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The Explanation of Scripture
Today we must return to some basics to distinguish what we say when we say it. We must define what is meant by what we actually are saying. Let me speak about the gospel for the present. It did not change or was altered by God in any way or point. It is still the same: “the power of God unto salvation both to the Jew and to the gentile.” What is important to know is that when looking at Scripture one not only must interpret Scripture in the light of the whole revelation of Scripture itself, or even in its context, because Scripture taken out of context become a pretext, but also in the light of history, how others throughout church history interpret Scripture. If what I say is not in harmony with what others have said concerning the same things and they all agreed and I don’t, then someone is probably wrong. And they cannot all be wrong. We need a return to the doctrine of the Apostles and the teaching and life’s of those who went before us. We do not live in some isolation all by our own, left to our own abilities and mental powers to interpret what God have revealed. This is essential. We live with a great surrounding cloud of witnesses whose life’s and doctrine we need to take heed of.
“THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, …” (Hebrews 12:1 Amp)
We have come to the end of this dispensation. We are part of the whole and not the whole itself. We have become partakers of a common and already existing substance; we are by no means the substance itself. Today more increasingly, you find groups, cells, fellowships, everyone with something else or some emphasis on some specific doctrine or set of guidelines. From where do all this originate from? One basic is how Scripture is viewed and interpreted. Everyone interpret Scripture according to their own idea and standard today, handling the Word of God in an artificial and insincere way as if it is all a matter of private interpretation. It is as if it is left to everyman what he wants to make of Scripture and how he wants to interpret it. You find expressions today when confronted with the truth in its context of Scriptural as well as historical view that many say “it is only your view or interpretation, mine are equally valid.” It may be so, but what is important and few seems to regard this, is that if that “view” and “interpretation” are set forth in Scripture AND in the life’s of those that were before us with which we became a part of, then everything changes, it is then no longer an individual view or interpretation but that of an already existing body of faith to which we only became part of.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…” (Colossians 1:12)
We were made partakers (sharers) of others before us into a rich Scriptural and historical heritage and tradition (the way the Apostles and others used, lived and adhered to), to which we must take note of.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”(2Th 2:15)
The word used here for “hold” means “to get possession of, to become master of, to obtain, to hold fast, i.e. not discard or let go, to keep carefully and faithfully, to continue to hold, to retain.” To Timothy Paul wrote:
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Ti 3:14-17)
It is important to note this and have this observation: All Scripture must be adhered to, but moreover what seems to be also prominent is from whom we learned the Scriptures. Look at this closely in Paul’s pastoral letter to this young man. He explains a state similar to ours today. In fact Paul says that this will be even the condition in which the last day’s church or Christianity will be swallow up in. He points to “perilous” times, hard times, times in which God’s things will be hard to do, His Word hard to take, the people hard to approach, so that there will be a loosening, a slacking, a relaxing on the “hold” which there should be on Scripture and Spiritual things. It promotes the idea to let something down from a higher place to a lower. Paul says to Timothy that He must heed this very rigid development, especially in relating to God’s Truth and of the Scriptures. What is evident and what we may observe is that things will get worse. Instead of things reaching height and attainment, things will become more acceptable and their will be a lowering in standards, values, principles, but more evident in this chapter of the revealed truth of God through the Scriptures, etc, especially in the last days. There will be a LOWERING, a LOOSENING, a SLACKENING, and a RELAXING, from the faith once delivered to the saints. Things that were wrong in the past will become more acceptable in the future; the hold which many have will slacken gradually so that countless will loose their grip on many things, but especially on the truth and the interpretation thereof. If my interpretation of Scripture is wrong, then the whole outcome of my life will be wrong.
