The Bible: Inspiration, Interpretation, Right Division

The Bible is 'God breathed' and is 'profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work' (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, although the Bible is 'for us' not all of the Bible is 'about us'. Thus we must first 'interpret' the Bible by seeking what it meant to the people to whom it was originally given. Only after that can we seek to 'apply' a passage to 21st century Christendom, and this is where the principle of 'right division' (2 Timothy 2:15) comes in.