5.12.21
Every Scripture is inspired (2Timothy 3:16). The Greek word for inspired implies that every Word is God-breathed, or, spoken by God (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, every Scripture has specific divine meaning according to to God’s purpose in saying it. Because God is consistent with Himself, the meaning of His Word cannot change (Malachi 3:6; 2Timothy 2:13). From this simple understanding of the nature of God, we can soundly conclude that every Scripture only has one meaning.
Interpretation of Scripture is the most important thing in the world.
The Word of God is the most important thing in the world. It is the means by which God will save and judge mankind. Therefore, the interpretation of Scripture is, likewise, the most important thing in the world. Proper interpretation of Scripture is just as important as Scripture itself, for what good is Scripture if it is not properly understood? Jesus complained that the Jews of His day hadn’t acquired the Scriptures’ message (John 5:39-40). That ignorance rendered the Scripture of none effect to them. They missed the advantage to be gained from it (Romans 3:1-2). So, what good did the Sabbatical reading of the Scriptures do them? How often do people today say that they believe in or love the Bible but are ignorant of its content?
An even worse scenario is drawing a wrong meaning from Scripture through misinterpretation. At any point the Scriptures are misinterpreted, a false understanding is substituted for the true. Literally, misinterpretation substitutes someone else’s meaning for God’s. It gives people, who are placing their trust in the Word of God, a false understanding. Essentially, misinterpretation makes the Bible untrue. It’s important to realize that the Bible is only true when correctly interpreted. There is perhaps nothing more evil and dangerous than misinterpretation of the Bible. That is why the devil promotes it (e.g., Matthew 4:6). To use a verse of Scripture apart from its intended purpose is to corrupt the Word of God (2Corinthians 2:17). Scripture only means what it was intended to mean. It cannot be made to take on a meaning that is not inherent in it by divine inspiration.
Misinterpretation of Scripture takes away from, and adds to, the Word of God, both of which are forbidden (Revelation 22:18-19). As Jonathan Edwards pointed out, misinterpreting Scripture is making a new Scripture. It that way, misinterpretation adds to the Word of God. What’s more, it replaces the true meaning of Scripture, thus, effectually removing Scripture. It is a handy and unsuspecting way for the enemy to oppose the Word of God. False doctrine results from misinterpretation of Scripture and true doctrine is, thus, lost.
Proper study of Scripture results in truth (2Timothy 2:15).
According to 2Timothy 2:15, study of the Bible results in the ability to discover truth and properly administer it. It does not result in false doctrine. The Bible does not at all, or ever, support false doctrine (Proverbs 8:8-9; 21:30). Study of Scripture results in clarity of doctrine and the acquisition of more truth (Psalms 119:18; Matthew 13:12). Therefore, people who use the Bible to teach false doctrine, not only contradict the Bible relative to what they teach, but are themselves a contradiction inasmuch as they deny what the Bible declares to be so, namely, that study of the Scriptures would result in truth. This conflict with the claim of Scripture cannot be the fault of Scripture but must be the fault of the interpreter.
The area of Scripture that has the most false doctrine associated with it is salvation doctrine.
Students of Scripture can generally agree on many things in the Bible but there is more than a plethora of ideas and doctrines relating to the plan of salvation. And, of course, this is the most critical area of all, one of infinite importance, which, if missed, ultimately renders the other doctrines of little consequence.
The Bible is abundantly clear that there is only one truth regarding the plan of salvation (Ephesians 4:5; Galatians 1:8-9; Jude 3; 1Peter 1:23-25). But, contrarily, we see in general Christianity that there are numerous ideas about the plan of salvation. I can only think of two possible explanations for this disparity:
1/ Not everyone studying Scripture, as it relates to salvation, is studying it to obtain God’s absolute truth. Or,
2/ Many who study employ improper study procedures that do not result in truth.
This latter point involves a wrong interpretive paradigm; the former involves insincerity. Every false doctrine is the product of improper study or improper motive. People often approach Scripture with a pre-conceived view of Scripture or with an agenda to prove their point. Those who have rejected or resolved not to accept Acts 2:38, or baptismal regeneration, or speaking in tongues, etc. will not be open to the truth and will find ways to misinterpret Scripture. And they may find satisfaction in doing so, especially when a false view is popular.
It is possible that some people approach Scripture in the same way Peter tried to affect doctrine in Matthew 16:22. He pressed to negatively affect the doctrine of the cross and the resurrection, both of which would affect our salvation. At the time, Peter had no aim to truth but rather to design his own truth. For this, he was sternly rebuked of Christ (verse 23). He temporarily had preference for his own wishes over the plan of God. This could be the same fault of others who study the Bible but never arrive at the truth (2Timothy 3:7). People can be blinded by the dominance of a fixed idea.
Without controversy, sincerity and proper hermeneutical study are imperative to those who teach others doctrine. Personal shame will be the lot of those who do not render correct interpretation of Scripture (2Timothy 2:15). And teaching doctrine is a serious responsibility that can involve condemnation (James 3:1).
Conclusion
✦ To the extent that Scripture is important, interpretation of Scripture is important, since it is the means by which we come to understand the Bible’s vital message to us.
✦ False doctrine is not the teaching of Scripture (Proverbs 21:30). False doctrine is a corruption of God’s Word. Therefore, to the extent that Scripture is important, false doctrine is dangerous and is to be avoided and condemned.
✦ A person only regards the Bible to the extent he regards correct interpretation and doctrine. Jesus pointed out to the Jews of His day that their regard for Scripture, which they pretended to esteem, was superficial (John 5:39-40). They didn’t receive its message even when their sacred Scriptures were being fulfilled before their very eyes.
✦ Every Scripture only has one meaning. Therefore, there can only be one true interpretation of each verse and of the Bible as a whole. That fact has some important implications which are usually overlooked or are unwelcome:
1/ There is only one Christian plan of salvation.
2/ All preachers and teachers should be proclaiming the same thing about how to be saved.
3/ All Churches should believe and teach the same thing.
4/ All believers should have the same salvation experience. Notice the practical Apostolic emphasis on that point in Acts 8:12-17; 18:24-28; 19:1-6.
I know this is not what we observe in general Christianity. That’s the point of this post. But, logically, it should be, since there is only one true interpretation of Scripture.