Can We Understand the Bible?
by Bryan Gibson (adapted by Dave Brown)
After reading the article below, please consider several other articles that you can link to (see slides above):
Can We Understand the Bible?
by Bryan Gibson (adapted by Dave Brown)
First Some Questions
Have you ever been told that the bible is too hard to understand? Did you believe it? Many people do not even try to study the bible because they have been taught that it is beyond their capability to understand. Why would anyone teach this? The New Testament, which is that part of the bible that all men are subject to in this day and age, is quite short, and most of it is quite easy to understand. The Old Testament is organized so that the basic concepts that support the New Testament can be grasped with a bit more study. We encourage you to read the article below. Then ask that question again … why are some people trying to convince me that I cannot understand the bible?
Satan's Favorite Lie
The only reason that we can think that someone would say that you cannot understand the bible is that they do not want you to challenge them. Sound gospel preachers teach their students to search the scriptures and think for themselves, and they are overjoyed when they see their students studying and coming to their own conclusions, even if this conflicts with the preacher’s own thinking on a subject. It is critically important that your beliefs are based on what God’s word says, not on what other people tell you to believe.
Jesus had this to say about the devil (Satan): “Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). We may know some convincingly “good liars," but none of them could possibly measure up to Satan. Among his many lies is this whopper: “the average man cannot understand the Bible.” This lie has kept many from studying the Bible on their own, making them susceptible to a variety of false doctrines. Don’t let this lie justify your apathy – get your bible and make an attempt to understand it, starting with that part that is applicable to us today – the New Testament. The following points expose Satan’s lie:
First, God desires that we understand His word—that we …
These writings were addressed to normal Christians just like you and me. Would God desire that we know and act upon His word, and then make it impossible understand? Coupled with this desire of God is the fact that God has the ability to make His word understandable. Who would argue with that, when according to Jeremiah 32:17, "there is nothing too hard for God?" Do we honestly think that God failed in His effort to make his word understandable, when that is exactly what He had his heart set on? Who is willing to charge the God who designed the brains in our heads with such incompetence?
Consider, too, God’s plans or goals for His word—that which He seeks to accomplish through His word: (a) to produce faith (Romans 10:17); (b) to convict us of sin (John 16:7-15), (c) to sanctify us (John 17:17), (d) to set us free (John 8:31-32), (e) to revive, strengthen, and uphold us (Psalms 119:25, 28, 116); (f) to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17), (g) to save our souls (James 1:21), and there are many others. God’s word is powerless to do these things if we cannot understand it.
Finally, to confirm how evil this lie of Satan is, consider: Deuteronomy 30:11-14: "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." This is quoted in Romans 10:8: "But what does it say? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith that we preach: …"
Jesus' Statements on the Subject
To further counter the devil’s argument, let’s focus on the attitude of Jesus toward this subject. This will settle the matter for all followers of Jesus.
First, Jesus expected people to read the Scriptures (the O.T. Scriptures existed during Jesus’ day). In discussing points of doctrine, Jesus often asked the question, “Have you never read?” After that, Jesus would quote the passage they should have read (examples: Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; 22:31). On one occasion, when there was a misunderstanding about the resurrection, Jesus said, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures” (Matt. 22:29). The implication, of course, is that they should have known and understood the Scriptures. On another occasion Jesus based his argument on a single word in a passage (John 10:33-36), and another time on the tense of a verb (Matt. 22:29-33). Clearly, Jesus expected the Jews, to whom the Old Testament law applied, to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of it.
If anything, our responsibility is even greater today, seeing that we also have very easy access to the New Testament Scriptures (for many of us it is totally free). Think about it—God has: (a) revealed “all truth” to us (John 16:13), (b) told us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), and (c) given us the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t even bother to read (or hear) what God has revealed because someone convinced us we could not understand it?
Clearly, Jesus expected folks to understand what they read (and what they heard Him teach). In Matthew 15:10, before teaching on a particular subject, Jesus began by saying “hear and understand.” When they failed to understand, Jesus gently rebuked them by saying, “Are you also still without understanding?” (Matthew 15:16). In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about someone who “hears the word and understands it” (Matthew 13:23). According to Jesus, understanding the Parable of the Sower was the key to understanding the other parables (Mark 4:13). Jesus made other statements like: (a) “If you had known what this means” (Matt. 12:7); (b) “Go and learn what this means” (Matt. 9:13); (c) “How is it that you do not understand?” (Matthew 16:11); and (d) “Why do you not understand My speech?” (John 8:43). So on this point there can be no dispute--Jesus expects us to understand God’s word. If someone doesn’t understand, he has only himself to blame. Believing and proclaiming that it cannot be understood will not be an acceptable excuse on the day of judgment.
Perhaps there would be less talk about our inability to understand the Bible if we just tried harder—if we pursued understanding with the zeal described in the following passage: “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).
