The use of a language of words to convey meaning and to receive ideas is one of the most universal of all human practices. “Rules” for right reading (sometimes also called Hermeneutics) have been in use since Adam and Eve first received the power of speech. In Eden’s garden, they listened to the voice of God, and spoke with Him, and each spoke to and listened to the other. And they understood one another.Christ´s Call is for us to read, believe, understand, and OBEY His Word.
ALL men understood one another (and spoke a common, shared language) until after the world-wide flood of Noah’s time, and up to the time when some men were caused to “babble.” At the tower of Babel, God caused various groups of men to no longer be able to communicate freely with one another. Ever since, there have been a multiplicity of languages on earth, and those who do not know the language we know find communication with us difficult or impossible. And yet it’s true that –
CORRECT (proper) METHODS and good practices in use and understanding of language are natural to the human mind. They are used by everyone who really wants to find out just what someone was thinking and trying to communicate in any speech or piece of writing. If our eyes, ears, and hearts are open we will understand those who are able to and choose to communicate with us clearly in language known by us who hear or read. Our particular subject here is a book which claims to be from God. If a person claims to speak for God, should you believe him? You’ll often be wrong if you do! Some people sometimes lie, and some prefer lies over the truth anytime.
Is the Bible from God?
The Bible includes instructions claiming to have absolute authority to enlighten and rule our lives. It appeals to our judgment to discriminate between its true words and conflicting writings which are not true. In the Bible itself and in the manner of its origin, God gives reasonable evidences and testimonies that enable persons who will do so to decide intelligently concerning its source and authority.
Some say that all Bible statements must be discovered by scientific method, proved by rational processes, or confirmed by results in practice before they can be regarded as authoritative or established truth. This is simply a demand that God must not be greater than man, and that He must not reveal anything man could not find out for himself with his own closely-limited and earthbound senses. Yet men are only men.
It’s not because we’ve tested each Bible statement to be sure we find it true that we believe the Bible is God’s book. How could we possibly perform such tests? What human was there to observe when the world began? Or what man can realistically know what another man is thinking? What man can reliably know the future? Bible writers could and did. We believe that the One who was there when this universe was made has in the Bible told us truly of those incredible events. And of many other improbable things, past and future, which we believe are true because the Bible says they are!
When God, by special enlightenment through His Spirit, reveals things which eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and which never entered into the heart of man (1 Corinthians 2:6-16), it is foolish and irreverent to try to prove whether God told the truth. It’s unreasonable to expect the scope of human (finite) experience and reason to provide the proof of (infinite) things reaching far beyond both human reason and human experience. It would be thoroughly irreverent and unbelieving for me to question the truth of any message after I have assured myself that it is from the One who made me. If a message truly comes from God, we may be sure that, in the sense that He meant it, the message is unfailingly true.
A revelation of authoritative and infallible truth gives us a degree and kind of certainty which could never be approached by the incomplete inductions and the fallacy-ridden experiments of scientific methods. The fact that such a revelation HAS been made is established by the best combination of many independent evidences, both of experience and reason. Several of these will be mentioned in this brief study. By the way, we note that God doesn't invite humans to vote on what is right and what is wrong in moral matters. He tells us what is right and what is wrong. HE made the “laws” of nature. To learn what is right for us to do or not right for us to do, instead of asking our neighbors, we should know to ask God (who made us). Then if we are wise, we will do what we understand God says we should do.
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Part 2 of 13
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Men who wrote different parts of the Bible were in most cases unaware that they were writing for posterity. Their audience was by them thought to be persons near them and persons who were alive to read right then or soon after their missive was penned. Without consulting together, they managed to write cohesive truth. Uninspired men are not apt to easily accomplish this very well even when a committee of 30 might gather at one time around one table to work on just one simple project. A strong reason why I’m convinced the Bible is God’s Word is its unity in purpose (its coherence).
Miracles, prophecies, claims, scope, unity amid diversity, candor of judgment, and the unique character of the Bible message...these all plainly indicate that this book is from some higher source than men unaided.
When GOD speaks, every man should listen! His words count for more than even good financial advice which affects only our money. Those who listen to God learn of the dangers men face who “know to do good, and do it not.”
