Who said scripture interprets scripture?

Scripture interprets Scripture is built on the belief that all Scripture is from God. Biblical hermeneutics, or the study of the principles of interpretation of Scripture, may assume authority in the means and methods used to interpret Scripture. In fact, according to Wikipedia, prevailing approaches to interpretation within the domain of biblical hermeneutics includes such things as “layers of meaning”, “reader’s context”, and “trajectory hermeneutics.” So where does that leave the simple idea that Scripture interprets Scripture and where does it come from?

The inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture is so profound that by studying it carefully, we can not understand only that we are reading truth, but learn how to know truth. This takes careful study and application, but it does not require a Bible college degree. Scripture itself is our best theology professor in helping us understand and apply Scripture.

How does Scripture interpret Scripture, Answers in Genesis

How Scripture answers "Who said scripture interprets scripture?"

God said that scripture interprets scripture^{1,2,5,6,11,12,15}. Furthermore, it is the only practice for interpretation we see in the Bible^{3,4,7,8,9,10,13,14}. We never see someone consulting alternative sources or human wisdom. In fact, we are commanded not to go beyond what is written¹⁵. Its entirety forms a complete picture^{2,8,9,10,12,13}. The very idea that God is the sole author^1,6 forces the conclusion that Scripture cannot contradict itself⁵ and must also fully interpret itself since God cannot lie. Of course, we still must draw conclusions and/or teach/explain as needed^7,9,14. Jesus required the lawyer to form a conclusion after reading it¹⁰ (and only it¹⁵). Scripture is the sole source for morality and obedience…it was this way for those under the Law^3,4,7,8,10 (“Scripture” for that time) as well as for those (like Timothy¹ and us) under the Gospel^{9,11,13,14,15}.

Further Study if you're interested...

The Bible Study Framework is built specifically for the purpose of “forcing” we humans to let Scripture interpret Scripture. We specifically want to steer away from the other human tendencies that might inhibit Scripture’s ability to interpret Scripture. Of course, there comes a point where we have to draw a conclusion. “What is this passage telling us?” We can still go wrong here, but the steps of the BSF are intended to keep us pointed in the right direction for the best possible conclusion…

Hopefully, we can deal with Scripture honestly. Looking at what it says. Putting it in the proper context of “all Scripture,” without going beyond Scripture with too much context. Gathering any, only, all passage(s) that might apply without Scripture weighting or disqualifying any part of God’s word because “it doesn’t fit” our preconceived belief or doctrine.

Yes

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1

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What does it say?

All Scripture is spoken by God and necessary for teaching, for rebuke, for correction and training in righteousness so that a man of God would be spiritually equipped and ready for any good work.

What is the context?

Paul is writing to the younger Timothy and giving general advice about his work in preaching the Gospel. Paul has repeated contrasted those that are teaching false doctrine and their motives for doing so against how Timothy should conduct himself.

How does it apply here?

Scripture is the only thing authorized for Godly teaching and training. If it’s not complete and interpreting unto itself, then God has lied.

2

John 10:35-36

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God?

What does it say?

If the one [the psalmist, in this case, Asaph] to whom the word of God was given called them gods, and since Scripture cannot be loosed or incorrect, how do you charge me, the one who the Father set apart to enter this world, with blasphemy for saying that I’m the Son of God?

What is the context?

The Jews are prepared to stone Jesus (vs 31) for blasphemy (vs 33). Jesus had just indirectly claimed to be the Son of God (vs 25). He has just quoted from Ps 82:6, “I said, ‘You are gods, sons of the Most High; all of you;” (vs 34) where human judges, as representatives of God on earth, are called gods and uses it to turn the discussion toward their disbelief.

How does it apply here?

Similar to, and even building on the Timothy passage¹, since Scripture is all equally important and comes from one source (God), Jesus adds the idea of “entirety” and “completeness.” It is a unit that cannot be broken.

3

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

What does it say?

When the king sits on his throne, he will write a personal copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. He shall keep it with him and read it all the days of his life. By doing this, he will learn to obey God by adhering to the words and doing them. It will also keep him humble, not thinking better of himself over others, keeping on the narrow path and living long in his kingdom.

What is the context?

Moses is re-telling the law to the people before they enter in to the Promised Land.

How does it apply here?

Scripture’s care, preservation and studying are demonstrated, giving us a principle of how God expects us to know Him and the means by which we know and understand.

4

Deuteronomy 31:11-13

when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law,

What does it say?

When everyone comes before God [to worship] at the place He will choose, you shall read this law for everyone to hear. Assemble all people – men, women, children, and the foreigner – that they may hear and learn to obey God, being careful to do all the words of this law.

What is the context?

Moses is re-telling the law of God to the people before entering the Promised Land. Here, he is giving this instruction of public reading to occur every seven years when they are together for the Feast of Booths.

How does it apply here?

The reading of the law (all of it) was to be the source (single) for not just the kings but for all the people.

5

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (As in all the churches of the saints,)

What does it say?

God is not a God of instability or disorder, but of order. An in all the churches of the saints….

What is the context?

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about orderly worship. In this immediate context, he’s applying this truth to discourage everyone from speaking at once in worship. In particular, they were using miraculous gifts of tongues improperly (with no interpreter – vs 27).

The second part of this verse is punctuated to start a new paragraph that continues with verse 34 to read, “As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.”