“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. “ (Matthew 5:19)
How are Scripture broken? By not interpret it in the way it should be. Jesus said many change the Word of God, by interpret it to say what it doesn’t. And the result:
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments (interpretation) of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition (interpretation) of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition (interpretation). For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition (interpretation), which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:7-13)
You will find this phenomenon by just going back in one hundred years, in and by what standard and value system the people of God adhere to in those days. Things that were accursed and viewed as fleshly and unspiritual today are held in honor and respect, so that it has become ordinary. Then go back still further and further down the ages and you will find a slow deterioration in values, standards but especially the truth of God’s Word and in the interpretation thereof, which came under such an assault even in Paul’s and Peter’s day that they forewarned of this. What must indisputably return to us is the heart of the fathers to the children, so that the children may have the same mind and heart that the early fathers had. It is not our explanation that counts today, but if what we view and how we view this is in harmony with the heart of the Fathers. Many only want to interpret some passage to see what makes the most sense to them. Few when in lack of light and understanding, search out not merely the meaning of some text, but the embodiment of truth revealed all through history. No Scripture is a matter of own interpretation.
“… Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. “ (2 Peter 1:20,21)
What we must take to heart even more is the way (the fruit of) in which the men who interpret the Scriptures decorated their lives. We not only have the Scriptures and someone interpreting it, we also have their examples, their manner of life, by which we can distinguish what is and was behind their spoken words. There are many sources today by which men speak. Not everyone who speak the Word of God or speak in the Name of the Lord speak from the Spirit of God or from the mouth of God. We need to take heed of this. We have settled with many things in our lives as if what we settle in is alright and acceptable, but was it acceptable to those in front of us in who’s steps we ought to follow? Many things professed today among Christians do not come from God. Some comes from men that were departing from the very faith they professed. Many are driven by deceiving spirits and are deceiving others, while others only living by the interpretation of those who indoctrinates them, to believe traditions of men, (howbeit, there is a tradition which we must follow) and so worship God in vain. When we interpret Scripture we need to look soberly not merely at what one says but how that person lived.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things
which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” (2Ti 3:13-14)
What is furthermore awkward in this whole case is that there are misinterpretations of what the faith and the life of faith is all about. So when looking to those who interpret Scripture some look at eloquence, popularity, status, prosperity, esteem, success, class, reputation, etc, as if this reflects true godliness, spirituality, faith, without perceiving the very vocation of God through which He choose to speak, and in what manner He desire to reveal and convey His truth.
“The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1Co 1:26-29)
“… not many wise men after the flesh….”
Not many skilled, experts: skilled in letters,
cultivated, learned; forming the best plans
and using the best means for their execution.
“… not many mighty …” Not many (some are)
powerful or capable, mighty in wealth and influence.
“… not many noble…” Not many well born, that is,
(literally) high in rank
“… the foolish things… “ The dull or stupid
“… the weak things…” The more feeble, impotent,
sick, without strength,
“… base things…” The low, coward, mean,
of no family, that is: low born
“… things which are despised… “ The contemptible,
despise, least esteemed, set at naught
TO CONFOUND, that is to dishonor, disgrace, to put to shame, make ashamed!
Paul points to 5 basic principles to Timothy in this chapter (2 Timothy 3) by which we may arrive at some true apprehension of what God has revealed, and which should guide us to a true account and interpretation of Scripture.
1) An awareness of the times in which we live. It will be characterize by “hardness”, by a lowering down the things which was once delivered unto us, a loosening the grip, a relaxing in a state that have seduced. This must trouble us so that in our apprehension to understanding some truth, we must not stop short of going back to those who were before us, look at their life’s, their manners and values and see in them their doctrines (faith) once delivered to them.
“Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God].” (Jude 1:3 Amp)
2) We must beware of men who interpret Scripture, but who in essence have only an outward form, without the true substance of what they speak about. Beware of men that speaks about certain things, but who do not live out what they speak about (Some speak for example of giving, but they do not give, or of how the body must be conscious about others needs, but they themselves looks only at their own, etc). They may have the right terminology, but true interpretation comes from the Spirit of God, Whose power many deny. By implication you do not just hear interpretation and words, but you must see the power of godliness in their life’s transforming them, bringing them in conformity to what they speak about. There are those who always learn, they can even teach others, but they, because they refuse (by various things) the power of a transformed life they never arrive at the knowledge of truth. Many teach others and interpret Scripture, not in a simple open way, but they creep in and influence especially woman, who become caught up by likeable and appealing teachings and are led away by this which in turn influence their men and so led whole families or households astray. Such women are easily flattered; they are charmed by the graceful manners of religious instructors; they lend a willing ear to anything that has the appearance of religion, and their hearts are open to anything that promises to advance the welfare of their world.
