Principles of Biblical Interpretation

Principles of Biblical Interpretation—No. I

Studies on the fundamentals of the message.

By M.C. Wilcox

"Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15, A. R. V. The marginal reading of the last clause of this text is, "holding a straight course in the word of truth, or rightly dividing the word of truth."

" It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider funda­mental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ argu­ments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth."—"Gospel Workers," p. 299.

Such statements should lead God's ministers to study the great funda­mentals of the word, and to adopt such principles of study and interpretation as will lead to the great living unity of the word of God.

Principles are greater than facts, but they are not always so obvious. Generally these principles are not ex­pressed. To the devout, prayerful stu­dent of the word, principles grow out of the facts and fundamentals of truth. They develop through comparing scrip­ture with scripture. They are often­times self-evident propositions, as ap­plied to the divine standards of truth.

Principles are to the student of Holy Scriptures what the " blue print " is to the builder. There are many pieces required in the construction of a great building,— pieces which are very much alike, and yet different; and sometimes it is a puzzling task to place each in its proper position in the structure. For instance, one timber in a building may be 20 ft. 2 in., another 20 ft. 2% in., while in other respects the dimen­sions are the same. The difference is the mere matter of half an inch, but for accurate measurement in the fin­ished structure, this small difference becomes a vital matter. The builder might crowd, hammer, and spike the timbers in, out of their place, but the result would be a warped frame- and marred structure; and the reputation of the builder would be seriously dam­aged by permitting such faulty work. Following the accurate measurements of the " blue print " would have saved the builder from making a fatal blun­der. Consider also the erection of the great printing presses which, for con­venience and economy, are shipped and delivered " knocked down." In putting the press together, it will be found that one bolt differs from another just the fraction of an inch, but unless each bolt finds its designated place, the printing press will be defective. Every word of the construction guide must be followed to the letter.

In like manner, God's temple of truth is constructed by principles which fit together in perfect order, ac­cording to the specifications in the divine Guidebook. There are many facts of Scripture which do not place themselves. Left to mere human con­jecture, unguided by true principles of interpretation, men are liable to go astray in the placing of facts. Each fact is helpful in its own place; but, out of place, it becomes confusing, and its wrong application blinds the judg­ment and obscures the vision of the workman. (See 2 Tim. 2:18.)

All the great principles of Biblical interpretation cannot be considered, neither will it be possible even to enumerate the large number of prin­ciples in this connection. The task would be too great, and the limited space of The Ministry would be in­adequate. The principles which are set forth will perhaps be sufficient to convince of the importance of follow­ing the " blue print " in the study of great Bible questions.

Principle No. 1: The Inspiration and Unity of the Word

The Bible is composed of sixty-six books, yet it is one book. These sixty-six books were given, it is true, through twoscore channels, more or less, and each book is stamped, to a greater or less extent, with the in­dividual characteristics of its writer; nevertheless there is but one Author of all these books, and that Author is divine. This is true because the Holy Scriptures are inspired by the Spirit of God. By this is meant the originals as they came from the pens of the various writers in Hebrew, Chaldaic (Aramaic), and Greek. The many copies, the care in copying, and the early versions afford strong evidence of the substantial correctness of the Hebrew and Greek Testaments.

The testimony of the writers con­cerning the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures is definite and ample:

" The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me," said David, " and His word was upon my tongue." 2 Sam. 23: 2.

" Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teach­eth, but which the Spirit teacheth," states Paul. 1 Cor. 2:13.

Also, " Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit saith." Heb. 3:7.

Peter writes: " Which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas." Acts 1:16. And speaking of the ancient prophets, he wrote: " Searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ." 1 Peter 1:11.

The instruction which Timothy re­ceived from Paul was this: " Every scripture [the Sacred Writings which make wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15)] inspired of God is also profit­able for teaching, for reproof, for cor­rection, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17 (See also 2 Peter 1: 21; John 15: 25, 26; 16:13, 14; Matt. 28:18-20, et ca.)

These scriptures, and the many state­ments in the Old Testament, such as, " Thus saith Jehovah," and, " The word of the Lord came to," the various prophets specified by name, assure us in unmistakable terms that the Scriptures are inspired, or, literally, " God breathed."

The book of God is the result of God speaking through men. While we read that " holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," we also find that God sometimes spoke through evil men, as Balaam and Caiaphas. It is not the medium through which God speaks that counts, but rather the instruction imparted. The character of an individual is not de­termined by the worth of the garment worn, but by the virtue of the wearer. The sweet strains of music are not pro­duced by the instrument, but by the musician who uses the instrument. The great Master Musician has em­ployed various instruments through which to give to the world the har­monies of divine truth. The instru­ment may be a humble jewsharp, a trombone, a bagpipe, a harp, a piano, a horn, an organ; but whatever it be, the music is that of the Master Mu­sician expressed in the capacity of the instrument. To use another figure, the Master Architect has built the temple of divine revelation by using different workmen during sixteen centuries.

The Bible is the crowning Book of the Ages. It is one book, therefore a divine unity pervades it. It is con­sistent with itself. It is not a reflec­tion of the thought of various ages, but it is the light of truth during all ages and to the people living in all ages; it possesses wisdom and knowl­edge far surpassing the human, fitted to the needs of the age in which it was given, and meeting the needs of all subsequent ages until " that which is perfect is come." That divine unity binds the sixty-six books together with a bond stronger than vanadium steel. One God, one Spirit, one Word,— these are all-sufficient for the world's dire needs, and the equipment of the min­ister of God, " that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." With such equipment, let us maintain the vital principle of all true reform: " Truth for authority, not authority for truth." In other words, shall divine truth be made dominant? or shall we permit what men term " authority " to deter­mine what is truth?

Mountain View, Calif. 


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By M.C. Wilcox

January 1929

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