Interpretation of the Scriptures - Arthur W. Pink

Contents:

Chapter 1 - The Need for Interpretation, Chapter 9 - Principles 10, 11, and 12 Chapter 17 - Principle 23
Chapter 2 - Requirements/Qualifications of the Would-be Interpreter Chapter 10 - Principles 13 and 14 Chapter 18 - Principles 24 and 25
Chapter 3 - Qualifications of Preachers and Teachers Chapter 11 - Principles 15 and 16 Chapter 19 - Principles 26 and 27
Chapter 4 - Principles 1, 2, and 3 (see table below) Chapter 12 - Principles 17 and 18 Chapter 20 - Principle 28
Chapter 5 - Principles 4 and 5 Chapter 13 - Principles 19 and 20 Chapter 21 - Principle 29
Chapter 6 - Principle 6 Chapter 14 - Principle 21 Chapter 22 - Principle 30, Parentheses, Italics, Conclusion
Chapter 7 - Principle 7 Chapter 15 - Principle 21 continued  
Chapter 8 - Principles 8 and 9 Chapter 16 - Principle 22  

* Chapter titles above are not from the book but added for ease of use.  Also, bolding has been added to the book text to assist on screen reading.

30 Principles for Interpreting Scripture

1. Recognize the interrelation and mutual dependence of the Old and New Testaments. 2. Observe the manner in which and the purpose for which the Old Testament is cited in the New. 3. Conform all our interpretations to the Analogy of Faith.
4. Pay close attention to the context. 5. Determine the scope of each passage. 6. Interpret Scripture by Scripture.
7. Interpret briefer statements by fuller ones. 8. Collect and collate all passages dealing with the same subject. 9. Present the two sides of every truth or doctrine.
10. See that the simple negative often implies, conversely, the positive. 11. Recognize the statements in the interrogative form that have the force of the emphatic negative. 12. Apply the right use of reason in connection with the things of God.
13. See the limitation of general statements. 14. See positive statements with a comparative force. 15. Recognize nonliteral language.
16. See the need for elucidation of the types (typology). 17. Adhere to simplicity in the exposition of the parables. 18. Recognize that the same words in various passages can have different meanings.
19. Determine the actual use of words in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. 20. Distinguish various meanings of the same word. 21. See the spiritual meaning of Scripture.
22. See the double reference and meaning. 23. Follow the law of order. 24. See the law of cause and effect.
25. Observe the law of emphasis. 26. Find out the origin of words. 27. Be aware of the law of comparison and contrast.
28. Follow the law of first mention. 29. See the law of progress. 30. Observe the law of full mention.

Conclusion:

"Now one or two brief observations and we conclude. The work of the expositor is to bring out the grammatical and spiritual meaning of each verse he deals with. In order to do that he must approach it without bias or prejudice, and diligently study it. He must neither assume that he knows its meaning nor take his doctrinal views from others. Nor is he to form his own opinions from a few detached verses, but carefully compare his ideas with the entire Analogy of Faith. Each verse requires to be critically examined, and every word thoroughly weighed. Thus he is to note the "is accepted" of Acts 10:35, and not "shall be," and the "are" (rather than "shall be") in Hebrews 3:6, 14—to change the tense mentally in those verses would inculcate false doctrine. Minute care is needed if we are to observe the "the Lord and Saviour" of 2 Peter 2:20 (not "their"), and the "our" and not "your" of 1 Corinthians 15:3. Finally, it is not the interpreter’s province to explain what God has not explained (Deut. 29:29), i.e., His "ways" (Rom. 11:33), miracles, etc."

The printed edition of this book also includes a scripture index and an index of author's cited.