3) There will be men like Jannes and Jambres who withstand what God sets forth, because they have a corrupt mind and a reprobate and a good for nothing faith. While they profess to know the Scriptures they stand up against the very truth and especially of God’s chosen methods and approved men. The point of the remark of the apostle here, is, that they resisted Moses by attempting to imitate his miracles, thus neutralizing the evidence and support that he was sent from God. In like manner, the persons here referred to, opposed the progress of the gospel by setting up a similar claim to that of the apostles (God’s chosen men); by pretending to have as much authority as they have; and by this neutralizing the claims of the true faith, and leading away weak-minded persons from the truth. This is often the most dangerous kind of opposition that is made to true religion. Although all have equality before God, what is evident is that there are God APPROVED men, whom God has set up and have set forth, so that He have not only given revelation but also revelators in order to convey His truth and once delivered man must adhere to it. This have become common today, God’s authority have become countered by everyone who fancy themselves to be the carriers of divine interpretation. This point may lack in explanation about other areas but one thing is clear as was in Paul’s day, some in the church will stand against God’s approved vehicles whom He Himself have established and ordained to convey His truth, so that even as they withstood Moses by their doing the same miracle, so they withstood Paul, giving themselves as also having influence and recognition, so today.
4) We have in verse 10 and further on the importance of what we have been talking about. This we must take to heart. Paul telling Timothy that he spoke openly and without compromise of the faith once delivered to the saints. Herein is a specific acknowledgement. Those, that interpret Scriptures in a cunning way or in a way that is suitable for them, are also those who do not want to stir or speak OPENLY about the truth. They hide behind human feelings and do not openly declare to all where they stand, they try to cover up things they don’t agree with so that in actual fact they act as if as if they agree, but they do not agree. They are not open about what they believe. Those who still wants to please men, cannot be servants of God, cannot be entrusted with God’s revelation. (Galatians 1:10) What is apparent is that Paul says to Timothy that he needs to take heed to his (Paul’s) life and manners, because in it he will find the signs of approval, that what he have spoken about and have set forth is absolutely trustworthy because it was accompany by the signature of approval which were written all over his (Paul’s) life and ministry. Consequently many interpret the Scriptures without the signature of approval on their lives as those whom God have entrusted with His truth. And this is where we come to, Scripture is not a simple matter of using all the right rules of hermeneutics for interpretation, its not a mere matter for the human mind, NO it is GOD ENTRUSTING THOSE WHOM HE HAVE APPROVED AND SET UP TO INTERPRET WHAT HE HAS GIVEN! Anyone can interpret Scripture, but only they who have been entrusted with and given the grace can reveal the reality of what was given by the Spirit. It acquires a spiritual man to discern, examine, and interpret spiritual things.
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
To whom he said this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isa 28:9-13)
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Co 2:10-16)
There must exist and consist in those who interpret Scriptures, of the same spiritual substance, for like can unite only with like, the eye and the thing seen are of the same substance, likewise the ear and the thing heard. A radio cannot receive or interpret TV signals. It does not have the capacity or the ability to receive or interpret its waves, because it cannot, although they exist all around us. It is only the “spiritual” that have the capacity or ability to “RECEIVE” (interpret) the truth of God. God “reveals” them to those who are wholly consecrated in life and have come to some maturity by which they have received the “ability” to “receive” (interpret) spiritual things.
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:11-14)
What we have today in the world, all over cultures, is Bible schools and classes, teaching men, to use their mental powers and abilities, giving out commentaries and aids to assist the many to understand and to interpret the Scriptures and spiritual things. These things may have some efficiency, but it has substitute the way in which God reveals and conveys His truth. Few are being taught in this way, because few know it themselves.
