Digging for Treasure: How to Unlock the Riches of God’s Word
Many people read the Bible. Few people mine it. Fewer still discover what Paul called the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:2–3); Yet, those treasures are available—not just to scholars, pastors, or seasoned Christians, but to every believer who wants to know God more deeply.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why Bible interpretation matters, what often gets in our way, and how six foundational steps can transform the way you approach Scripture for the rest of your life.
Why We Struggle to Understand the Bible
Most Christians genuinely love God’s Word, but love alone doesn’t guarantee clarity.
Every one of us comes to the Bible with something called preunderstanding—a mix of childhood memories, church experiences, cultural influences, assumptions, biases, and things we’ve heard or been taught. Before we ever read a verse, our mind is already filled with ideas about the Bible. Some of our preunderstandings are helpful, but some are harmful. Additionally, some are inherited without us even realizing it.
This is why two people can read the same passage in the Bible and walk away with completely different interpretations. The goal is not to erase your past, but to become aware of your preunderstanding so that Scripture—not your assumptions—gets the final say.
Truth Has Non-Negotiables
In a culture where “your truth” and “my truth” are treated as equal, Christians must settle what Scripture has already affirmed:
The Bible is true: fully, completely, without mixture of error.
“The law of the Lord is perfect… The testimony of the Lord is sure… The commandment of the Lord is pure… The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”
“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.”
“The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.” Titus 1:2
“…God, who cannot lie…”
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”
The Bible is God’s Word: authoritative, inspired, and final.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”
“No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation… but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword…”
“…you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the Word of God…”
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”
“If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book…”
“Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter… will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
When someone questions Scripture’s truthfulness, the best witness is Scripture itself. That’s not a flaw—it’s reality. When God speaks, there is no higher authority to appeal to.
Jesus Himself affirmed the authority of Scripture repeatedly. He taught from the Old Testament, quoted it, trusted it, and built His ministry on it. If the Son of God honored every word, believers must follow His lead.
Truth Has Non-Negotiables
Bible interpretation is a sacred task, and there are two drastically different ways to do it:
Eisegesis: Importing your ideas into the text. This leads to distortion, confusion, and error.
Exegesis: Drawing the meaning out of the text based on the author’s original intent.
In other words, we don’t get to decide what Scripture means. We discover what God already said. This requires time, tools, context, prayer, humility, and a commitment to truth—especially when the truth challenges us.
Hermeneutics simply refers to how we interpret the Bible. Good hermeneutics asks questions like:
- Who wrote this passage?
- Who was the audience?
- What genre is this book?
- What historical or cultural background shapes the message?
- How does this fit with the rest of Scripture?
It may sound academic at first, but it’s incredibly practical. Good hermeneutics protects you from false teachers, emotional interpretations, bad theology, and the temptation to make Scripture say what you wish it said instead of what God meant.
Good hermeneutics leads to freedom, clarity, and deep confidence in God’s Word.
You Are a Theologian (Whether You Feel Like One or Not)
A theologian is simply someone who thinks about God. That means every believer is a theologian—either a careful one or a careless one.
The more tools you have, the stronger your theology becomes:
- Bible dictionaries
- Commentary sets
- Concordances
- Study Bibles
- Online tools like Blue Letter Bible
These resources don’t replace Scripture; they help you dig deeper into it.
Learning to use them well turns Bible study from passive reading into a spiritually transformative pursuit.
Correct interpretation always leads somewhere: obedience
The Apostle James warns us not to be hearers only. Paul commended the Bereans for examining Scripture daily. Jesus said those who know His commands and do them are wise.
True Bible study changes your life! Your heart is changed through a renewed mind, a softened conscience, and a restored relationship with God:
- Your habits change from old patterns that are confessed and abandoned to new rhythms established.
- Your relationships change through humility, reconciliation, and grace becomes the basis of your life.
- Your decisions change from confusion to clarity, and wisdom replaces impulse.
The more you understand God’s Word, the more your life aligns with God’s will.
Digging for Treasure Is a Lifelong Journey
The Bible is so dynamic that children can understand concepts of honesty and love, and yet Bible scholars can spend a lifetime digging into the infinite wisdom of its passages.
Once you learn to study the Bible well—through exegesis, hermeneutics, context, and application—you discover that God’s Word is far richer, deeper, and more life-changing than you ever imagined!
You begin to see life in a new light.
You recognize false teaching more quickly.
You stop feeling intimidated by “difficult passages.”
You are confident in your ability to interpret Scripture for yourself.
And you grow to love the Author more with every page.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” There is no greater treasure than knowing God through His Word. And there is no better time to start digging than today!
What Next?
At Cornerstone College & Seminary, we equip Christian students to know the truth of the Bible. Through a literal, exegetical interpretation of the Scriptures, professors and students alike study the truth found in the infallible (incapable of being wrong), inerrant (without error), inspired (words directly from God), and unchanging Bible. What is the result? Transformed lives! Joyful lives! We have a great time in classes, feeding our minds and souls. Do you want more of that in your life? We are here for you. Reach out to us today. I love talking with people about the love of God, the transforming power of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the truth found in the Bible. Truth matters.
At Cornerstone, I am able to take courses at cheaper tuition rates than other colleges. Plus, the professors are very friendly and every class feels personal.
Daniel Gowaty CCS Student