Rightly Dividing

[Rick]

Rightly Dividing

As a Christian we are to rightly divide the word of truth and to study to show ourselves approved. Jesus commanded that we search the scriptures. Even the Apostle Paul warned Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. Revealing that there is indeed a danger involved in wrongly dividing the truth. Although I am not an expert in Bible interpretation, I believe there are certain things that we can all do, that will enhance our understanding and studies, whether we be new in the faith or have been a christian for many years.

I have seen much mentioned on the boards concerning rightly dividing the truth of God's Word. I have seen it used in defense of many beliefs and doctrines. But would like to give some basic information that may help in better understanding God's word, and in studying the scriptures even better.

We all must be very careful not to read anything into scriptures that is not there to begin with, and must not take scriptures out of context and use them to enforce a doctrinal belief that we may already have. The Word of God is independent of any denominational belief, and we should be willing to readily alter our beliefs, or scrap them entirely, if they are in contrast to clear scriptural teachings. We must only read them in the correct context in which they are presented. It is in this regard that we can bring our beliefs into the light of God's Word and see if we are in correct alignment with it.

Our first priority in searching out the scriptures should be that we meet the requirements of God's word to be qualified to interpret it correctly. The Bible is a spiritual book that requires spiritual understanding. The unsaved are not qualified to interpret God's word correctly. For proper understanding, salvation is a must!

" 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. " 1 Cor. 2:13-14.

In addition,, we must not have unbroken fellowship with God that would hinder our relationship with Him. It is important that we maintain a life that is in obediance to Him in order that we may be led of His Spirit.

We must also have a sincere desire to know God's Word and posess a reverance and respect for it as of being the Word of God.

It is important to not enter into study with pre-conceived ideas. We should prayerfully seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in correctly interpreting the information we read, and hold to. And allow the Word of God to be the final authority in our belief.

In studying the scriptures we should examine the context in which it is given and not attempt to compare it to other scriptures which are not in the same context. This is extrememly important in rightly dividing the truth. Alot of false doctrines come from taking scripture out of context.

There are other resources as well that can make Bible study easier, such as a concordance, a Bible Commentary, Bible Dictionary , etc.

These are basic helps that I hope will make rightly dividing God's word easier for all of us. When we have a clear understanding based on God's word, we are confident in our faith, and not only know what we believe, but know why we believe it, and that we are in agreement with the Word of God.

Rick

[Guest shadow2b]

-Our first priority in searching out the scriptures should be that we meet the requirements of God's word to be qualified to interpret it correctly. The Bible is a spiritual book that requires spiritual understanding.

-Very WeLL put together Rick---very truthful--But{don't ya just hate those little BUTS??}I must

-dis-agree on one little aspect you have presented...I doNOT believe the Bible is to be"interpreted"

-by any one.....

-2nd.Peter.1.vss.20-21--------

-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....

-Now based on these scriptures I believe "the scriptures"have already been"interpreted"by the

-HOLY-GHOST & need NO further "interpretation"only read--studied--accepted as written---

-Paul stated{& he was caughtup to the third heaven wasn't he??& saw things not lawful to utter}

-I mean that's a pretty good reference on a resume isn't it??ahhh-well i digress---sorry---

-Gal.1.vs.8-------

-But though we,or an angel from heaven,preach any other gospel unto you than that which we

-have preached unto you,let him be accursed...

-vss.11 & 12 would look pretty good on a resume too, wouldn't they????

-Anyhow back to the subject I hope...Isn't Paul stating that he"taught"or "preached"the true gospel

-or taught the truth of the scriptures???Without interpreting them??OR did he interpret??

-I know there's always that little statement{WeLL"that's" your interpretation}that I run into quite

-a bit,BUT{again?}honestly & truthfully I am NOT trying to"interpret"any scripture--I search for

-another scripture really TWO that "explain"&/or clarify the one being studied or discussed-----

-2nd.Cor.13.vs.1---------

-This is the third time I am coming to you.In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall

-every word be established....

-And then of course there is inevitably the{WeLL, there's been sooooo many translations}& the

-real meanings have been lost or mis-interpreted by"fallible-men"BUT{again?}I am firmly convinced

-that there is an INFALLIBLE-GOD-WHO-CAN-PRESERVE-HIS-WORD-INFALLIBLY--!!!!!!

-For HIS"fallible"children,Especially when"THAT-INFALLIBLE-GOD-"has left the SAME"INFALLIBLE-

-HOLY-SPIRIT-that wrote"GOD'S INFALLIBLE-WORD"-here to"GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH"-

-John.16.vs.13--------

-Howbeit when HE,the SPIRIT of truth,is come,HE will guide you into all truth;for HE shall not speak

-of HIMSELF;but whatsoever HE shall hear,that shall HE speak;

-and HE will shew you things to come.......