So God have had those through whom He has revealed and interpret the mysteries, the deep things of God, the purposes and Words of God, and those who being part of one body, those through whom He will reveal or interpret them. Thus we have man’s ability rising up to declare the things of God, this is a subtle sway of the mystery of iniquity. God must interpret His own truth through whom He will. The Holy Spirit must be the One who interprets ALL things to us, and not our own set of guidelines, He is the one who bring it to our understanding, He is the One who must guide us into all truth, and not some mere understanding we ourselves have come to by study, by tradition or by hermeneutic principals or by whatever other way imaginable.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall he speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. “(John 14:26; 16:13, 14)
We have a rich heritage, being a part of a whole and in that context we aught to come to a heart that can become receptive to the things of God. Everybody is following somebody, even if it is only himself. Every Christian is a disciple of someone else. Paul said to Timothy in verse 14 that he must follow after his manner, faith, spirit, etc. We need to be followers of those who went before us all through the ages, who had the marks of approval and the signature of Christ written in their testimony and lives for all to see.
“Remember your leaders and superiors in authority [for it was they] who brought to you the Word of God. Observe attentively and consider their manner of living (the outcome of their well-spent lives) and imitate their faith…“(Heb 13:7 Amplified)
5) The last point we will look at now are found in verse 15 to 17. These words were written to a young man to prepare him for the ministry which God had called him to. Through this medium God will prepare, establish and approve this young man, so that he will be lacking in nothing and by this become fully furnished and equipped!
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (fully equipped) unto all good works. “2 Timothy 3:15-17
The Already established Word of God, the Scriptures, the Prophets, the books of Moses, the Torah, by all these holy writings, God will perfect, thoroughly furnish His servants. Notice if you will, that what Paul refer to here as the Scriptures did not include what we call today the New Testament. Paul referred to what Timothy had access to in his own day, which was what we refer to commonly as the Old Testament. The role the Old Testament has to play to equip and to THOROUGHLY furnish “the man of God” is unparalleled. This brings us to some point in view. Many interpret Scripture today without any or some knowledge of the Old Testament. They think themselves New Testament believers as if the Old is done away with (I’m not referring to the covenants) and there is nothing more they can profit from it. What we have is exactly the opposite. We especially need to interpret the Scripture IN THE LIGHT of the Old Testament Scriptures, in the light of the prophets, the Psalms, the Torah and the Pentateuch, because many of the beginnings and progress lie back in their contents. The knowledge we have of the Old Testament is crucial to our becoming fully equipped and thoroughly furnished and skilled in interpreting the Scriptures.
“Jesus saith unto them, have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:51, 52)
“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,” (Luke 24:45)
It was the Old Testament part of the Scriptures especially that Jesus opened His disciples eyes to so to understand the circumstances surrounding His death and resurrection. Anyone unskilled in the Old Testament cannot truly interpret the New Testament. In the Light and context of what we have previously said, this point is essential.
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to
give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. “ (Acts 20:32)
In this second aspect we find this key unlocking the Scriptures in a way that nothing else can. If someone is wrong in this he is wrong in every other part contain in the Scriptures and the interpretation he had will be void of light.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus…”
The “word of His grace” which Paul refers to here is nothing else than the gospel (see Acts 14:3). If I am wrong in the presentation and content of the gospel I will be wrong in interpreting the Scriptures. It is only through “the Word of His grace” – the message of God’s grace as portrait in the gospel – in Christ, that we can be brought to that place where we will share in the richness of our Scriptural inheritance, where the Holy Spirit becomes our “paraklētos”, the One walking “besides” to guide, aid and teach us in all the truth of God. It is as we look into that “perfect law of liberty” into the “word of His grace” that we are being established and grounded and build up to know God and to make Him known.
God bless and may the Word of His grace establish you in Christ and in His Word, to be all well pleasing in His sight, Amen.