How to Read the Bible?

Q & A with Fr Job:

Question: How should one correctly read the BIble and who can help me do so?

Answer: The reading of he Bible must begin with the Holy Gospel. It is essential all the while to use a commentary of the Holy Fathers and teachers of the Church: John Chrysostom, Augustine, Jerome, Ephraim the Syrian, Cyril of Alexandria, Euthyius Zigabenus, Theophylact the Bulgarian, and others. There is also the useful work of the Orthodox scholars Bishop Michael (Luzin), B. I. Gladkov, and others. Then move to a reading of the Acts of the holy Apostles and the apostolic epistles. During the reading of these books also use commentaries of the Holy Fathers and Orthodox authors. And only after having been confirmed in the knowledge of the Holy Scripture of the New Testament, approach the sacred books of the Old Testament. Then you will understand the Old Testament prophecies, symbols, and prefigurations. Then the deep meaning of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ will be opened to you: Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me (Jn 5:39).

A commentary on all the books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments was released in the beginning of the twentieth century (Tolkovaia Bibliia, St Petersburg, 1904-1913, volumes 1-11). This edition was reprinted for the Millenium of the Baptism of Russia (Tolkovaia Bibliia. Stockholm, 1987, volumes 1-3).