Other translations such as the KJV and NASB punctuate and include it with verse 33 to read, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

How does it apply here?

Paul is making a universal statement about God’s character that can be applied to the inerrancy of Scripture (since it comes from God).

6

2 Peter 1:19-21

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

What does it say?

We have the prophetic word that is more sure which you should pay close attention to as it is a lamp that shines in the dark. It shines until that day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts/minds. You know of first importance that no prophecy of Scripture came from one’s own interpretation, but rather the men were moved by the Holy Spirit to share what was from God.

What is the context?

Peter is warning all Christians about false teachers and goes on to compare them to false prophets. His overarching message is encouragement to hold fast to his and the apostles’ teaching as they “were eyewitnesses” (vs 16) of Jesus Christ. In addition to their eyewitness testimony, he is suggesting they pay attention to the prophecies that serve as confirmation of their faith, and he continues in the next few verses to warn about “false words” from “false teachers” (2:1-3).

How does it apply here?

The words of Scripture are God’s words and were not “filtered” or given their own meaning by those that were “carried along” to write them.

8

Matthew 4:1-2

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted 40 days and 40 nights he was famished.

What does it say?

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by Satan and was famished after fasting forty days and nights.

What is the context?

Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist and has not yet begun his public ministry. He is led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted and is there fasting for forty days and forty nights. Satan tempts Jesus three times, each time appealing to a different facet of our ego.

How does it apply here?

In each temptation, Satan either uses direct scripture or a scriptural principle to justify his claim. On the surface, Satan’s statements are not false except when Jesus expands the thought or principle with additional Scripture. In each case, Jesus applies the ‘Scripture interprets Scripture’ principle.

!! scripture-block context extra important here !!

9

Acts 28:23

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

What does it say?

After appointing a day, they came to his quarters in greater numbers. He preached all day, giving witness to the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them about Jesus using the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

What is the context?

Paul has finally arrived at Rome (as a prisoner). He has greeted the brethren (fellow Christians) and is calling for an audience with his Jewish brethren (vs 17) to share more about the “hope of Israel” (vs 20). Some believed and others didn’t, but Paul ended up staying two years “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs 31)

How does it apply here?

Paul preaches the gospel message (kingdom of God and Jesus) using the Law and Prophets.

10

Luke 10:25-28

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it? And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And he said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.

What does it say?

A lawyer stood to test Jesus and asked him what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus in turn responded by asking him what was written and how he interpreted it. The lawyer answered by quoting two verses from the Law. The first was from Deuteronomy and said that one should love God with all his heart. The second was from Leviticus and said that one should love his neighbor as himself. Jesus said he answered correctly and that if he practiced them he would live.

What is the context?

Jesus is in the midst of His public ministry, teaching the people while gaining notoriety. The lawyer quoted two passages in the Law (from

and

How does it apply here?

This exchange demonstrates the Scripture interprets Scripture principle. At Jesus’ behest, the lawyer correctly concluded what was required to inherit eternal life, not from any explicit passage but from the full body of work in the Law and Prophets.

11

1 Peter 4:10-11

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What does it say?

As each has been given, use it to serve your brethren in order to be good stewards of God’s grace: whoever speaks, as one speaking God’s words and whoever serves, as one strengthened by God’s rich supply – doing all to the glory of God through Christ Jesus, to whom belongs all glory and dominion forever. Amen.

What is the context?

Peter’s first letter to the “elect exiles” (brethren) that were faced with “various trials” (1:6). He wrote to strengthen and encourage them since it was the “end of all things” (vs 7) and they could or likely would be tested by a “fiery trial” (vs 12).

How does it apply here?

In the broader context of serving each other, Peter is counseling Christians that they speak encouraging words being mindful to stay within the authority of God’s word.

14

Acts 17:10-11

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.

What does it say?

The brethren quickly got Paul and Silas out of town when it was dark, heading to Berea. When they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now the Jewish Bereans were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they eagerly heard the gospel message and examined the scriptures carefully every day to see if what they were taught was from God.

What is the context?

Paul is on his second missionary journey with Silas. They had to flee Thessalonica for fear of being killed by those jealous (vs 5) of them preaching the gospel. These same Jews actually followed them there to disrupt their cause (vs 13).

How does it apply here?

The Bereans received the gospel message from the apostle Paul – an inspired authority on God’s word! Yet they still proved his message to be from God by “examining the scriptures.”

15

2 John 1:9-11

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

What does it say?

Anyone that gets in front of the teaching of Christ does not abide in it and does not have God. You must remain in the teaching to have both the Father and the Son. If someone comes to you without this teaching, do not honor him with hospitality or acceptance because in so doing you partake in his evil ways.

What is the context?

The apostle John is warning brethren (likely a local church – vs 1) about false teachers (as was much of his first epistle referring to “antichrists” having come). He specifically tells them to “watch yourselves” (vs 8).

How does it apply here?

We are not permitted to get in front of or add to God’s word. We must “abide in the teaching of Christ.”

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…and if you’re wondering more about what we’re doing and why, here are some links we hope can help explain it (and maybe even get you excited about contributing):

the Bible Study Framework and scripture-blocks
our format and the anatomy of a question
our mission and the Bible study standard that we follow
our top four obstacles to letting scripture interpret scripture

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Who said scripture interprets scripture?

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