Consult Commentaries and Academic Journals for contextual interpretation
Determining “when” to consult a commentary is rather difficult. Some professors differ.
Consult commentaries and articles after interacting with the grammar, syntax, and discourse features of a text. This will aid how you interact with secondary literature.
Using a commentary will aid your process by making you aware of interpretive problems, demonstrating alternative positions, and providing further insight to exegetical questions.
Consult New Testament biblical theology books for theological integration.
Providing a verse-by-verse analysis is only part of the exegetical process.
Detailed analysis of the text will assist in constructing a whole bible theology but the exegete must put forth the effort to answer how the smaller parts relate to the greater whole, and vice-versa.
What is the History of Interpretation?
Observing how a given text has been interpreted throughout history will assist readers discover the meaning of texts.
Locating interpretive traditions can serve as boandaries for valid readings.