Don’t trust others to tell you what the Bible says. Read it for yourself—you may be surprised how easy the understanding is, and you will be rewarded by your own assurance that you have received knowledge directly from God.
Why is it Many Do Not Understand?
If the will of God can be understood, why then do we have so much division in the religious world? Why do so many churches teach different doctrines, even teaching different conditions of salvation? Is the Bible to blame? That seems to be what many want us to believe. Let’s consider the true source of these problems.
1. Some people are just “too smart” (proud) to understand the Bible.
Even the simplest points are seen as “foolishness” to them as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 1:18-21:
18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
A prime example of this is the subject of baptism. The New Testament clearly teaches that baptism is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), but many people don’t see it that way. Why? Because it seems foolish to them that being immersed in water could have anything to do with our salvation. And because it seems so foolish to them, they come up with vague explanation of clear passages rather than accepting the truth being conveyed by plain and simple language. Calling baptism a work (which it is not), they pit passage against passage which only leads to confusion.
2. Some people are too carnal (or worldly) to understand the Bible.
This was addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14: "Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged."
It is not that they are hard to understand, it is that their carnality totally prevents the truth from penetrating their souls and sinking into their hearts so that the truth can be spiritually accepted. There were certain teachings the Corinthians were unable to receive, because they were “still carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:3). Why do so many stumble over Jesus’ teachings on divorce and remarriage in Matthew 19:9? It is not because the basic teaching is unclear. It is because some try to alter the passage to fit their worldly way of thinking. Read the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:38-44, where he talks about going the extra mile and loving your enemies. A carnal mind will find it impossible to comprehend what Jesus is saying, and may even ridicule it. The spiritual heart is one that hungers and thirsts after righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and gladly understands these truths.
3. Some people are just not seeking truth.
They are looking for what fits their pre-conceived notions. They try to make the Bible say what they already believe. And if we “twist” it hard enough, we can make the Bible say just about anything we want it to say. The command in Job 2:9 is a good example: “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” It is just a matter of taking the last phrase out of context and attributing it to God. Examine how some people twist things around and you will see that this is really not that absurd. Or how about: Ephesians 4:28: “Let him that stole steal, no more … working with his hands …” This is a misquote created just by altering a little punctuation and dropping out a few word. (The reasoning seems to be: why not, no one will ever check.) While we agree that these illustrations border on the ridiculous, they do show how we can force the Bible to say some strange things. And there are many strange things that are being taught as “Bible” today.
4. Finally, some people just do not make the necessary effort.
Yes, and it does take some effort (Proverbs 2:1-5; 2 Timothy 2:15). A lot of false teaching can be traced back to a lack of study on the part of Christians – just being too lazy to check the preacher – it is much easier to just accept whatever sounds good. Ideas get taught before thorough study has been made. While some passages in the Bible are more difficult than others, the more we grow in knowledge and wisdom, the easier these passages become.
Good preachers know that they are not perfect, and that they can make mistakes even when trying their best to teach only the truth. While teachers will receive the heavier judgment (James 3:1), this does not mean that we give up and accept whatever is taught. If you want your life to be conformed to the will of God, then you have an individual responsibility to establish the truth for yourself in your own heart and mind. To do that requires continual concerted study, and we know that most of you anxiously anticipate that challenge.
Difficult Passages?
Yes, there are some difficult passages in the Bible, a fact that the Biblical writers do not deny. Speaking about the writings of Paul, the apostle Peter said: “…in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16).
Notice two things about this passage. First, it says hard to understand, not impossible. Second, there is no indication given that because these passages are hard to understand that we can each have “our own interpretation.” The passage even condemns those who would “twist” (or distort) the true meaning of these passages. If we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Peter 3:18), the hard passages become a little easier for us—we are able to handle the “meat” as well as the “milk” (Hebrews 5:11-14).
But why would God even want to make some passages hard to understand? Why not make it where we can all understand, with the least amount of effort? Certain passages indicate that the word of God was written the way it is in order to separate those who love the truth from those who do not:
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to naught by the manifestation of his coming;
9(even he), whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
It was also written in such a way, as were Jesus teachings, to separate: (a) the humble from the proud (Matt. 11:25), (b ) the honest from the deceitful (2 Pet. 3:16), and (c) the diligent from the lazy (2 Timothy 2:15). Proper understanding is reserved for those who want the truth very badly (Proverbs 2:1-5). For a more detailed discussion of the reason for difficult passages, click here.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Return to the Understanding landing page.
