Eisegesis and the Danger of Reading into Scripture
The Danger of Eisegesis: Reading into Scripture
Eisegesis, the practice of reading one's own ideas into Scripture, poses a significant threat to the integrity of biblical interpretation. The Bible warns against excessive devotion to books and the proliferation of interpretations, cautioning that "the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body" [1]. This warning is echoed in Ecclesiastes 5:7, which notes that "as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God" [2].
The danger of eisegesis lies in its potential to distort the original meaning of Scripture. According to Calvin, the Lord punishes the wickedness of men by sometimes taking away the understanding of the word, leaving it in their possession but rendering it ineffective [3]. This highlights the importance of approaching Scripture with a humble and open heart, rather than imposing one's own preconceptions upon it.
The apostle Paul warns against the influence of external philosophies that can lead believers astray, cautioning the Colossians to "beware lest there shall be any man leading you away as his spoil through his philosophy" [5]. This warning is particularly relevant in the context of eisegesis, as it emphasizes the need to discern between legitimate interpretations and those that are tainted by external influences.
The biblical account of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-36 serves as a stark warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and misinterpretation. Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, describing it as a form of misperceiving God's will and leading people astray [6]. This critique is relevant to the issue of eisegesis, as it highlights the importance of approaching Scripture with a genuine desire to understand its meaning, rather than imposing one's own agenda.
The history of biblical interpretation is replete with examples of eisegesis, where interpreters have read their own theological or philosophical perspectives into Scripture. For instance, the woman's addition to God's command in Genesis 3:3, "neither shall ye touch it," is seen by some as an example of eisegesis, where she adds to the original command [4]. This serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for interpreters to be mindful of their own biases and to approach Scripture with a commitment to understanding its original meaning.
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:12 (NASB) — But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 5:7 (BSB) — For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 17.17: that, from the highest to the lowest, they will derive no benefit from the word of God. He does not say that doctrine will be taken away, but that, though it be in their possession, they will not have reason and understanding. In two ways the Lord punishes the wickedness of men; for sometimes he takes away entirely the use of the word, and sometimes, when he leaves it, he takes away understanding, and blinds the minds of men, so that “seeing they do not see.” ( Isaiah 6:9 .) First, therefore, he deprives them of reading, either by taking awa”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.14: or to touch, some suppose the second word to be added for the purpose of charging God with too great severity, because he prohibited them even from the touch 164 164 “Neither shall ye touch it.” “The woman herself adds this, which certainly in the divine law we are not permitted to do.” — Peter Martyr’s Commentary on Genesis. But I rather understand that she hitherto remained in obedience, and expressed her pious disposition by anxiously observing the precept of God; only, in proclaiming the punishment, she begins to give ways by ”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 2:8: Translate, "Beware (literally, 'Look' well) lest there shall be (as I fear there is: the Greek indicative expresses this) any man (pointing to some known emissary of evil, Gal 1:7) leading you away as his spoil (not merely gaining spoil out of you, but making yourselves his spoil) through (by means of) his philosophy," &c. The apostle does not condemn all philosophy, but "the philosophy" (so Greek) of the Judaic-oriental heretics at Colosse, which afterwards was developed into Gnosticism. You, who may have "the riches of full assurance" and "the tre”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 23:13: 23:13-36 Matthew collected seven statements of what sorrow awaits you (literally woe to you), drawing upon similar Old Testament listings (Isa 5:8-23; Hab 2:6-20), and he arranged them to climax in the murder of the prophets. 23:13 What sorrow awaits you: A stark warning of judgment from God. • Hypocrites! In English, hypocrisy describes a contradiction between reality and appearance. But in biblical usage, hypocrisy is misperceiving God’s will, leading people astray, and thus incurring God’s judgment. Coupled with this is often a desire for prestige and power (”