Am I interpreting the Bible right?

Semester 2, Week 1, 2022

2 Pet. 3:15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

Even the apostle Peter himself recognised the difficulty in understanding the Bible at times. So it is no surprise when we experience moments where we aren’t sure ourselves what the Bible is saying. There are a few things we should keep in mind that can help us to not be discouraged.

1.       What are some common interpretations of these verses?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  (Jer. 29:11)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. (Matt. 18:20)

2.       Who decides on the validity of any interpretation?

3.       Bad interpretations are often blamed on taking verses out of context. Why should context dictate interpretation? Isn’t that in itself an interpretation?

4.       Rank the following in order of importance when interpreting a text:

• Meaning of individual words

• Grammar & syntax

• Logic

• Historical background

• Genre

5.       Rank the following in order of significance when deciding between interpretations:

• My church’s position

• How I was taught as a kid

• How strongly I feel about it

• How reasonable it seems to me

• What the majority of Christians say

Most of the time, passages in which Christians disagree in interpretation, the difference is minor, harmless, or negligible. This is because while we may not be able to explain every little detail, the ‘gist’ of a passage usually is clear. In cases where the distinction is too stark, for eg. women leading churches vs not, we have to fall back to what is central.

Read 1 Corinthians 2.

7.       What does the chapter reveal about what Paul considers non-negotiable? Does it help in any way to deal with differences in opinion?

8.       Is there a difference between disagreeing with a Christian vs. a non-Christian?

9.       Can you think of an example in Jesus’ life where he exemplified this attitude?