- Alleged Contradictions
- Differences Between the Old and New Testaments
- Bible Complexity
- Why are there Difficult Passages
- Causes of Common Errors (landing page to access the following)
- The Bible's Second Purpose (response to those who claim reading the Bible made them atheist)
- Why Many Will Not Obey
- Hasty Generalization
- Language of Ashdod
- Insertion of the "Only" Word
Can We Understand the Bible?
by Bryan Gibson (adapted by Dave Brown)
First Some Questions
Have you ever been told that the bible is too hard to understand? Did you believe it? Many people do not even try to study the bible because they have been taught that it is beyond their capability to understand. Why would anyone teach this? The New Testament, which is that part of the bible that all men are subject to in this day and age, is quite short, and most of it is quite easy to understand. The Old Testament is organized so that the basic concepts that support the New Testament can be grasped with a bit more study. We encourage you to read the article below. Then ask that question again … why are some people trying to convince me that I cannot understand the bible?
Satan's Favorite Lie
The only reason that we can think that someone would say that you cannot understand the bible is that they do not want you to challenge them. Sound gospel preachers teach their students to search the scriptures and think for themselves, and they are overjoyed when they see their students studying and coming to their own conclusions, even if this conflicts with the preacher’s own thinking on a subject. It is critically important that your beliefs are based on what God’s word says, not on what other people tell you to believe.
Jesus had this to say about the devil (Satan): “Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). We may know some convincingly “good liars," but none of them could possibly measure up to Satan. Among his many lies is this whopper: “the average man cannot understand the Bible.” This lie has kept many from studying the Bible on their own, making them susceptible to a variety of false doctrines. Don’t let this lie justify your apathy – get your bible and make an attempt to understand it, starting with that part that is applicable to us today – the New Testament. The following points expose Satan’s lie:
First, God desires that we understand His word—that we …
- “… are filled with the knowledge of His will in all ... spiritual understanding …” Colossians 1:9
- “… have the full riches of complete understanding …” Colossians 2:2
- “… understand what the will of the Lord is …” Ephesians 5:17
- “… be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4
These writings were addressed to normal Christians just like you and me. Would God desire that we know and act upon His word, and then make it impossible understand? Coupled with this desire of God is the fact that God has the ability to make His word understandable. Who would argue with that, when according to Jeremiah 32:17, "there is nothing too hard for God?" Do we honestly think that God failed in His effort to make his word understandable, when that is exactly what He had his heart set on? Who is willing to charge the God who designed the brains in our heads with such incompetence?
Consider, too, God’s plans or goals for His word—that which He seeks to accomplish through His word: (a) to produce faith (Romans 10:17); (b) to convict us of sin (John 16:7-15), (c) to sanctify us (John 17:17), (d) to set us free (John 8:31-32), (e) to revive, strengthen, and uphold us (Psalms 119:25, 28, 116); (f) to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17), (g) to save our souls (James 1:21), and there are many others. God’s word is powerless to do these things if we cannot understand it.
Finally, to confirm how evil this lie of Satan is, consider: Deuteronomy 30:11-14: "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." This is quoted in Romans 10:8: "But what does it say? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith that we preach: …"
Jesus' Statements on the Subject
To further counter the devil’s argument, let’s focus on the attitude of Jesus toward this subject. This will settle the matter for all followers of Jesus.
First, Jesus expected people to read the Scriptures (the O.T. Scriptures existed during Jesus’ day). In discussing points of doctrine, Jesus often asked the question, “Have you never read?” After that, Jesus would quote the passage they should have read (examples: Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; 22:31). On one occasion, when there was a misunderstanding about the resurrection, Jesus said, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures” (Matt. 22:29). The implication, of course, is that they should have known and understood the Scriptures. On another occasion Jesus based his argument on a single word in a passage (John 10:33-36), and another time on the tense of a verb (Matt. 22:29-33). Clearly, Jesus expected the Jews, to whom the Old Testament law applied, to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of it.
If anything, our responsibility is even greater today, seeing that we also have very easy access to the New Testament Scriptures (for many of us it is totally free). Think about it—God has: (a) revealed “all truth” to us (John 16:13), (b) told us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), and (c) given us the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t even bother to read (or hear) what God has revealed because someone convinced us we could not understand it?
Clearly, Jesus expected folks to understand what they read (and what they heard Him teach). In Matthew 15:10, before teaching on a particular subject, Jesus began by saying “hear and understand.” When they failed to understand, Jesus gently rebuked them by saying, “Are you also still without understanding?” (Matthew 15:16). In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about someone who “hears the word and understands it” (Matthew 13:23). According to Jesus, understanding the Parable of the Sower was the key to understanding the other parables (Mark 4:13). Jesus made other statements like: (a) “If you had known what this means” (Matt. 12:7); (b) “Go and learn what this means” (Matt. 9:13); (c) “How is it that you do not understand?” (Matthew 16:11); and (d) “Why do you not understand My speech?” (John 8:43). So on this point there can be no dispute--Jesus expects us to understand God’s word. If someone doesn’t understand, he has only himself to blame. Believing and proclaiming that it cannot be understood will not be an acceptable excuse on the day of judgment.
