Jump Start # 215

2 Peter 1:20-21 “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

  Sometimes folks get the idea that the Bible is like a pair of pajamas which is one size fits all. Have you ever tried on some of those “one size fit all” clothes. They don’t really fit, even though the tag says they should. The same is with Bible verses. We often try to make them fit every situation, and sometimes we use them in ways that God never intended.

  Our verse is one example of this. You get a couple of people together to discuss the Bible. Before long differences come up. When one feels a bit agitated and that he has had enough of that discussion, he proudly proclaims “well, that’s your interpretation. I have my own interpretation.” One size fits all!

  There are a few things we need to understand. First, the New Testament was written in Greek. From Greek it went to Latin, then German before it came to us in English. That’s a lot of traveling for those words! It helps to look at Bible words with a good Greek dictionary, such as Vine’s Expository Dictionary. I say all this, because the word, “interpretation” in our verse today, actually means “origin.” The context shows that. After saying “no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,” Peter adds, “for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will.” Peter is not talking about understanding Bible verses, that’s how we use the word interpretation. He is talking about the origination of Bible verses. Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired of God…”  The Bible came from God. It did not evolve from ancient stories as the cable TV shows imply. The Bible was not thought up by man. The words are God’s words. The Bible is the heart of God revealed. Peter’s verse is about inspiration.

  Now, this leads to a couple of thoughts. First, we must see that the Bible is from God. It is the supreme book. No other books are equal to the Bible. It stands alone. It is accurate, pure and right. It is from God. If a person doesn’t accept that thought, then he will have trouble with what the Bible says. If it is from God, then God said it and that settles it.

  What about this interpretation stuff? Why is it that there are so many different views on the Bible? Why so many conflicting ideas? They can’t all be right, because some of them are opposites. So, which is right? Can we know? I have my view, and you have your view, and others have their view. Does it matter?

  It has long been believed, that the Bible is so complicated and confusing that no two people can agree upon it. That is a depressing thought. How could any people have unity if they can’t agree? Paul told the Corinthians, “be of one mind.” He said to others, “speak the same thing.” How is it that we can study Shakespeare and agree upon what he wrote? How is it that we can study the causes of the Civil War and understand what led to that war? We can understand a piece of classical music. We can understand the poetry of Robert Frost. We can understand the editorial column in the newspaper. All these things we can get, but we can’t get the Bible? It seems to me that such thinking indicts God as a lousy writer. This thinking makes it appear that Shakespeare is a better writer than God?

  I don’t accept this line of thinking. I believe we can all understand the Bible. God is a brilliant author. He wrote in such a way that we can know exactly what He wanted us to know. The problem is not in the understanding, but in the commitment and application. God doesn’t allow a variety of opinions or ideas. He is the Lord. Paul would say in Ephesians 4 that there is “one faith.” Just as there is one God, one Lord, there is one faith. That is not our faith, but “THE” faith—God’s teaching.

  Have you ever noticed that when a person wears colored sunglasses, everything is tinted that same color. Green sunglasses makes everything a bit green. Tan sunglasses makes everything a bit tan. When we begin with preconceived ideas, notions and thoughts, every verse tends to look that way. We must take off those colored glasses. We must look openly, honestly at the Bible.

  Paul said in Ephesians, “be not unwise, but understand the will of the Lord.” We can know God’s will!  What a delight it is to know that we can all know what God wants. It’s not darkness. It’s not a mystery. God has a plan, a way and a truth.

  Don’t begin your study of the Bible with the notion that this is hard, confusing and no one ever can know this stuff. That’s a terrible way to start. God speaks to you through His word. He wants you to know. You can. Now, you can’t learn by casual reading, like the newspaper. You didn’t study your college courses that way either! What a thrilling experience to know that you and I can know the heart of God!

Roger