Short answer: To understand the Bible, read it humbly and prayerfully, with a translation you can follow, and always in context: who wrote it, to whom, in what kind of writing, and where it sits in the story that runs from Genesis to Revelation. Start with a Gospel, ask for help from God and from fellow believers, and expect to keep learning for a lifetime.
In This Article
People in the pews kept telling me the same thing: they wanted to read the Bible, they opened it with good intentions, and within a few weeks they were lost somewhere in Leviticus. That is not a failure of faith or intelligence. The Bible is a large library written over many centuries, and it asks for a little method.
The Scripture is not meant to be a locked box, either. Moses told Israel that the command was not too difficult and not out of reach (Deuteronomy 30:11). What follows is how I would walk a beginner through it.
Why Is The Bible Hard To Understand?
If you find it hard, you are in good company, and there are real reasons. Understanding them takes away half the frustration.
- It is a collection, not a single book. The Bible gathers many books written by different authors in different times and settings. It includes history, law, poetry, proverbs, prophecy, Gospels, letters and apocalyptic visions.
- The world behind it is foreign. Customs about land, sacrifice, kingship, honor and food are not ours. A verse that seems strange often makes sense once you know the setting.
- It was written in other languages. The Old Testament was written mainly in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek. Every English Bible is a translation, which is why comparing translations can help.
- Some of it is hard on purpose. Even the apostle Peter admitted that some things in Paul's letters are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16).
- There is a spiritual side. The Bible is not only information. It confronts us, and human hearts resist what they do not want to hear.
That last point matters for the person who asks, "Why is it so hard for me to understand the Bible?" Some of the difficulty is skills and background, and these can be learned. Some is the posture of the heart, and that is where prayer comes in. The psalmist asked God for exactly this help.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 (NIV)
Start With The Right Attitude
The first step is not a technique. It is receiving the Bible as God's Word, as Paul says the Thessalonians did (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and doing so with humility, since God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Humility does not mean switching off your mind. Paul speaks of worship that uses a renewed mind (Romans 12:1-2), and God invites honest thinking. At the same time, we lean on him rather than only on ourselves.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
What Is The Big Story Of The Bible?
Many readers get lost because they approach the Bible as a bag of separate sayings. It reads far better as one story with one center. After his resurrection, Jesus showed two disciples on the road to Emmaus how the whole of Scripture points to him.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:27 (NIV)
Here is the story in five movements. Keep them in mind and most passages will find a place.
| Movement | What Happens | Where To See It |
|---|---|---|
| Creation | God makes a good world and people to know him | Genesis 1 and 2 |
| Fall | Sin enters, and relationship with God is broken | Genesis 3 |
| Promise | God calls Israel and promises a coming Savior | Genesis to Malachi |
| Rescue | Jesus lives, dies and rises to save sinners | The four Gospels |
| Restoration | The church spreads the gospel, and Christ will make all things new | Acts to Revelation |
If you want to see how one concept, such as sin, runs through that story, what the Bible says about sin traces it from Genesis onward.
How Do You Read A Passage In Context?
Almost every serious misreading of the Bible comes from pulling a verse out of its setting. A few habits fix most of the damage.
Know The Kind Of Writing
Poetry, narrative, law, proverb and letter are all read differently. A proverb is a general truth, not a promise without exceptions. A psalm uses imagery, so reading a poetic line as flat literal fact can lead you astray. Narrative shows what happened, which is not always a model of what to do. A letter answers real questions from real churches.
Ask Four Questions Of Every Passage
- What does it say? Read it slowly, more than once, and note what you see.
- What did it mean to the first readers? Who wrote it, to whom, and why?
- What does the rest of the Bible say about the subject? Scripture explains Scripture.
- How should I respond? Belief and action follow understanding.
Read the verses before and after, and ideally the whole chapter or book. A line that seems to say one thing alone often says something different in its paragraph.
Take Your Time And Pray
Prayer is not a decoration on study. The Bible tells us to ask when we lack wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 (NIV)
Understanding the Bible is a lifelong pursuit, not a one-time achievement. Each reading shows you something you missed, and your grasp deepens as you grow. The Bible is God-breathed and useful for teaching and training (2 Timothy 3:16-17), which is a good reason to keep coming back to it.
Which Tools Help Beginners?
Start With A Readable Translation
I suggest beginning with a translation that adheres closely to the original wording, so you grasp the intended meaning. The English Standard Version and the Christian Standard Bible are commendable choices in this regard. Readers who want a more flowing, easy style often like the NIV, which is also the translation I quote on this site.
