I found this helpful when trying to understand Sola Scriptura

1. Sola Scriptura is an epistemological principle of norming. It is the PRINCIPLE by which interpretations, etc., will be normed to determine if they are correct. 2. Sola Scriptura is not a doctrine, although it flows from a understanding of Scripture as Authoritative, Divinely inspired, Apostolic, and True - a position held by nearly all Christians. 3. Sola Scriptura embraces Scripture as the norm rather than the self-same proponent of a teaching, claim, etc. The "norma normans" (the norm that norms) is Scripture. 4. Sola Scriptura does not dismiss or discount Tradition (it doesn't address that issue at all). But by place Scripture alone as the FINAL norm, it places it subject to Scripture - not Scripture subject to it. One's intepretation of Scripture (hermeneutics) is accountable to the words of Scripture, the text is not accountable to one's own interpretation of it. Most who embrace this principle of Sola Scriptura also embrace and esteem Tradition (as do I) - however Tradition is limited to hermeneutics and is not the norm or canon for itself (thus avoiding the purely circular, completely self-authenticating principle of Sola Ecclesia). 5. Sola Scriptura affirms and embraces accountability. It is in direct response the the epistemology that the self presenting a view is the "sole final arbiter" for the same self (when this self is a denomination, this is known as Sola Ecclesia), and that the basis (norm, canon, rule, standard) for this evaluation of what this denomination teaches is what this denomination teaches, and the evaluation on that basis is by the self-same denomination. Using this principle, there is no other possible function but that self will arbitrate self as correct according to self. Furthermore, the self-same denomination went on to proclaim that the product of this self evaluating self according to self is infallible and unaccountable. Should self be accountable only to self (Sola Ecclesia) or to an Authority above self (Sola Scriptura)? Is the Word of God subject to the words of self OR are the words of self subject to the Word of God? 6. Sola Scriptura as a principle of norming has two different approaches regarding the issue of use - the issue of WHO or WHAT may use this principle of norming. Some believe that the Scriptures are placed in our hands individually and so they stress study, prayer, the leading of the HS, with the goal of conviction. Others believe that the Scriptures are placed in our hands collectively - as the whole (catholic) church, and so while they too stress study, prayer and the leading of the HS, the goal is more consensus.