Cultivating a Deep Understanding of Scripture for Critical Evaluation
A deep understanding of Scripture is cultivated through consistent engagement and spiritual growth, moving beyond foundational teachings to grasp more complex doctrines [1, 5]. This process involves not only reading but also actively applying biblical truths to one's life.
The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to devote himself to "reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:13), indicating the importance of public and private engagement with the biblical text [2]. This practice of reading Scripture was a tradition carried over from the Jewish synagogue into the early Christian church [2]. Such diligent study enables individuals to develop their "powers of judgment" in evaluating spiritual matters [3].
The author of Hebrews distinguishes between "milk" and "strong meat" in spiritual nourishment, where "milk" represents basic principles and "strong meat" signifies the "high and sublime doctrines of Christianity" [1, 4]. These advanced doctrines include concepts such as the atonement, justification by faith, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the glorification of believers [1]. Understanding these deeper truths requires spiritual maturity, which is attained "by reason of use"—through constant hearing, believing, praying, and obedience [1].
Moving beyond basic teachings, such as repentance from dead works and faith toward God, allows for a fuller comprehension of Christ's person and work [5]. This progression is not merely intellectual but involves a spiritual growth initiated by God, leading to maturity [5]. While all believers are perfectly justified, growth in understanding and sanctification is an ongoing process [4]. The ability to discern good and evil, and to apply biblical principles to complex situations, is a hallmark of this spiritual maturity [1].
Sources
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 5:14: But strong meat - The high and sublime doctrines of Christianity; the atonement, justification by faith, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the fullness of Christ dwelling in the souls of men, triumph in and over death, the resurrection of the body, the glorification of both body and soul in the realms of blessedness, and an endless union with Christ in the throne of his glory. This is the strong food which the genuine Christian understands, receives, digests, and by which he grows. By reason of use - Who, by constant hearing, believing, praying, and obedience, use all th”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- 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”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 5:13: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,.... Or perfect; see Co1 2:6. This does not intend a perfection of justification; for though some have a greater degree of faith than others, and a clearer discovery of their justification, yet babes in Christ are as perfectly justified as more grown and experienced believers; nor a perfection of sanctification, for there is no perfection of holiness but in Christ; and though the work of sanctification may be in greater perfection in one saint than in another, yet all are imperfect in this life; and as to a perfe”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”