In human language, Almighty God has spoken to us. He calls on us to hear and heed what He, because He loves us, has caused to be said. Hearing is just making the right choices about what we give our attention to. We generally “tune out” many more things than we choose to notice and “hear.” The Bible claims to be from Jehovah God who made the world and all that’s in it. Jesus, who says He also is God, invites us to walk with Him on the only Way which leads to God. Wise people (we all are called homo sapiens) will use their minds to investigate the Bible’s claims!
Yet it’s well that we remember that human wisdom and logic is helpless to determine the right answers to some questions. We should note that no method of science or philosophy can prove [or disprove] some statements which are of central importance in Bible study. For instance:
Those who become convinced that the Bible is a word from the Creator should of course use their best efforts to correctly understand God’s message. Then we should live accordingly!
We have now said that —
Part 3 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Let’s talk about using human reason in understanding the Bible. There are guides to right reading which we correctly call, “Rules for Right Reading.” Lovers of freedom resist rules, but often we each do need them! Anarchy is the absence of rules.
Writers and speakers do well to follow rules of grammar. Readers and hearers also follow sensible rules to assist us in correct understanding (interpreting the intended meaning) of what is said or written. We note that good reading rules make good sense. Rules we here consider are thought to be merely methods every person uses to gain correct understanding of whatever the person reads or hears. These are principles based upon the nature of the human mind and upon the nature of truth. They are, in fact, inherent in the very structure of language itself.
Any rule for right reading should be logically analyzed and tested by use in subject matter as free from prejudice as possible. Sometimes the effect of emotional bias, the influence of bad examples, the fog of superstition, or some other circumstance, interferes with our normal thought processes, or hinders our usual intellectual honesty. Especially then, in order that we may by them be guided back to straight thinking, we need to consider what principles and methods have been generally found to lead to correct understandings of messages men hear or read.
Then, to correctly understand the Bible, we must diligently read and study the BIBLE! As with any newspaper, magazine, or book, we’ll surely not understand it if we don't carefully read and study the Bible itself. In His book, God has addressed the human mind in its natural state, in its own language, with its own terminology and speech forms. It’s not gobbledygook that can only be understood by the initiates. Understanding God’s written Word is not an esoteric art known only to experts or mystics who have been initiated into the mysteries of the art!
I note that some literary works which are called Bible translations DO qualify as gobbledygook by seeming more to transform the text than to translate it into understandable common speech. This is less apt to be the case when the work is done by many (a committee working together) rather than by only one real or pretended “scholar.”
There are Bible translations into most languages which literate readers can with few difficulties understand. Translations made hundreds of years ago are recognizably harder to be understood by readers who speak modern languages. The Bible has been considered so different in authority and purpose that methods of interpreting its meaning have been proposed for it which no one would ever use for understanding other plain messages. Because they are not governed by and limited to the actual forms of language used to express the author’s ideas, unique methods of study seeking meanings just for the Bible could not be expected to yield right results.
Instead of seeking the author’s intention, some “special” methods for understanding draw upon the imagination of the reader (or some other outside source of ideas) to supply meanings that the author’s words themselves do not clearly signify when studied with normal application of common-sense rules for right reading. The Bible is no more difficult to understand correctly than your daily newspaper. In many cases the writers of the Bible are more easily understood than some who frequently write opinion pieces in our newspapers. In particular, the New Testament writings are a clear Word from God inviting sinners to salvation. We should read the Bible seeking light from God. Light’s there for the finding.
The Bible is GOD’s Word. It says our God loves us and wants to save us from sin and death. Not a toy for children to play with, the Bible instead is a tool for serious adults to use in seeking to know God and His will for our lives. The Bible calls for all Christians to love one another and to serve God in one body. Many Christians today ignore this truth. But ignoring it will not make truth go away.
We will be judged by how we lived on earth and whether or not we followed the Word which can be found in the Bible. Those who want to pass life’s final exams will surely study the Bible with enthusiasm, eagerly seeking to learn more each day.
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God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
They think of 2 Peter 1:19-21, where Peter writes: 19) And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20) Above all, you must understand that no scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV).
In some translations, such as the Contemporary English Version (CEV), verse 20 emphasized above is not so clear or correct as it is in the NIV first quoted. The CEV rendering is: “But you need to realize that no one alone can understand any of the prophecies in the scriptures,” which seems to imply need for the reader to be inspired.
It would be a mistake in this case to assume the newer version is the better. It isn’t. It appears to me that the verse following, when taken with verse 20, sheds light on the intent of Peter in verse 20. He was referring to the one making the prophecy rather than those of us who later hear and/or read the prophetic word.
