Ensuring Understanding of God's Character and Will from Scripture
Understanding God's Character and Will from Scripture
The Bible is considered the primary source for understanding God's character and will. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, Scripture is described as the "Word of God" and is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit [1]. This understanding is rooted in passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16, which states that "All Scripture is God-breathed" [5].
To gain a deeper understanding of God's character and will, one must engage with Scripture. The Psalmist prays, "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law" (Psalm 119:34), highlighting the importance of spiritual understanding in observing God's commands [6]. This understanding is not merely intellectual but is rooted in a personal relationship with God. As John Gill notes on 1 John 2:3, knowing God is not just a matter of notional or speculative knowledge but is accompanied by love and affection [9].
The Bible itself provides guidance on how to understand its teachings. Colossians 2:2 speaks of being "knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ" [2]. This passage emphasizes the importance of love and unity in gaining a deep understanding of God's character and will.
Traditions represented in the sources emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating Scripture. According to Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:8, wisdom and understanding come from the revelation of God's mysterious will regarding Christ [8]. This revelation is not limited to intellectual comprehension but involves a spiritual understanding that is facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
The pursuit of understanding God's character and will requires diligence and a commitment to studying Scripture. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists "diligence" as a key virtue, citing Christ as an example of diligence in seeking to do God's will [4]. This diligence involves not just reading Scripture but also seeking to apply its teachings in one's life.
In the view of John Gill, the Psalmist's prayer for understanding is a recognition that true knowledge of God's testimonies comes from God Himself [7]. This understanding is not just about cognitive knowledge but involves a deepening of one's faith and relationship with God.
The sources also highlight the importance of holiness in understanding God's character and will. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that holiness is commanded and is a necessary aspect of worshiping God [3]. This emphasis on holiness is rooted in the biblical teaching that God is holy and that His people are called to be holy.
Sources
- 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”
- Colossians “that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, -- Colossians 2:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:15 (BSB) — From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:32: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law,.... A spiritual understanding; an understanding of the law, the perfection, purity, holiness, and spirituality of it; an understanding of the Gospel, and of Christ and the things of Christ; from whom grace and strength are to be had for the due observance of the law, as in his hands; which understanding must be given, and is a gift of pure, free, rich grace, to such who have it; though they cannot keep the law perfectly, as no mere man can, yet will keep it spiritually, from a principle of love and gratitude, and with”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:121: I am thy servant,.... Not only by creation, but by grace; and as he had a work to do, he desires to know what it was; and as it was proper he should know his Master's will, he applies to him for it; using this as an argument, that he was his servant, devoted to his service, and willing to perform it to the best of his knowledge and ability; and therefore prays, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies; the Scriptures, which testify of the will of God; which are only rightly understood by those who have their understandings opened and enlightened; or”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:8: 1:8-10 Wisdom and understanding come from the revelation of God’s mysterious will regarding Christ. In Paul’s writings, mysterious will (traditionally mystery) often refers to a divine truth formerly hidden but now revealed in the Good News (see 3:9). Here it refers to how God will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, so that he may be universally recognized and respected as Lord (see Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:16-20, 26-27; 2:2, 19; 4:3). Ephesians focuses specifically on the inclusion of Gentiles as well as Jews in God’s redeemed people (see Eph 3:”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 2:3: And hereby we do know that we know him,.... Either the Father, with whom Christ is an advocate; not as the God of nature, and by the light of it, nor as the lawgiver and Judge of the whole earth, and by the law of Moses; but as the God of all grace, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin, as the Father of Christ, and as in him by the Gospel; and this not in a mere notional and speculative way, but with love and affection; not with fear and trembling, as devils know him, nor in theory, as formal professors and hypocrites, but with a knowledge, joined with h”