Looking at several translations of a difficult passage can show nuances you might have missed. Moving from a more literal rendering to a paraphrase can shed fresh light occasionally. I would not rely mainly on a paraphrase, but it is a useful supplement. For help choosing, see Which Bible Should You Read? and my review of the Christian Standard Bible.
Consider A Study Bible
A study Bible adds notes, maps and introductions to each book, which is like having a patient teacher beside you. What Is A Study Bible? explains how they work and what to look for, and my NIV Study Bible review looks at one option.
Ask Other People
You do not have to do this alone. The Bible itself recommends seeking help from people who know the text. When Philip met an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah, the man's honest answer was that he needed someone to explain it to him (Acts 8:30-31). Asking for help is a mark of wisdom, not weakness. Group studies, conversations with fellow believers and a good local church all deepen understanding, and hearing different viewpoints can illuminate passages that seem ambiguous.
Seek God Himself
We will not understand the Bible on our own. God sheds light on the hard passages. As you read, he is present to shape your thoughts and show you what you would otherwise miss. That is why I say prayer before and after reading is part of the method, not an extra.
In What Order Should You Read It?
Do not start at Genesis 1 and push straight through as a beginner, since many people stall in the law sections. Reading in a different order is perfectly acceptable. Here is a simple path I recommend.
- The Gospel of John or Mark. Meet Jesus first. Mark is short and fast; John is slower and deeply theological.
- Acts. See the church begin and the gospel spread.
- Romans or Ephesians. Read how the gospel is explained and applied.
- Genesis and Exodus. Now the foundation story will make sense.
- Psalms and Proverbs. Read a little each day for prayer and wisdom.
- The rest of the Bible. Move into the Old Testament histories, the Prophets, and the remaining letters, then Revelation.
You will find a fuller walkthrough in How To Read The Bible And What Is The Best Order and Where To Start Reading The Bible. If you wonder about commitment, how long it takes to read the Bible may surprise you.
What Is The Hardest Book To Read?
Readers most often name Revelation, Ezekiel, Leviticus and Job, though it depends on the person. Revelation is full of symbols, Leviticus is full of laws that seem far from us, and Job grapples with suffering. Leave them for later, and read them with a good guide when you get there.
What About Numbers Like 777?
Someone always asks this. The Bible does not call 777 the number of God. Seven is used often in Scripture to speak of completeness, and the triple repeat is a popular modern association rather than a biblical teaching. I address the question in What Does 777 Mean In The Bible? and, more broadly, in the guide to biblical numbers. The habit of reading hidden codes into numbers is one of the quickest ways to misread Scripture, which is why context matters so much.
Key Bible Verses About Understanding Scripture
- Psalm 119:105: God's word is a lamp for the feet and a light on the path
- Psalm 119:18: a prayer asking God to open your eyes to his law
- Proverbs 3:5-6: trust God rather than only your own understanding
- James 1:5: ask God for wisdom, and he gives generously
- Luke 24:27: Jesus explains the Scriptures as pointing to himself
- Acts 8:30-31: the Ethiopian needs someone to explain what he reads
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17: all Scripture is God-breathed and useful
- Deuteronomy 30:11: God's command is not too difficult or far off
Frequently Asked Questions
How do beginners read the Bible?
Begin with a Gospel such as Mark or John, read a short passage each day, and pray before you start. Write down what the passage says and what puzzles you. A reliable translation and a reading plan help you keep going.
Why is it so hard for me to understand the Bible?
The Bible is an ancient library with many kinds of writing, written in other languages and cultures. Add the fact that it confronts our hearts, and difficulty is normal. Context, good tools, church fellowship and prayer all help.
In what order should I read the Bible?
Most beginners do best starting with John or Mark, then Acts, then a letter like Romans, and only afterward Genesis and the rest of the Old Testament. There is a fuller plan in How To Read The Bible.
What is the hardest book to read in the Bible?
People most often point to Revelation, Ezekiel, Leviticus and Job. They contain symbols, laws or heavy themes that need background. Read them after you know the Gospels and the overall story.
What Bible should a beginner start with?
Choose a trustworthy translation you can actually read. The ESV and Christian Standard Bible stay close to the original wording, and the NIV reads smoothly. A study Bible adds notes that explain hard places. See Which Bible Should You Read?
Why is 777 the number of God?
The Bible does not teach that. Seven is often used for completeness, but 777 as a divine number is a modern idea. See What Does 777 Mean In The Bible?
