Avoiding Personal Opinions and Experiences in Bible Study
Avoiding personal opinions and experiences in Bible study is a principle rooted in several biblical admonitions against human-centered approaches to faith and interpretation. The Apostle Paul warns against being "taken captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ" [1]. This suggests a need to prioritize divine revelation over human constructs when engaging with scripture.
The New Testament frequently cautions against practices that elevate human perspectives or self-interest above God's truth. For instance, Paul states his purpose was "not to take the good news where Christ was named, so that my work might not be resting on that of others" [3], indicating a desire for ministry to be founded directly on Christ rather than on pre-existing human efforts or reputations. Similarly, the letter of James instructs believers, "My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism" [4]. This verse, while specifically addressing partiality, underscores a broader principle that personal biases or preferences should not influence one's approach to faith or its application.
The danger of relying on personal opinions can manifest in various ways. One is the tendency to engage in "stories and endless genealogies" that "bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith" [2]. This highlights how speculative or self-derived interpretations can distract from the core message and purpose of scripture. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Proverbs 3:29 advises against abusing confidence and litigation [5], which can be extended to the interpretive realm as a warning against misusing scriptural authority for personal gain or argument.
When interpreting prophecy, it is emphasized that "No prophecy is found to be the result of 'private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation' (solution), and so origination" [7]. This principle, articulated in 2 Peter 1:20, suggests that prophetic scripture does not originate from human will or private interpretation, but from divine inspiration. This extends to the study of all scripture, implying that its meaning should not be subject to individual, uninspired readings that deviate from its intended divine message.
The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Romans 3:4, in discussing the phrase "Let God be true, and every man a liar," explains that this expression is used by the apostle to "repudiate a supposed consequence of his doctrine, but express his abhorrence of it" [6]. This illustrates a theological stance where God's truth is upheld even if it contradicts human understanding or expectation. This perspective encourages humility in interpretation, recognizing that human fallibility means personal opinions may often be at odds with divine truth.
Even in practices like prayer and giving, the Bible warns against actions motivated by self-display or personal pride. Jesus instructs his followers to pray in private, not to "draw attention to themselves" [8]. Similarly, when giving alms, one should not let "thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth," meaning one should not dwell on it "even in thine own thoughts, lest it minister to spiritual pride" [12]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:20 further cautions against being "self-righteous," or seeking to make oneself "just" before God through "superabundance of self-imposed performances" [11]. These examples demonstrate a consistent biblical theme that personal motivations, opinions, and self-aggrandizement can corrupt even righteous acts, and by extension, the study and application of scripture.
The importance of objective judgment is also noted in 1 Corinthians 10:15, where Paul appeals to the Corinthians' "own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument" [9]. This suggests that while personal opinions are to be avoided, a responsible exercise of judgment, informed by scripture and sound reasoning, is necessary. However, this judgment is to be exercised within the bounds of biblical truth, not as a means to impose one's own views. The Adam Clarke Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:20 highlights the apostle's caution in having witnesses for financial matters "that no man should blame us," ensuring transparency and avoiding suspicion of misapplication [10]. This practical wisdom underscores the need for accountability and integrity, which can be applied to biblical interpretation to prevent personal biases from distorting understanding.
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (BSB) — See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (Rotherham) — Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies,—the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith;—”
- Romans “Romans 15:20 (BBE) — Making it my purpose not to take the good news where Christ was named, so that my work might not be resting on that of others;”
- James “James 2:1 (NASB) — My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:29: Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:4: God forbid--literally, "Let it not be," that is, "Away with such a thought"--a favorite expression of our apostle, when he would not only repudiate a supposed consequence of his doctrine, but express his abhorrence of it. "The Scriptures do not authorize such a use of God's name as must have been common among the English translators of the Bible" [HODGE]. yea, let God be--held true, and every man a liar--that is, even though it should follow from this that every man is a liar. when thou art judged--so in Psa 51:4, according to the Septuagint; but ”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:20: "Forasmuch as ye know this" (Pe1 1:18). first--the foremost consideration in studying the word of prophecy. Laying it down as a first principle never to be lost sight of. is--Greek, not the simple verb, to be, but to begin to be, "proves to be," "becometh." No prophecy is found to be the result of "private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation" (solution), and so origination. The Greek noun epilusis, does not mean in itself origination; but that which the sacred writer could not always fully interpret, though being the speaker o”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:6: 6:6 go away by yourself: Jesus is not prohibiting corporate prayer (see 18:19-20; Luke 11:2-4) but is instructing his followers to avoid using prayer as a means of drawing attention to themselves.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 8:20: Avoiding this, that no man should blame us - Taking this prudent caution to have witnesses of our conduct, and such as were chosen by the Churches themselves, that we might not be suspected of having either embezzled or misapplied their bounty, See the note on Co1 16:4.”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 7:20: Referring to Ecc 7:16. Be not "self-righteous," seek not to make thyself "just" before God by a superabundance of self-imposed performances; "for true 'wisdom,' or 'righteousness,' shows that there is not a just man," &c.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:3: But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth--So far from making a display of it, dwell not on it even in thine own thoughts, lest it minister to spiritual pride.”