Rules Of Interpretation (2)
Categories: Bible Study Lessons8) A Passage Must Be Interpreted In Harmony With Any Idioms It Contains
These are the characteristics peculiar to the original languages of the Bible. The Bible was written in the common languages of man (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) and is filled with expressive idioms. Thus our understanding of the meaning of a passage depends upon our understanding the idioms used in it. For example, a type of repetition was frequently used in the Hebrew language to give emphasis, as in Genesis 22:17, “That in blessing I will bless thee”. Another kind of idiom is found in the “love” and “hate” expressions. When we read, “I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau” (Malachi 1:2-3), it does not mean the contrast of opposites, as the words literally indicate, but it merely denotes a comparison of one being loved “more than” the other.
9) All Passages On Any Given Subject Must Be Studied
Truth has many sides. Each passage, though true, does not always give all the truth. Usually a passage has a particular design of presenting clearly one facet of truth or of combating some significant extreme people are susceptible to. No one should ever draw a general conclusion on any Bible subject until all passages concerning it have been collected, considered, and compared. We can think of no better illustration of this than the subject of conversion. In pointing out the elements of salvation that a sinner must take, such passages on faith as John 3:16 and Acts 16:31 have been emphasized by some. On the other hand, such verses on repentance as Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; on confession of faith as Matthew10:32; Romans 10:9-10; and on baptism as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16 have been put aside. Remember that only the sum total of passages on a given subject will give complete understanding (Psalm 139:17; Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16).
10) Observe The Proper Balance Of Scriptural Truth
Many false doctrines have arisen because some passages have been exaggerated or overemphasized, while others have been slighted. Let us as honest Bible students carefully weigh out our conclusions so we will be sure to balance the truth as God wills it. Sometimes a passage itself contains signs of emphasis or urgency, this being done by repetition, sentence structure, and the words themselves. This is not always evident in an English translation, and so the average student may have to use a reliable commentary or several English translations for help in understanding these fine shades of meaning.
11) Let Plain Passages Determine Difficult Passages
There are some difficult passages of Scripture that are obscure or hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). They may seem to have more than one meaning. Which is the correct one? Always choose the one that harmonizes with the more plain or easy passages on the same subject. Let definite passages help you understand those that are obscure. Do you find it difficult to grasp what Jesus meant by the expression “born again” (John 3:3-6)? Then get out a concordance and examine each passage in the New Testament on the subject of “birth”; “begotten”; “conversion”; and “salvation”
12) Rightly Divide The Book, The Dispensations, The Covenants, And The Settings
(a) The Book – The two main divisions of the Bible are (1) the Old Testament and (2) the New Testament. Basically, the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament were written to guide people before the coming of Christ, while the twenty-seven books of the New Testament are directed to all people living since the coming of our Saviour. The word “testament” means “will”. There is great significance in the words “old” and “new”. God established the “Old Testament” primarily for the Jewish nation of Israel while Christ established the “New Testament”” in order to bring salvation to “both” Jew and Gentile people (Gal. 3:26-28).
(b) The Dispensations
Patriarchal Age – The word “patriarch” means “father”. In this age, God began to deal with man as the head of his family. Instead of revealing a written code of law and a system of worship, He spoke to the fathers through visions, dreams, and angels. Because of the limitation an nature of God’s revelation during this long age. It has been called the “Starlight Age”.
Mosaic Age – Here the name springs from the great lawgiver, Moses. During this period God expanded His method of dealing with man by choosing a nation (Israel). Man was now ready for more revelation from God; hence this age is often called the “Moonlight Age”. Through Moses, God set down a definite written code for social, political, and religious life, with the Ten Commandments as its center.
Christian Age – The name here refers to Christ, the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The chief characteristic here is that God now turns from a family and a nation to the whole world. Now the grand pupose of God is fulfilled through His Son: the redemption of all mankind on earth (those who are willing to be saved by the Gospel or “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25). Thus, this age is often called the “Sunlight Age” – the present age in which we now live. More than nineteen hundred years have transpired thus far.
(c) The Covenants – The two main covenants in the Bible are: (1) Old Testament and (2) New Testament. One of the chief causes of misunderstanding the Bible has been the failure to rightly divide these covenants and put them together to build or defend a doctrine. The mixing of the covenants can do nothing else but produce chaos and confusion. Jesus lived under the Old Testament (Covenant). When he died on the cross, this brought an end to, and the fulfillment of (Matthew 5:17) the law (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10:9-10). This could be similar to a labor union contract. No matter how good the one is, a better one is written and ratified later on and takes the place of the old one.
(d) The Settings – In order to arrive at a correct interpretation of a passage or passages of Scripture, it is important to put the Scripture in its rightful place, according to the period of time and the covenant involved. This involves the important issue of seeing it in its original, thus true environment.
13) Rightly Divide The Language
In speaking to man God used human language, the language man uses in his everyday life. The Lord has used all types of languages known to man – from literal fact to figurative statement, prose to poetry, story to sermon, history to prophecy, and law to example. Many, times the Lord wished simply to state facts, name persons and places, relate incidents, issue commandments and warnings, or draw conclusions. Such things should be taken literally, just as we do in our daily conversations. To be constantly searching for hidden meanings and fancy figures of speech would be useless. Too many Bible readers have forgotten this obvious truth, and so they exert wasteful and fruitless energy in forcing many literal words and expressions to issue forth deep, spiritual meanings never intended. Remember, a good portion of the Bible is in plain, literal language!