Perhaps there would be less talk about our inability to understand the Bible if we just tried harder—if we pursued understanding with the zeal described in the following passage: “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).
Don’t trust others to tell you what the Bible says. Read it for yourself—you may be surprised how easy the understanding is, and you will be rewarded by your own assurance that you have received knowledge directly from God.
Why is it Many Do Not Understand?
If the will of God can be understood, why then do we have so much division in the religious world? Why do so many churches teach different doctrines, even teaching different conditions of salvation? Is the Bible to blame? That seems to be what many want us to believe. Let’s consider the true source of these problems.
1. Some people are just “too smart” (proud) to understand the Bible.
Even the simplest points are seen as “foolishness” to them as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 1:18-21:
18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to naught.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
A prime example of this is the subject of baptism. The New Testament clearly teaches that baptism is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), but many people don’t see it that way. Why? Because it seems foolish to them that being immersed in water could have anything to do with our salvation. And because it seems so foolish to them, they come up with vague explanation of clear passages rather than accepting the truth being conveyed by plain and simple language. Calling baptism a work (which it is not), they pit passage against passage which only leads to confusion.
2. Some people are too carnal (or worldly) to understand the Bible.
This was addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14: "Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged."
It is not that they are hard to understand, it is that their carnality totally prevents the truth from penetrating their souls and sinking into their hearts so that the truth can be spiritually accepted. There were certain teachings the Corinthians were unable to receive, because they were “still carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:3). Why do so many stumble over Jesus’ teachings on divorce and remarriage in Matthew 19:9? It is not because the basic teaching is unclear. It is because some try to alter the passage to fit their worldly way of thinking. Read the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:38-44, where he talks about going the extra mile and loving your enemies. A carnal mind will find it impossible to comprehend what Jesus is saying, and may even ridicule it. The spiritual heart is one that hungers and thirsts after righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and gladly understands these truths.
3. Some people are just not seeking truth.
They are looking for what fits their pre-conceived notions. They try to make the Bible say what they already believe. And if we “twist” it hard enough, we can make the Bible say just about anything we want it to say. The command in Job 2:9 is a good example: “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” It is just a matter of taking the last phrase out of context and attributing it to God. Examine how some people twist things around and you will see that this is really not that absurd. Or how about: Ephesians 4:28: “Let him that stole steal, no more … working with his hands …” This is a misquote created just by altering a little punctuation and dropping out a few word. (The reasoning seems to be: why not, no one will ever check.) While we agree that these illustrations border on the ridiculous, they do show how we can force the Bible to say some strange things. And there are many strange things that are being taught as “Bible” today.
4. Finally, some people just do not make the necessary effort.
Yes, and it does take some effort (Proverbs 2:1-5; 2 Timothy 2:15). A lot of false teaching can be traced back to a lack of study on the part of Christians – just being too lazy to check the preacher – it is much easier to just accept whatever sounds good. Ideas get taught before thorough study has been made. While some passages in the Bible are more difficult than others, the more we grow in knowledge and wisdom, the easier these passages become.
Good preachers know that they are not perfect, and that they can make mistakes even when trying their best to teach only the truth. While teachers will receive the heavier judgment (James 3:1), this does not mean that we give up and accept whatever is taught. If you want your life to be conformed to the will of God, then you have an individual responsibility to establish the truth for yourself in your own heart and mind. To do that requires continual concerted study, and we know that most of you anxiously anticipate that challenge.
Difficult Passages?
Yes, there are some difficult passages in the Bible, a fact that the Biblical writers do not deny. Speaking about the writings of Paul, the apostle Peter said: “…in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16).
Notice two things about this passage. First, it says hard to understand, not impossible. Second, there is no indication given that because these passages are hard to understand that we can each have “our own interpretation.” The passage even condemns those who would “twist” (or distort) the true meaning of these passages. If we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Peter 3:18), the hard passages become a little easier for us—we are able to handle the “meat” as well as the “milk” (Hebrews 5:11-14).
But why would God even want to make some passages hard to understand? Why not make it where we can all understand, with the least amount of effort? Certain passages indicate that the word of God was written the way it is in order to separate those who love the truth from those who do not:
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to naught by the manifestation of his coming;
9(even he), whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
It was also written in such a way, as were Jesus teachings, to separate: (a) the humble from the proud (Matt. 11:25), (b ) the honest from the deceitful (2 Pet. 3:16), and (c) the diligent from the lazy (2 Timothy 2:15). Proper understanding is reserved for those who want the truth very badly (Proverbs 2:1-5). For a more detailed discussion of the reason for difficult passages, click here.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Return to the Understanding landing page.