Even without special divine guidance, readers who follow common-sense rules for right reading can and will understand what God caused the prophet to say. I think Peter did not intend us to understand him to be saying that the Bible can’t be understood by ordinary readers. But those who wrote or spoke for God could do so only after they had heard God’s voice telling them what message they were to deliver in His name. Those who spoke and wrote for God did so only after HE had told them what He wanted said. This is Peter’s message in 2 Peter 1:19-21. Seth Wilson comments,
“PETER here is speaking of the origin of prophecies, of the writing, not the reading of them. His parallel expression in verse 21 plainly shows this to be true. The language in verse 20 is best understood to mean, No prophecy of scripture is of the prophet’s own releasing (prompting, or impulse)."
Another passage on this same subject is in Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 (actually this subject begins in chapter 1, verse 18). It’s the wisdom of GOD rather than the wisdom of MEN which is source for gospel truth. He wants readers then and now to realize that we walk by faith rather than by sight, and that it’s GOD we honor and learn from. Paul writes,
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him,” but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned....
Paul says, “WE speak …” Who does he mean by “we”? To whom does the Spirit reveal mysteries of God? Does Paul mean listeners and readers need special guidance in order to receive and understand God’s Word? Some do think so. See Section 5.
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Part 5 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
"This view is shown by the context both before and after the verses, and it is in harmony with all the scriptures which call upon men, women, children, masters, and slaves, to read the scriptures for themselves without any reference to special spiritual qualifications. In fact, it is the same message, whether spoken or written, which is the instrument of the Spirit in convicting the world and converting the carnal mind."
I also believe that the gospel, whether oral or written, is the power of God to salvation, as is here affirmed. Bible writers were inspired. Bible readers can understand what was written.
How could the Bible serve as the instrument of convicting and converting if it took a special power from God before the reader could understand its message? I believe it could not do so. Yet we can’t understand the Bible without in some way either hearing or reading it.
Bible stories include (in quotes and reports) words of crooks and scoundrels as well as those of God and good men and women. When the Devil’s words are reported, does this mean he was speaking truth? By no means! Some Bible words are true. Some are not. Right reading requires us to determine then, even in the Bible, WHO is speaking, and WHEN. The words are important, but even more important is the who, when, and why.
In 66 separate Bible books, we read of events spanning the creation of the world and its dissolution. Some of those events may be considered more important than others. Obviously, some words are more important than other words. And some words which were very important to other people may be relatively unimportant to us today. The most important to us are ones applying to us. Of lesser interest should be words which applied to other people and only indirectly (if at all) to us.
Studying the Old Testament is a matter of history. We profit from studying history, but people today are expected to live by the teachings of the New Testament. It’s Jesus who gives life. The Old Testament says He will come. In the New Testament He is revealed!
Understanding God’s Word is merely reading it so as to grasp fully and accurately what the author thought he expressed. If we by reading get as much thought from the author's mind as he intended to convey by his words, we have read well. We then have fulfilled the purpose of our reading the inspired Word –- to pull out (exegete) the intended meaning. We have no business putting words in the author’s mouth by claiming he said more than he said, or by omitting part of his message that we don’t agree with or like, or by saying his words mean whatever we want them to mean!
Many in our day don’t like what Peter said (Luke reported it in Acts 2:38) on the first Pentecost in church history. But that’s what he said just the same. We should learn to LIKE what God’s men have said and written. We should accept what the Bible says is true, and ALL it says is true, as God’s truth!
The only true (correct and proper) meaning of any Bible passage is whatever the author intended to say. Bible writers are not mystery writers, seeking to withhold the “answer” from the reader until the final page, nor seeking by Delphic utterance to give many conflicting answers in one. Meanings men read into the Bible rather than read from the Bible are not Bible words at all.
Even when it is used to express divine truth, the language of the Bible is the language of men, and was meant to be understood. God is able to communicate to man. His words then, can be understood and surely will be understood by sensible men who want to correctly understand them. Yet many do manage to not properly understand God’s words!
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Part 6 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
To correctly understand the Bible, we DO need to:
For this reason, the reader who would correctly understand diverse writings must have a broad and accurate understanding of words and how they are being used. If he/she does not (and even sometimes when the person does have this knowledge) ridiculous and amusing, or sometimes tragic, misunderstandings occur.
