A few key principles of Bible study:
A verse taken out of context is a pre-text. Every scripture must be understood in the context in which it is written. You will often err to pull verses out and try to make them stand by themselves.
Scripture interprets scripture. A full understanding of any truth in scripture can only be understood along with other scriptures on the same or related subjects. Seek answers to your questions about passages or scriptures in scripture itself rather than going to commentaries, no matter how good the author is. It is better to seek to find your own answers in your own study. THEN go to the best commentaries to validate your own conclusions.
BECOME A SERIOUS STUDENT of the Bible on your own. Use footnotes, thesaurus, concordances. Learn to hear from God directly through His Holy Spirit, and then for confirmation and balance refer to godly and Christ-centered teachers.
Amen.
Amen. I would also say that 2 Timothy 2:15 is crucial to understanding God’s word.
God, through Paul, tells us HOW He wants us to study His word if we want to be approved unto Him, and not be ashamed as a WORKMAN for Him. It’s the only Scripture that does this.
I have the complete set of ‘ William Barclay’s’ (revised edition) Bible Commentary Study Series and actually find it enjoyable casual reading outside of just reference for study.
Before I retired I took a book to work for lunch break!