Understanding Complex Theological Concepts in Biblical Studies
Understanding in a biblical context refers to a deep apprehension of divine truths, God's works, and his precepts, which goes beyond mere intellectual assent. This understanding is often presented as a gift from God, enabling individuals to grasp spiritual realities that might otherwise remain obscure [4, 8].
The concept of understanding is frequently linked to the "mysteries" of God, particularly the mystery of Christ. The apostle Paul, for instance, speaks of a revealed mystery that was once hidden but is now made known [2]. This mystery is not something inherently unknowable, but rather a truth previously concealed by God and now disclosed through revelation [2]. To "understand my knowledge" or "perceive my understanding" of these mysteries implies that through reading and contemplation, individuals can come to grasp these profound truths [2]. This understanding is not limited to intellectual comprehension but extends to a spiritual perception of Christ himself [2].
This spiritual understanding is crucial for believers to comprehend the vastness of God's love. It is described in terms of its "breadth," "length," "depth," and "height," encompassing Christ's universal love, its eternal duration, its profound wisdom, and its divine elevation [3]. While this love "surpasseth knowledge," the ability to "know" it, even if not exhaustively, is a goal for believers, leading to being "filled even unto all the fulness of God" [5]. This suggests that understanding, though never complete in this life, allows for a progressive filling with divine wisdom and knowledge [5].
Understanding is also presented as essential for living according to God's will. The psalmist prays, "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts," so that he might walk in them and speak of God's "wondrous works" with greater knowledge and cheerfulness [4]. Similarly, another psalm requests, "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law" [8]. This indicates that understanding God's law is not just about knowing its rules, but about grasping its spiritual intent and finding the grace and strength to observe it, even if imperfectly [8].
The "wondrous works of God" are a significant object of understanding. These works include creation, providence, redemption, and grace [4]. Job's contemporary, Elihu, urges contemplation of these works, describing them as "endless in their variety; stupendous in their structure; complicated in their parts; indescribable in their relations and connections; and incomprehensible in the mode of their formation" [6]. Such contemplation is meant to lead to right conclusions about God's nature and dealings [6].
The development of understanding is often associated with spiritual maturity. "Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age," implying that deeper theological truths are for those who have grown in their faith [1]. While justification is perfect for all believers regardless of their maturity, and sanctification is an ongoing process, a greater degree of faith and a clearer discovery of one's justification can be associated with increased understanding [1]. This growth in understanding helps navigate complex or "perplexed and distressing thoughts" that can arise concerning God's majesty, his perfections, and one's relationship with him [7].
Sources
- 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”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:4: understand my knowledge--"perceive my understanding" [ALFORD], or "intelligence." "When ye read," implies that, deep as are the mysteries of this Epistle, the way for all to understand them is to read it (Ti2 3:15-16). By perceiving his understanding of the mysteries, they, too, will be enabled to understand. the mystery of Christ--The "mystery" is Christ Himself, once hidden, but now revealed (Col 1:27).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:18: May be able--even still further. Greek, "May be fully able." breadth . . . length . . . depth . . . height--namely, the full dimensions of the spiritual temple, answering to "the fulness of God" (Eph 3:19), to which the Church, according to its capacity, ought to correspond (compare Eph 4:10, Eph 4:13) as to "the fulness of Christ." The "breadth" implies Christ's world-wide love, embracing all men: the "length," its being extended through all ages (Eph 3:21); the "depth," its profound wisdom which no creature can fathom (Rom 11:33); the "height," ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:25: Make me to understand the way of thy precepts,.... The meaning of them, to have a more comprehensive, clear, and distinct knowledge of them; and to be led into the way they direct unto, and walk therein; so shall I talk of thy wondrous works; the works of creation, providence, redemption, and grace; with more knowledge and understanding, with more spirit and cheerfulness, with more readiness and liberty, more to his own satisfaction, and for the good of others: or, "meditate on thy wondrous works" (z); being in the ways of God, and freed from the distractions of t”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:19: passeth--surpasseth, exceeds. The paradox "to know . . . which passeth knowledge," implies that when he says "know," he does not mean that we can adequately know; all we know is, that His love exceeds far our knowledge of it, and with even our fresh accessions of knowledge hereafter, will still exceed them. Even as God's power exceeds our thoughts (Eph 3:20). filled with--rather, as Greek, "filled even unto all the fulness of God" (this is the grand goal), that is, filled, each according to your capacity, with the divine wisdom, knowledge, and lov”
- Job (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Job 37:14: Hearken unto this - Hear what I say on the part of God. Stand still - Enter into deep contemplation on the subject. And consider - Weigh every thing; examine separately and collectively; and draw right conclusions from the whole. The wondrous works of God - Endless in their variety; stupendous in their structure; complicated in their parts; indescribable in their relations and connections; and incomprehensible in the mode of their formation, in the cohesion of their parts, and in the ends of their creation.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 94:19: In the multitude of my thoughts within me,.... The word for thoughts is used of branches of trees, thick and entwined, and so denotes perplexed and distressing thoughts; such as good men sometimes have concerning God; his awful and tremendous majesty; the perfections of his nature, particularly his power, purity, and holiness; concerning their relation to him, his presence with them, and good will towards them, which, because of their sins, they are ready to doubt of: thoughts concerning sin; that there are no sins like theirs, attended with such aggravated circumsta”
- 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”