Dealing with Problem Scriptures
It sometimes happens in our study of the Word of God that we come across Scriptures that might be considered “problem Scriptures.” A “problem Scripture” is a passage of Scripture that is either di - cult to understand or that doesn’t seem to harmonize with the rest of Scripture. Thankfully, we never have to panic over a “problem Scripture” because we know that God is not confused, even though we might be confused about something He has said. Because we know that God is not confused, we can be con dent that every Scripture can be accurately interpreted, correctly understood, and properly harmonized with all of Scripture. We simply need to take our time, be diligent in our study, lean upon the Holy Spirit to guide us, and do our heartfelt best to, “rightly (divide) the word of truth.” There are, however, several things we must be careful about when dealing with “problem Scriptures.”
First, we must not lift any Scripture out of its proper place—out of its general and immediate contexts—and assign it a meaning that ts our time, our culture, our preferred narrative, or our fancy. We must leave Scriptures where they belong and examine them honestly and carefully in their general and immediate contexts and in the context of the time, the place, and the people to whom they were rst addressed. If we remove a Scripture from its proper context, it will begin to appear strange, even grotesque, and could be “forced” to communicate things it was never intended to communicate. If a Scripture is detached from the context where it belongs, it can take on a meaning that was not intended and could very likely be misinterpreted. Scriptures must be left where they belong.
Second, we must ask important questions about Scripture like these: “Who was the author of the words we are studying?” “Who were the people this particular author was writing to?” “What was transpiring in that place and at that time that inspired the author to write these words?” “What was the main purpose of the author’s writing?” These questions and others like them are very important to our being honest and humble and careful as we investigate what a Scripture really means.
Third, we must study the important words used in a “problem Scripture.” We must learn what those words meant in their original language and discover how they were commonly used at the time they were written. We must especially seek to know what those words would have meant to their original audience. Taking the time to learn the various possible meanings of important words in a “problem Scripture” increases the probability that we will discover what that Scripture really means.
Fourth, we should consult the teachings of others who are of a right spirit, who love God and His Word, who are intelligent and scholarly, and who can contribute historical context, correct meanings of words, and other important insights to the Scriptures we are study- ing. No matter how independent we wish to be or how much we want to be, “only Spirit taught,” we do ourselves and others a great disservice if we ignore what other godly, wise, mature, and right-spirited believers and ministers have already said or written about a particular Scripture.
Fifth, we must ask the Father and the Lord Jesus to help us. After all, it is their Word we are studying and seeking to understand. We must also humbly lean upon the all knowing and skillful Holy Spirit of Truth, the author of Scripture, as He does His important work of teaching us all things, of guiding us into all truth, and of assisting us as we seek to, “rightly (divide) the word of truth.” There are no more important words we can utter from our hearts as we study God’s Word than the words, “Please help me, Holy Spirit.”
If we will take our time, studying diligently, humbly, and prayer- fully, and if we will be honest with “problem Scriptures,” we can come to a good understanding of their true meanings and learn how they t with the rest of Scripture. In this process, we may discover that what had once seemed to be a “problem Scripture” is actually a beau- tiful and deeply meaningful Scripture that is harmonious with all of Scripture and enlightens, enriches, challenges, and encourages us.