To know how words should be used, the most accurate and complete dictionaries are helpful. But they must be supplemented by continual observation of the various uses being made in the public arena of words in our own language. Investigation of (Bible) word meanings must be made from the point of view of the AUTHORS of passages under consideration. We should give attention to the author’s special uses, and to all uses nearest him in time, in territory, and in subject matter.
The writer’s own explanation of his language is final and sufficient. It must not be ignored by those who honestly wish to correctly understand what was said. Words of the writer’s original expression in his own language are always surer evidence of his meaning than words of any translation. Our knowledge of word use gained from study of past usage and of word origins (etymology) of words in a translation must not be substituted for etymologies of words in the original language. If we want to study the Bible well, we may need to study the Hebrew and Greek languages used by its authors!
A caution – some “experts” have an axe to grind. The meanings they allege for any word should be accepted only if other reputable (genuine) scholars agree with the “expert.”
Word meanings may be indicated, limited, or affected otherwise, by any or all of the following particulars: Who wrote this? About what? In what form? To whom? When was it written (under what covenant)? Under what personal circumstances? With what helps? For what purpose? With what special knowledge of the persons to whom the writing is addressed? With what related facts that the readers might be expected to know?
Seth Wilson puts it this way, “Words are the bricks and boards of which a house of meaning is built. Grammar is the design by which these are put together to create a house rather than a heap. What the author thinks and feels about the things designated by his words is shown by the grammar he uses. Even people who think they know no grammar do grasp the meaning of the most usual and simple grammatical constructions, or they would not be able to read and speak the language.” So what about Bible words?
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Part 7 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Dictionaries include listings of normal usages of words there listed. Codes are when some choose to use words abnormally, with meanings different from the usual and accepted. Some segments of society make use of coded speech. By using words with different and unusual meanings known only to the initiates, they disguise their thought from others they want to confuse. But that’s not normal. Normally we want our hearers to understand, so we use words in known ways.
God speaks to Bible readers in human languages, expecting to be understood. Therefore, persons who know the language in which it is given, and know facts presupposed to be familiar to original readers, should be able to understand the Bible with the same abilities by which they ordinarily understand all other written messages. God's words have only ONE intended meaning, so if we each understand the Bible correctly, our understandings will be alike except for differences in the degree of fullness of our conception.
Because they lack experience, children may not fully understand teachings on matters which many adults comprehend because they’ve lived through what the child has not yet experienced. And not all adults have reached the same age or level of maturity! Each person is unique. God has given a written word which can be understood by simple students and which yet challenges the intellect of the most profound thinkers. We learn by experience. Some learn more quickly than others.
It may be that only those who have suffered the loss of a mate or a child will fully understand some of God’s consolation in the Bible. The more deeply we study some themes, the more we may comprehend of truth that was always there but that we earlier failed to see. We should always be willing to study and learn more. How grand it is that some do eagerly “search the scriptures” wanting to learn lessons from God! Note that the better understanding we gain of words, the more apt we are to be able to correctly understand what others say or write. One who often speaks is most apt to listen well when others speak. One who is master of words is most apt to understand why particular words were chosen or not chosen for this particular use.
We're proud of our children when they learn a new word (generally –- some we’d rather they hadn’t learned, of course). Pride turns to dismay if they don’t soon start to string their words together into sentences. “Mommy” becomes “Mom, may I?” “Dad” turns to “Dad, may I use the car tonight?” Whether or not we always like what they choose to say, we’re proud when our children have learned to communicate their thought in understandable words and sentences.
In our schools, we teach thoroughly and thoughtfully both vocabulary and how words are correctly used. We who sincerely want to understand the Bible are sure to study to learn the difference between nouns, verbs, and other parts of speech, and we’ll study to learn how words are used to clearly communicate the thoughts of those who speak and write. It’s not terribly difficult to learn good grammar. Poor knowledge of grammar will detract from our communicating with others, and seriously hamper right reading.
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Part 8 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Not that the ideas are always foreign. Think of the word, “justification.” It’s one that modern translators are apt to consider too “difficult” for modern readers. But even young children may be called on to “justify” some act they thought no one would notice, and they learn the concept of justifying what they’ve done. “Justification” is not far from “justifying,” so the concept is not all that difficult for most readers.
“Grace” is not an unused word apart from the Bible, but is more frequently used there. Some want to reduce Bible vocabulary by omitting all specialized words entirely. And that’s not necessary.
