Do you know the three most important rules in real estate for determining the value of a house? They are location, location, location. Similarly, the three most important rules for Bible interpretation are context, context, context. Forget about Greek word studies, forget about seminary training. Go for the big picture! Look at the larger context of whatever verse you are reading and that will almost always give you the clues you need to interpret it properly.
Let me give you an example. One of the most comforting verses in the Bible (and my favorite verse) is Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Wonderful, isn’t it?
But it’s even more wonderful in context! Because if you keep reading, Paul the Apostle goes on to show how those who are called by God (those who become believers) are effectively called.
Meaning, if you are God’s, you will certainly make it to heaven. And that’s some prime real estate.
God will see to it. And if you read to the end of the chapter, Paul will drive the point home in other ways too. He wraps up the passage by saying that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.