-SO based on these scriptures I am quite sure the HOLY-SPIRIT of TRUTH is quite capable of

-"guiding"us into ALL TRUTH-----Right???

-Just some "thoughts" I "thought" you might find "thought"provoking---- --Gary--

[hazel]

Although I must agree with Bro. Gary on the "little but", I found much of what you had to say very helpful, and true. I hope everyone reads what you had to say, and heeds your warnings. It's so easy to get off track without the help of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for posting this, Rick.

[Rick]

Gary,

Interpret has more than one definition. One of which is to present in understandable terms. For example, an interpreter interpreting a langauge from one to another, does not change the meaning of the words spoken, but only presents them in the context of another language. Interpreting the scriptures correctly in this sense is to understand them in the context of the meaning presented. Not out of context. Not to ascribe a meaning to them seperate from the one established. Which would make it a private interpretation.

Rick

[Guest shadow2b]

- Interpreting the scriptures correctly in this sense is to understand them in the context of the meaning presented. Not out of context. Not to ascribe a meaning to them seperate from the one established. Which would make it a private interpretation.

-hmmmmmmm??? I think I are jes slightly CONfused--uhhh??WeLL that's not quite true,I are a

-whole LOT confused------now....sheeeesssshhhh I would ask ya to splain that,But I are

-skeered to......

[Rick]

O.k., My last shot at this, its time to move on to something else. Interpret is not a dirty word.

It's mentioned in the Bible in more verses than just the one concerning private interpretations. Which I was not, and would not imply. No way, no how, under any circumstances whatsoever. simply stating...It is understanding in the context that the scripture was intended. Sometimes scriptures have to be compared to relating verses in order to understand the context. Gary, If that doesn't help. ...I dont know what else to say Bro. Ya'll get whut I'z is tawki'n bouts? I Knowz dat da folk's awl talks differently down under whar's ye is, but tis da bestus I kin do's bruddah shadder. !

~ Rick ~

[Guest shadow2b]

- O.k., My last shot at this, its time to move on to something else. Interpret is not a dirty word. 

-whhhhhheeeeeewwwwww--thanky fer cleanin--uhhh??clearing that up Bro.

-It's mentioned in the Bible in more verses than just the one concerning private interpretations. Which I was not, and would not imply. No way, no how, under any circumstances whatsoever-

-wyyyyyy Rick--I never even thunk that yuu mighta said anything like that whatsoever-& wudd NOT

-imply.No way,no how,unnner enny circumstances whatsoever.

-Sometimes scriptures have to be compared to relating verses in order to understand the context.

-okey-dokey-I think I kin unnerstan that.{uhhh? yuu did keep that in context didn't yuse bro.?}

[Rick]

-okey-dokey-I think I kin unnerstan that.{uhhh? yuu did keep that in context didn't yuse bro.?}

Let me check my shiskcombobulator and make sure I used that in the proper contextity of da sitchiashun fer which it be divisided fer.....* punches in crucial data*..* Hits Get er dun button*.......*waiting..it's slow*...........*listens to hummmmmm*......Kerthunk!....Yep! It's ready....

Says here...If'n its done an went ta da state uh da complexity in da splain'n apartment...an eets done went an got all fuzzled up an looks akin ta a 6010 welding rod wif'n da flux done half banged off'n it...din its too late fer ta do anything wif and one guessn's jist as good as da next un. lol

God Bless Bro,

Rick

[His son]

Rightly dividing the Word Of Truth I believe is explained The Bible old testament Scriptures that say the following.

Isa 28:9-11

9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

(KJV)

[Guest shadow2b]

-Says here...If'n its done an went ta da state uh da complexity in da splain'n apartment...an eets done went an got all fuzzled up an looks akin ta a 6010 welding rod wif'n da flux done half banged off'n it...din its too late fer ta do anything wif and one guessn's jist as good as da next un.

-WeLLLLLLLL,I reckon We erre jes gonna haff ta AcCept that as da FINal werd from such a learned

-AuthOritY as our Brother which dunn wenT & CoNvinceD me HE do kno whuTT hes a talkin about..

-Now Bro. jes WhaTt is it thet YOU knows bout them thaRr 6010 weltin rOds??hmmmmm???

-Shorely you ainta no welter erre yuse??cuzz iffun yya is a welter, wyyyyyy,yo credibility as a purty

-good Bible scholar as weLL as an all around intellygent person & jes plain ole nice guy that knows

-pretty much whutT hes a talking a-bout just went up by a-bout 1,000%

-ohhhhhh--& jes whone m0re thang LiLL Bro.--duzz yuse want "fries" widd thetT??