Most people who have studied a foreign language can remember instances of students (perhaps themselves) being able to give a meaning for every word in a sentence to be translated, and yet being unable to put together the author’s thought. What the student lacked was the ability to perceive the relation of the words to each other, and the meaning indicated by those relations. The “grammar” escaped the student.
In different USES of a word, there is meaning beyond the basic meaning of the word itself. Those who want to be good students of the Bible need to study language as well as vocabulary. Since we want to properly understand, we should study word relations as much as necessary in order to see and accept the grammar used by Bible writers.
Grammar is studied and taught in language courses. This brief study is not a language course. We have pointed out the importance of words, and the necessity of understanding relationships of words to one another. A word’s meaning is seen in every different voice, mood, tense, number and person of the verb, and in every other inflection of any part of speech. It seems likely that any person who wants to correctly handle the Word of Truth may both examine how words are used, and also eagerly study the grammar which helps provide the key to right reading. Then we see the words used WITH those we seek to understand -– after grammar, next the context.
We’ve pointed out that language consists of relationships of words working together. Proper understanding calls for us to not apply an author’s words to something far from the author’s purpose and thought. We have no right to misapply (misappropriate) a passage to try to make it seem to say what was not the intent of the writer. We’ll remember that our purpose is to learn what the writer meant -– not to put anyone’s thoughts into the Bible (to create new ideas), but to receive thoughts out of the Bible. As students, our goal is to learn rather than to teach.
By means of careful attention to the paragraph, section, chapter, or book in which any expression occurs, we learn to –- 1) determine the subject on which the author is speaking, 2) follow the author’s course of thought, 3) find the author’s purpose for each word or phrase, 4) feel the author’s own places and matters for emphasis, and 5) see the author’s mental or expressed antitheses – so that the exact sense of the words is shown by the way they fit together. For our proper understanding, we seek to discover what the author considers the opposite of what is said or written.
A context which helps our understanding may be remote from the focus of attention, especially (with Paul) in the case of intervening digressions. The full context will usually supply some of the historical facts we also need to consider. For the context to be properly helpful to our understanding, we must be able to determine what exactly IS the context of any particular word or phrase. Some isolated passages (as many proverbs, for example) may have no context on the same subject. While some contexts are quite limited, or nonexistent, others are extended even to the full length of a book or related books by the same author.
Grammar is how words are brought together to express complete thoughts. Context is where and how the thoughts fit with one another.
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Part 9 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Two suggestions may prove helpful toward proper understanding in such cases – 1) Passages which are obscure or capable of more than one meaning must be understood to agree with those which are clear and definite in meaning. and 2) Those which are general or incomplete in expression must be considered to include or make room for all specific statements on the same subject by the same or any other inspired writer.
We Compare LIKE Passages
Every Bible verse must be allowed to stand and speak its part and never be completely overshadowed or ever denied by another Bible verse. There is some danger in seeking meaning too exclusively by means of parallels. Every passage must be read as fully as possible in its own context, and by its own wording, or we cannot even tell whether another passage IS parallel with it.
One passage cannot be a guide to, or a limitation on, the meaning of the other, unless they treat of the same subject! The same WORD may not always be the SAME word. Even when the same words may be prominent in two passages, they may still NOT be on the same specific subject. For example, consider the word faith in Romans 10:17 and in Romans 14:23.
Romans 10:17 “Faith comes from hearing...”
Romans 14:1,2,23 “Accept him whose faith is weak... Whatsoever is not of faith is sin....”
“Faith” in Romans 10:17 refers to what we believe about God and His revealed message. That’s what comes from hearing. In Romans 14, Paul speaks of conscience and what we think is right or wrong for us or others to do or not do. We sin when we do what we think is wrong for us to do. Or, of course, when we fail to do what we're sure we ought to do.
Conscience is not based solely on perceived revelation. But “faith” to save us comes by our believing what God says. Following our conscience is different from accepting as true what God tells us by His Word. A syllogism (logical expression aiming to provide proof for a true result) using “faith” from Romans 10 and Romans 14 as if it had the same meaning in both passages cannot produce correct results.
Paul addresses this difference in Romans 2:12-16. He clearly points out that men who have done what they thought was wrong (they’ve offended against their conscience) will be held guilty even if they had not heard God’s law against their wicked deeds.
