Part 6 The Principle of Correlation

Correlation is determining what God has said somewhere else in the Bible on the same subject or theme.  One dictionary defines correlation as: “To bring two or more things into relation with one another; the act of relating.”  This is an exciting and highly rewarding aspect of Bible study.  In scope it will range from relating one verse to another, to relating one paragraph to another, to relating the various chapters of a book to one another.  Since the Bible is truth, and all truth due to its divine origin is unified, it is important to relate various truths to one another.

This helps make the Scriptures coherent and helps you to be consistent with what the rest of the Bible says on any given subject.  Correlation also provides you with depth in what you’re studying as well as a plentiful source of illustrations from the Bible itself.

Researchers exploring the phenomenon of “eye contact” in conversation have found that it is difficult, if not impossible to sustain it for any length of time.  Special cameras used in their research revealed that what appears to be a steady gaze at someone is actually a series of rapid, repeated scans of the face, centering chiefly on the bridge of the nose, the eyebrows, and the mouth.  Not only is this typical, but it is essential.  The studies show that if we look precisely at the same spot continuously, the visual field will eventually go blank.  The nerves in the eye need a constant change of stimulation if we are to see properly.

We encounter a very similar problem in our study of the Bible.  If we get preoccupied with certain Bible passages and major on them while excluding other important verses, our spiritual vision will begin to blur.  Proper correlation in Bible study helps us to continually see what the rest of the Bible says without focusing solely on a particular passage.

Today we are going to look at four methods that are used in correlating the Bible.