Interpreting Scripture with Clarity and Accuracy in Biblical Studies
The accurate interpretation of Scripture is foundational to biblical studies, resting on the belief that the Bible is divinely inspired and intended to convey truth. The Scriptures are considered "given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16) and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:16; Hebrews 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21) [1]. This divine origin implies that the Bible is not merely a record of revelation but is the revelation itself in written form, designed for the precise preservation and propagation of truth [2].
The purpose of Scripture is to impart wisdom and instruction, enabling discernment of understanding [3]. Matthew Henry notes that the "entrance of God's word gives light," illuminating the understanding of those who are sanctified and serving as a guide in life [5]. The Bible is referred to by various names that underscore its authority and purpose, such as "the Word," "Word of God," "Word of Christ," "Word of truth," "Holy Scriptures," and "Scripture of truth" [1].
Interpreting Scripture accurately involves recognizing its divine authorship and its inherent clarity for those with spiritual understanding. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 8:9, states that the words of wisdom "are all plain to him that understandeth," referring to those whose understanding is "enlightened by the Spirit of God" [8]. For such individuals, the mysteries and doctrines of the Gospel are not hidden. However, Gill also notes that for those without spiritual discernment, the Bible remains a "sealed book" [8]. This perspective highlights that accurate interpretation is not solely an intellectual exercise but also requires spiritual receptivity.
The Bible's content is described as "wonderful" due to its author, its subject matter, and its benefits [7]. It recounts the wonders of creation, divine providence, and miracles, while also declaring God's will and purposes [7]. The concept of "Scripture foreseeing" (Galatians 3:8) is used to illustrate God's foreknowledge and his communication of future events through the biblical text [6]. This implies that the biblical authors, guided by the Holy Spirit, conveyed truths that God intended to reveal across time [6].
While the Scriptures are considered a complete system of divine truths, to which "nothing is to be added, and from which nothing is to be taken away," human knowledge of these truths is often "in part" (1 Corinthians 13:8) [9]. This does not suggest an imperfection in the Scriptures themselves, but rather acknowledges the limitations of human comprehension [9]. The process of interpretation often involves comparing Scripture with Scripture. For instance, when confirming a point, biblical writers or commentators might cite multiple passages, as seen in Paul's method of citing both Eliphaz and David to confirm that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3:20) [4]. This practice underscores the internal consistency and self-interpreting nature of the biblical text.
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”
- 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”
- Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; -- Proverbs 1:2”
- 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 ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:130: Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begi”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 3:8: And the Scripture foreseeing,.... This seems to agree with the Jewish forms or citing passages of Scripture, , "what does the Scripture foresee?" and , (n) "what does the law foresee?" The Scripture here, by a "prosopopeia", is represented as foreseeing an event that would come to pass, and accordingly spoke of it before hand, and designs God the author of the Scripture; and so the Syriac version renders it, "for seeing" , "that God" foreknew, &c. and means either the Holy Spirit, who searches the deep things of God, is privy to all his counsels and decrees, and to ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:9: They are all plain to him that understandeth,.... Whose understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of God; who is a spiritual man, that has a discerning, and can judge of spiritual things: as for the carnal man, let him have what natural knowledge or wisdom he will, he cannot know these things; for they are spiritually discerned, and can only be discerned by spiritual men. The Bible is a sealed book to others, learned or unlearned; the mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel are hid in parables from such; but those to whom Christ has given an understanding to know him, ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 13:8: For we know in part,.... Not that the Scriptures, the rule and measure of knowledge, and from whence spiritual knowledge is derived, are imperfect; so that there is need of unwritten traditions, and of enthusiastic revelations and inspirations, to inform of things otherwise unknown; for though they were at sundry times, and in divers manners delivered, yet now they contain a complete system of divine truths, to which nothing is to be added, and from which nothing is to be taken away; or that only a part of the saints know the things of God; for though there is ”