In Romans 14, Paul speaks of “disputable” matters, questions of conscience which often trouble Christians who are eager to please God in everything they do. It’s not about church meetings, but about daily living. And Paul encourages them by letting them know that only when God has spoken to say a thing is wrong is it really wrong for those whose conscience is clear. Yet, he says, if a person thinks any action is wrong, that makes it wrong for that person. But not for his friend and neighbor unless the friend or neighbor also feels it is wrong.
What God tells us is wrong is of course always wrong regardless of how we feel or what we think about it! Yet through exhortations encouraging or discouraging particular acts and motives, He DOES tell us what is wrong.
Those are mistaken who think that Paul was teaching that our conscience should only be clear on matters which are specifically or inferentially taught as being necessary parts of Christian living. That’s not his subject in Romans 14. Yet many construct doctrinal systems based on the supposed truth that only what is taught in the Bible is acceptable to God. A real knowledge of any Bible subject is formed by observing and comparing all Bible statements relating to that subject, which is by a true inductive investigation of all the available truth.
We repeat – To properly understand the Bible, we should always:
1) Recognize the meaning of the words as used by the author.
2) Accept the grammatical structure of the sentences as written.
3) Read each passage in the light of its context.
4) Take into account all known relevant historical circumstances.
5) Find the meaning which harmonizes with parallel passages, and agrees with all Bible teaching on the same subject.
And thus we’ve again stated five “rules” for right reading. In these last days, God has spoken to men through His unique Son, Jesus Christ. As earth’s moon reflects earth’s sun, the Bible reflects God’s Son. The Bible is not a NEW book, but was written “long ago and far away.”
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Part 10 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Through the ages since Bible books were written, men of God have made strenuous efforts to preserve the exact text of books known to be from God. Scribes of the Jews kept the Old Testament books carefully, copying the books repeatedly by hand with scrupulous checking and rechecking to avoid introduction of any errors.
Prior to the introduction of the printing press, copying was always done by hand. Despite the best efforts of the copyists, sometimes errors were made. Many recent scholars have attempted to determine what the originals actually said.
An amazing number of very old manuscripts and manuscript portions of the Bible have been preserved. Although we do not have the original “autographs,” (the actual first writings that were made), we believe that our present texts are actually what the original writers put on their pages. We can read what God caused his men to write. And we will be blessed by the reading.
Our Translated ENGLISH Bibles -- Bibles in English are all translations. Old Testament books were mainly written in Hebrew, and New Testament books, in Greek. The latest Bible book was probably written before the year 100 A.D. No Bible book was written in English, or Spanish, or French, or German, or even Latin (early Italian).
Of course, for our study of the Bible we seek the most accurate and clear translation that can be made. Since the Bible was written in different languages than English, those who don’t speak and read the original languages must rely on translators to put the original thoughts into English words which we ordinary (non-scholarly) readers of English will understand as the writer intended them to be understood.
It’s important then that we read and study from translations made by honest and intelligent and capable persons who succeed in conveying to us God’s meaning in words that we can correctly comprehend. When our purpose is correct understanding, the right words are important!
Note also that words may change in meaning over the years. A translation that was good for our grandparents may be very poor for their grandchildren. New words come into use. Old words may no longer be used. The way a word is used may change. Recent translations are apt to reflect those changes. Older ones couldn’t possibly do so.
In the late 20th century, as this is written, many Christians who speak English, and many of their preachers and teachers have accepted the New International Version (NIV) as a generally accurate and acceptable translation for our day. NIV translators continue revising that text, and now seem to want to make later versions of it gender neutral (switching from a man to a “person” for instance in some cases, and to men and women when only men are mentioned). If this is done, lovers of God may no longer choose to recommend or use the NIV.
For good reasons, others prefer the Today’s English Version (TEV, of the American Bible Society). And Seth Wilson highly recommends the New American Standard Bible (NASB). There are several other good translations into English, and a few that are less good. You may want to check out the New King James Version (NKJV).
Best are ones made by a committee rather than by one scholar, and ones made by independent scholars rather than a group whose work is directed by one particular denomination. The personal library of any Bible student is apt to include several translations which are frequently consulted.
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Part 11 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Does God inspire prophets today? We believe any prophetic message which contradicts Bible truths was and is NOT from God. We see no proof that any modern prophets have been inspired by God.
