Scripture interprets Scripture - Bible Study Framework

Scripture interprets Scripture is built on the belief that all Scripture is from God. Essentially, if all of the Bible is from an unchanging God then it must also be inerrant and without contradiction. It’s from one, divine author. Therefore, the goal should be to let Scripture interpret Scripture. We like the way it was put by Answers in Genesis:

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 "Should ‘Scripture interprets Scripture’ be our standard?"

We should have full confidence in Scripture interpreting Scripture since all Scripture is divine and perfect (from God)¹, its entirety forms a complete picture^{2,8,9,10,12,13}. The very idea that God is the sole author¹ forces the conclusion that Scripture cannot contradict itself⁵ and must also interpret itself – literally, God interprets God⁶. Of course, this doesn’t abdicate the need or necessity for drawing conclusions and/or teaching/explaining as needed^7,9,14. Jesus required the lawyer to form a conclusion after reading it¹⁰ (and only it).

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.

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. 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.

the answer above is built on and footnoted with the following scripture-blocks

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 inform?

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

Does it apply? Yes

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 inform?

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

Does it apply? Yes

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 inform?

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

Does it apply? Yes

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?

What the prophet’s spoke was not of their own but from God – His words and at His instigation. It was likewise not their’s to interpret but God’s alone. He gave them the interpretation just as He gave them the words.

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.

How does it inform?

Because the message was God’s alone, so was the interpretation.

Does it apply? Yes

8

Matthew 14:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread. But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve. Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

What does it say?

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by Satan. After fasting for 40 days and nights, Satan tempted with three appeals: hunger (physical nourishment), pride and glory. Jesus responds with “it is written” in every case.

What is the context?

Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist and has not yet begun his public ministry.

How does it inform?

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.

Does it apply? Yes

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 inform?

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

Does it apply? Yes

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 tested Jesus by asking him a question. Jesus replied with two questions about what he understood to be written in the Law. The lawyer gave an answer based on two passages in the Law (from

and

). Jesus said he answered right 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.

How does it inform?

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.

Does it apply? Yes

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.

How does it inform?

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.

Does it apply? Yes

14

Acts 17:11

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?

These Jews [Bereans] were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word eagerly, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if what we [Paul and Silas] said was so.

What is the context?

Paul is on his second missionary journey and has come to Berea after having to flee Thessalonica in the night for fear of being killed for preaching the gospel.

How does it inform?

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

Does it apply? Yes

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