I think one of the most important factors, as you're trying to interpret any passage of Scripture, is to check the cross-references. I think it was John MacArthur who told me years ago that he thought the most valuable English Bible study tool he had is a treasury of Scripture knowledge, which is essentially a book-length collection of cross-references on every verse in Scripture.

It always helps the interpreter to compare Scripture with Scripture, and the cross-references tell you, usually, where Scripture has said something similar or something that colors the meaning of this text. So I would never try to preach on a verse or study a passage of Scripture without actually consulting the cross-references.