Modern interpreters of past prophets come up with often-startling suggested meanings, some of which are obviously incorrect. Those who assign a date for the 2nd coming have all been wrong so far. Has Revelation’s beast been correctly identified yet? Or “the anti-Christ”? Many have made guesses and called them inspired understandings. But if the guess turns out to be wrong, we all will know it was only a guess. If it was right it still may have been a guess, of course. The surest guide to the exact meaning of any prophecy is to be found in the facts of the clearly identified fulfillment of the prediction. When Luke says, “This is what Joel was speaking of…” then we can know that the events Luke describes were what God had in mind when He had Joel speak.
When Matthew, Mark, or Luke tells us that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in a particular way, we can be sure that the inspired writer is accurately stating the intent of the prophet. When Jesus says that the prophetic “sign of Jonah” is to be fulfilled by His being in the tomb, we may be sure that the duration and fact of Jesus being in His tomb for parts of three days was known by God when this “sign of Jonah” was first spoken of.
Fulfilled prophecy helps us to realize that the Bible contains God’s words – words from One who knows all things even before they come to pass.
Figurative Is NOT Literal -- Words are sometimes used figuratively to designate something quite different from what they usually name, but suggesting some vivid association between the literal and the figurative. If Jesus says He is a door, a gate, or a vine, He does not mean He has ceased being a person. When He asks His friends to eat of particular bread which He identifies as “my body,” He does not mean that He is no longer in His body. Or when a hungry man says, “I’m starved,” we realize he has not really starved. He’s only exaggerating. He’s not exactly lying. But his exact words are understandably not entirely true in their usual meaning.
If ordinary, well-established meanings fit the words and phrases of the passage being read, readers should not assume a figurative meaning, or any new meaning, was intended by the writer. We can usually tell easily whether or not the normal word definitions are intended. We let the speaker or writer convey his thought by sympathetically understanding his/her intention.
It’s really true that –- To correctly and properly understand what others write, readers should – 1) Recognize the meaning of the words as used by the author. 2) Accept the grammatical structure of the sentences as written. 3) Read each passage in the light of its context. 4) Take into account all relevant historical circumstances. And 5) Find the meaning which harmonizes with parallel passages, and agrees with all other teaching on the same subject.
We’ve here stated five “rules” for right reading. Bible readers can and should keep these rules in mind. This will help us do the proper Bible understanding we want to do! You’re correct in noticing that the only thing here said so far about historical circumstances is that they mustn’t be ignored. The context is apt to mention them if they’re pertinent.
Following next (part 12) are comments about implications and inferences. Speakers do sometimes imply things they don’t directly say. Yet many Bible students infer doctrines they say are Bible doctrines but which are not really taught by Bible writers. Some are guilty of reading into Bible passages teachings which are only there in the reader’s imagination.
to INDEX
Part 12 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
Note that in drawing even the most simple inferences, our accuracy depends upon the correctness of our understanding of the original statement, not as it appears we may use it, but exactly as the author intended his words to be understood. It’s not RIGHT reading to dodge the clear, immediate inference of any truth or command given us by God. Neither, however, should we suppose that the inference WE have read into the writer’s words must be similarly understood by every other reader. Some readers get carried away!
Inferences are binding on the conscience of the person who sees them. Yet inferences drawn from the Bible but not stated in the Bible must be regarded as human statements liable to human error. To what extent should our inferences be considered equal in authority to what God has actually said? Not at all. The Bible doesn't need our additions! Our inferences must not be made tests of fellowship to separate ourselves from others who cannot see our inferences as the real meaning of divine utterances. We should be careful to NOT misuse inferences!
It is often true that errors are committed in the use made of passages or phrases to construct conclusions or systems of doctrine. Such errors are not based on simple reading of the Word. The error is in our use of what we read. Many sincere Bible readers seem able to put 2 and 2 together and get 7 if they feel the 7 is devout enough! Others add 2 and 2 and get 22. But the correct answer is still 4.
Any Bible student may find these suggestions helpful. An application of RIGHT READING follows in Section 13.
to INDEX
Part 13 of 13 —
God Gave His WORD — Christ Calls US to Read, Believe, and Seek to Understand the Bible (God’s Written Word). Please read and consider —
These Bible students are apt to think God is much more interested in what we do when we’re together than during the much longer periods when we’re alone with Him or busy in daily life. No such emphasis is found in the New Testament. To such readers, the New Covenant is only another law code. It’s just like the Old Testament as they see it except that the laws are not spelled out clearly by God. It’s up to their editors and designated experts to tell everyone exactly what the new law requires. They’ve developed a “Christian law code” in which whatever is not required is not permitted.
