ministry, or insist upon them as if they were the main things, even the above articles of the Jewish creed, especially in the, way and manner in which they had been taught and learnt: the sense is, that the apostle and his brethren, in the ministry were determined to insist upon the more solid and substantial parts of the G”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:15: Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63). these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are chan”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 3:14: And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures,.... And therefore must know that the doctrines he had learned were agreeable to them; and so is another reason why he should continue in them. The Jews very early learned their children the holy Scripture. Philo the Jew says (w), "from their very infancy"; a phrase pretty much the same with this here used. It is a maxim with the Jews (x), that when a child was five years of age, it was proper to teach him the Scriptures. Timothy's mother being a Jewess, trained him up early in the knowledge of these writing”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:19: Here begins the third and last division of the Epistle; our duty now while waiting for the Lord's second advent. Resumption and expansion of the exhortation (Heb 4:14-16; compare Heb 10:22-23 here) wherewith he closed the first part of the Epistle, preparatory to his great doctrinal argument, beginning at Heb 7:1. boldness--"free confidence," grounded on the consciousness that our sins have been forgiven. to enter--literally, "as regards the entering." by--Greek, "in"; it is in the blood of Jesus that our boldness to enter is grounded. Compare ”