Deepening Understanding of Scripture Beyond Analogy and Example
The concept of divine revelation is central to understanding Scripture, referring to God's act of uncovering or bringing to light what was previously hidden [2]. This revelation is not merely a record of divine communication but is considered the revelation itself in written form, ensuring its accurate preservation and propagation [2]. The Scriptures are frequently referred to as "the Word," "the Word of God," "the Word of Christ," and "the Word of truth," among other titles, emphasizing their divine origin and authority [3].
The Bible itself attests to its divine inspiration. For instance, 2 Timothy 3:16 states that all Scripture is "given by inspiration of God," and Acts 1:16 and 2 Peter 1:21 indicate that it was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit [3]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them, as seen in Matthew 4:4, Mark 12:10, John 7:42, and Luke 24:27 [3]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:20, cites Psalm 94:11 to affirm that "the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain," demonstrating the use of Old Testament Scripture to confirm and illustrate theological points [5].
The nature of biblical prophecy is also understood as divinely originated, not merely the result of a prophet's "private interpretation" or personal solution [8]. This means that the prophetic message is not solely the individual writer's uninspired thought but rather a message that originates from God [8].
Beyond direct revelation, Scripture employs various literary forms to convey truth. The Greek word parabole, from which "parable" is derived, signifies "placing beside or together," a comparison, similitude, or illustration of one subject by another [1]. In the New Testament, this term has a broad application, encompassing short proverbs, dark prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, or expanded metaphors [1]. Examples include 1 Samuel 10:12, Numbers 23:7, and Psalm 78:2 [1].
The practice of public reading of Scripture, transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, highlights its foundational role in communal worship and instruction [4]. Early Christians recognized the New Testament Gospels and Epistles as inspired, reading them alongside the Old Testament [4].
Theological traditions emphasize the importance of progressing in understanding biblical teachings. The author of Hebrews urges believers to move beyond basic teachings like repentance and faith, which are foundational elements of Jewish instruction, towards a deeper understanding of Christ [6]. This growth is seen as an ongoing process initiated by God [6]. Similarly, 2 John warns against those who "wander away from this teaching" or "go beyond" the apostolic teachings about Jesus Christ, indicating that there is a defined body of truth to be adhered to and understood [7]. This suggests that while growth in understanding is encouraged, it must remain consistent with the established apostolic witness [7].
The concept of divine revelation underpins the authority and reliability of Scripture, presenting it not merely as human wisdom but as God's own communication to humanity [2, 3].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- 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 (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
- 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”
- 2 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 John 1:9: 1:9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching (literally everyone going beyond and not remaining in the teaching): To go beyond is to contradict the apostolic teachings about Jesus Christ and believe things about Jesus that were not taught by the apostles. This is a warning to the church not to listen to the false teachers.”
- 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”