Their understanding is that if Jesus or His apostles say to do a thing, we must without exception do it. If they didn’t say we had to do it, unless they speak approvingly of others doing it, we don’t dare do it. Unless, that is, their “lawyers” can cause the Bible to seem to say what they want it to have said to forbid or to require any particular teaching or practice.
If they want them to be so, inferences are necessary. Examples are “binding” if they want them to be. It seems that any Bible passage means whatever they want it to mean. This is not good reading, nor in fact is it the Christianity of the Bible. Many religions, including the Jewish religion, are based on legalism, but the gospel of Christ is not a code of law.
Paul sums up our religion by pointing out three abiding characteristics of Christianity, which are faith, hope, and love. He says, “The greatest of these is love.” That’s LOVE, not law. And that’s Christianity! Rather than having earned salvation by our good works, we’re saved by grace through faith FOR good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Rules for RIGHT reading (in other words, proper Bible understanding) lead us to an understanding of the gospel which is quite different from a code of law. Jesus gave no code of laws. His apostles gave no code of laws. Those who prefer to live by law create their own rules and regulations. No code of laws is contained in the New Testament, but men have created many laws out of phrases and inferences from that text.
Paul encourages us to realize that the gospel sets us free. It gives us life. It causes us to love God and to love all who are loved by Him. Legalism does none of the above! Any Bible reading we do which leads us to love ourselves and our thoughts and our practices and our ways, and to despise those who do not also love us supremely, is somehow skewed. It’s not right.
Whatever our rules for reading were, we’ve not read the Bible rightly if our reading makes us think of ourselves (and/or our logic and/or our opinions) more highly than we ought to think. If we choose to follow them, Seth Wilson’s rules proposed and presented in this study will lead us to right reading, which should lead to right understanding and, if our heart is good, to right living. This will take us all (together, in unity) to glory with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We need to read the Bible more, and then put its clear (proper) teachings into practice in our lives. This will result in our having LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE in our hearts.
Right reading of the Bible is also apt to give us a strong desire to be in unity here on earth with all others who also love Jesus. This is “proper” Bible understanding!
And now that you know all ABOUT the Bible, of course you’ll want to get busy reading THE BIBLE. If you choose to read it through, it’s best to not seek exact understandings of such things as lists of people’s names before moving on to other parts of the Word. The Word of God contains some things which challenge the minds of those who know God best. It also contains mostly simple truths which we all can easily see and understand, and the more we do read, the more we WILL properly understand of God’s truth. If the Bible were written for school children to fully understand, where would the challenge be for scholars?
*** And here’s a thought from Steven Clark Goad on the subject of QUARRELS About Words. — Paul wrote – “He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments that result in envy, quarreling, malicious talk, evil suspicions …” (1 Timothy 6:4). Was he writing about US?
WORDS are important. I know that. Language evolves. I know that also. So the serious Bible student must desire to understand what the old Koine Greek means in today’s language and idioms. I do know that. Yet, sometimes, because words ARE so important, we become distracted from something that is even MORE important, namely 1) peace, 2) the unity of the Spirit, and 3) love of the brethren. It seems ironic that the Bible God gave us to explain His love toward us is the very same tool some use to try to destroy that love. Theologians wrangle over words. Envy and strife develop because we can’t settle on harmonious definitions of words. We argue and spend much time on inconsequentials!
Meanwhile, we are advised, “Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).
Some in the fellowship of Jesus almost appear to make “the Word” their God. We dismiss the work of the Holy Spirit as “only through the Word.” We confine the Word to an Elizabethan language not currently spoken anywhere in the world, and then wonder why we don’t convert more people to our practices. Are we trying to convert sinners to Jesus, or to our special translation and interpretations? The Bible is not our God. Our Father is! The Bible is not our Savior. Jesus is! The Bible is not the Holy Spirit. Paul describes it as the “sword” of the Spirit.
Do we quarrel over matters that don’t matter? Paul’s advice to an early evangelist was, “Warn them before God about quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Timothy 2:14b). Many in this world die without Christ while we who are the elect of God split hairs over trifles. Paul’s good advice continues, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23).
*** << Bible study should bring us together as ones who love and serve Jesus Christ. Shall we not keep in mind this goal as we study? Aware of the danger in being dogmatic, shall we not seek to find every truth that should draw us together, and then often remind ourselves (and all other Christians) of these truths? >>
