The paper describes some of the principles of early modern hermeneutics. The method of the first Protestant interpreters was total of History and Philology, similar to the method of humanists. The principle of verbal inspiration inevitably preferred the ancient original therefore required fluency in Hebraic and Greek. Instead, the principle of Scripture (sola scriptura) needed translation of God’s word in the vernacular, meant for everyone’s duty - regardless of their own education - to contact St. Bible Scripture and understand, not trusting its “adaptation” in Catholic tradition.. Thus Protestantism intensified public motivation to gain knowledge and the value of the individual and freedom as matters of faith (freedom of conscience).