Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: February 10, 2008
DOES IT MATTER HOW WE INTERPRET THE
SCRIPTURES?
Ben Justice
Our number one goal is to “exegete” the scriptures, not “eisegete” the scriptures. The
word “exegesis” is from the Greek word egeisthas, literally meaning “to guide or lead.” Very
simply, the word means “to lead out.” Applied to the Scriptures, it means “to draw the
meaning out of any given text.” Thus, when a person is engaged in “exegesis” of a text, he
is bringing the meaning out of the text. He is an “exegete.” We don’t want to be guilty of
“eisegeting” the Scriptures, which is just the opposite of “exegeting” the scriptures. It
means to read and put something into the text that is not there. It puts an interpretation
upon the text that the text itself does not give. The Bible warns about “eisegeting” the
scriptures (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).
When it comes to Bible interpretation, it is imperative that we interpret the scriptures
correctly and accurately. Our goal is to arrive at the original meaning the writer intended
when he penned the words. “Rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) should be the
goal of every serious and conscientious Bible student. The phrase “rightly dividing” comes
from a word that literally means “to cut straight.” Timothy (and us today) had the
responsibility to cut the word of truth straight. Does this not imply that our
interpretations matter? If it is God’s will for us to rightly divide the word of truth, then the
implication is that it is possible to wrongly divide the word of truth. One must interpret
the scriptures correctly and accurately.
Peter’s words in 2 Pet. 3:15-18 make it abundantly clear that our interpretations matter.
Listen to Peter’s words:
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they
that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also,
being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. (18) But grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and
for ever. Amen.
From these scriptures, we see four salient points.
1.) In v. 15, Peter spoke of the difficulty of Paul’s writings. Even the inspired apostle
Peter understood that “some things” Paul had written were “hard to be understood.” Note
that Peter did not say “all things” but “some things.” The expression “hard to be
understood” simply means “difficult to be understood.” Peter likewise did not say
“impossible.” Some things simply require deeper thought and study.
2.) In v. 16, Peter spoke of the distortion of Paul’s writings. There were those who
distorted the writings of Paul. Peter exposed their character. He described them as
“unlearned and unstable.” He noted that they “wrest” the scriptures. The word “wrest”
means “to twist, torture, pervert.” So, it is possible to twist, torture, and pervert the
scriptures. People do this in many different ways, such as submitting God’s word to their
own preconceived ideas and suppositions, taking scripture out of context to fit their
doctrines never intended by the Bible writers, disregarding the authority of the scriptures,
failing to apply the scriptures to their own lives, and arguing for the sake of arguing
without seeing any need to ever learn better and change.
Not only did these unlearned and unstable characters pervert those things difficult to be
understood, they also perverted “other scriptures,” as Peter noted.
Peter pointed out that those who wrest the scriptures do so “unto their own destruction.”
Friends, there isn’t but one way to distort the scriptures and that is by placing an
interpretation upon the scriptures that the writers never intended. As Guy N. Woods
rightly noted, “The lesson, by implication, is that we should be on guard against any
interpretation contrary to the general teaching of the Bible” (“Commentary on 2 Peter,”
Pg. 192). Does it make any difference how we interpret the scriptures? If it doesn’t, then
the words of Peter are absolutely meaningless. Interpretation is serious business.
3.) In v. 17, Peter set forth the danger posed to Christians. This verse begins with the
conclusion word “therefore.” Hence, Peter drew a conclusion from what he just stated in
the previous verse. Because it is the case that those who are unlearned and unstable
wrest the scriptures unto their own destruction, you, therefore, “beware.” Peter told them
that they knew these things before (literally, to have knowledge of beforehand), that is,
they were informed of how certain ones wrested the scriptures unto their own destruction.
What were they to beware of? Peter said, “lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” Notice that those who are “unlearned and
unstable” are described as “the wicked.” Also notice that those who “wrest” the scriptures
are said to be in “error.” This verse clearly teaches that those who embrace the error of
the wicked (which refers to faulty interpretations of the scriptures) will be destroyed also.
Thus, Peter set forth two reasons why our interpretations matter: (1) Because
misinterpreting God’s word results in one’s destruction, and (2) Because embracing error
results in destruction.
4.) Lastly, in v. 18, Peter gave the defense against falling. The defense or protection
against succumbing to error is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Truth
is the best defense against error.
In Matt. 22:23-32, Jesus, in his discussion with the Sadducees concerning the Levirate
marriage, stated that the Sadducees did not know the scriptures. As a result they “erred”
(Matt. 22:29). It is clear from the context that they knew the scriptures in so far as what
they had to say with regard to the Levirate marriage (v. 24-28). The way they didn’t know
the scriptures is seen in the fact that they had placed a faulty interpretation upon the
scriptures. And, such resulted in error. Jesus, in v. 30-32, gave the correct interpretation
of scripture. As a result, Jesus put the Sadducees to silence (v. 34). A correct and true
interpretation will always put to silence the incorrect and untrue interpretations of
scripture. Truth silences error. Those who have, know, and present the truth in a debate
will always win the debate.
Think about this if you will. If our interpretations of the scriptures do no matter, then:
1.) There is no such thing as real, objective, absolute truth.
2.) There is no such thing as rightly dividing the word of truth.
3.) There is no such thing as adulterating the word of God.
4.) There is no such thing as wresting the scriptures.
5.) There is no such thing as error.
One writer said that there should be written across the cover of every Bible these words:
“Highly explosive; handle with care” (As quoted by Leroy Brownlow, “God, The Bible,
and Common Sense,” Pg. 57).
Isn’t it sad that many are like what Paul said in 2 Tim. 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to
come to the knowledge of the truth.” There have been many who have read and studied the
Bible and have failed to interpret and understand it. What a travesty! What we must
realize is that God has given us his written word, and he expects us to learn his will. But,
it makes no sense at all for God to give us his word if we cannot clearly and accurately
know the truth it teaches. “And ye shall know the truth, and truth shall make you free” are
the words of Jesus (John 8:32).