αὐξανόμενοι εἰς τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ Θεοῦ

Giuseppe Guarino

Why does the Bible need to be interpreted?

Or

How can we learn the right interpretation of Scripture?

I was invited to lead the Wednesday Bible study at New Hope. This is the outline of the study ditributed to those attending, with some little additions for the site. 

Inspiration – God is the Author of the Bible

The most quoted Bible verse when speaking of the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures is

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Interpretation

Here we will refer to another important passage concerning this vital doctrine, 2 Peter 1:20-21. These verses will guide us find the answer to the questions asked in the title of this study.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

We learn that God being the author of the Bible. And that the Scripture is not of “any private interpretation.”

What is the correct method of interpretation of the Bible? How can we understand God’s Word?

In Mark 4:34, the root of the word rendered in the KJV “expounded” and in the NKJV “explained”, is identical with the word translated “interpretation” in 2 Peter 1:20.

“… and when they were alone, he – Jesus - expounded (explained, literal: interpreted) all things to his disciples.” Mark 4:34.

Jesus spoke God’s Word. This Word needed to be “explained”, “interpreted”. He would do so, privately, to his disciples.

In Mark 4:9 Jesus calls the people listening to pay careful attention to his words.

“He that hath hears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4.9

The things that Jesus spoke were not hidden if not to those who were not interested in understanding what he actually meant when he spoke. We have a saying here in Sicily that goes almost like this: “no-one is more deaf than a person who does not want to hear.”

In fact, following Jesus’ statement, we read:

 “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him…”, Mark 4.10.

Those who were really interested in knowing of the things of God, in understanding God’s word. To use Jesus’ words: those that hath hears. They asked Jesus! They wanted to know! He would not disappoint them and explained everything to them.

We learn  from this incident that the Bible is inspired by God. That the way to correctly understand what it really means and in order to best apply it to our lives, we need God’s assistance.

The Holy Spirit

Jesus would call his disciples privately and explain the Word. Today Jesus is no longer physically among us. But he himself told his disciples:

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”

John 16.13

The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit promised to all that believe, to every member of the invisible body of the Church, He is our Teacher.

 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit… Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

I Corinthians 2: 9-14.

As we all know, one thing is to potentially being able to do something. But to actually benefit of God’s gift is something else. Potentially, every Christian, having the Spirit of God, is able to understand and interpret correctly God’s Word. The level of submission to this ministry of the Holy Spirit is personal.

Conclusion

God is the author of Scripture. He also is the interpreter. In Italy, there is an interpretation of a Law Text called Authentic, so called because it is the interpretation given by the author of the law himself.

If we want to understand what God’s Word really says, we need to humbly go to Him privately, asking for the guidance of His Holy Spirit!

As usual, He won’t let us down.

It is always His Grace and never our merit.

Catania, 17.02.2006