Is the Bible hard to understand?
The Bible readily admits it contains "some things hard to understand" (2 Peter 3:16), but the same verse goes on to say "untaught and unstable people twist (these things) to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures." Jesus said that God's Word is truth, and He also said, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 17:17; 8:32). The apostle Paul told his young preacher friend Timothy, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Regardless of our impression of the Bible, God expects us to know the truth, and not only know it but rightly divide it. In order to do so, we have to study. Failure to study and understand will someday leave us ashamed and unapproved by God.
First Corinthians 2:7-16 is a passage some people misuse to insist the Bible is difficult to understand. There, the apostle Paul refers to the wisdom of God contained in the gospel as a "mystery" and as "hidden " (verse 7). He also says, in verse 9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Some people point to these words as proof we can know little, if anything, about God. But don't stop reading too soon. Paul goes on to insist that, "God has revealed them to us through His Spirit" (verse 10), and that the inspired men who gave us the gospel did so "not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches" (verse 13). The reason why is clearly stated in verse 12b: "that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." To say the Bible is a mystery is a far thing from saying it is mysterious. To say it is not understood is very, very different from saying it cannot be understood.
Paul wrote striking words about God's mystery in Ephesians 3:3-5: "by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets." The mystery of God contained in the gospel was and is unknown to many. But God's word and will is not unknowable! Through diligent reading and careful and constant study, we will "understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17b).
The day before final exams, a young man said to his professor, "I'll do anything to pass this course." The professor responded, "Anything? Then try studying." Think the Bible is hard to understand? Try studying!
Ephesians 2 8 - News
Paul wrote striking words about God's mystery in Ephesians 3:3-5: "by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages
Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Theresa Susie Shorty, "Abaq and Agaallaq," was born in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sept. 23, 1969. Her parents are Fedusia and the late Andrew Shorty
Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-4. A service of spiritual renewal and fellowship with Lay Speaker Rob Heptinstall, 2 pm Sunday at Water's Edge Community Center, 4852 Walnut Road, Buckeye Lake; Helping Hands free clothing store, noon to 3 pm Mondays;
Ephesians 2:8, 9 busts that myth. In reality, it's actually reversed… Get to God, then you'll get your act together! "God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward
So, with a little more understanding of the word grace could we read Ephesians 2:8, in this manner? For by God's divine influence upon our heart, and it's reflection in our lives we are saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of
Ephesians 2:8, Comedy and Baptism | Forthright: Hands-on Faith
I love every article but I do have a problem with some of the translations that are used. While some verses in questionable translation probably "clarify" some verses to more modern day language, how do I know that what sounds good in those verses in particular (those in the article above) and then explain why we can't use it with others (e.g., Psalm 51). Were we born sinners? Of course not, but that is what is taught in the NET, NIV, CEV, et al. Maybe I just need to learn Greek. ;)
Believe me when I say that I'm not saying this through hateful fingers. Just a concern.
God Bless.
Thanks for the feedback. My experience continues to verify the words of a professor long ago who said that all translations have their strengths and weaknesses.
What strategies can help us separate the wheat from the chaff without falling victim to the danger of identifying as wheat what we already happen to accept?
Here's a few initial ideas:
Study from a variety of good translations. And then when they might differ seek to discover why.
Read the preface of a Bible to discover the translation philosophy, their targeted audience, motivation for creating the translation, etc.
Translations made by members from diverse Christian traditions tend to have a checks and balances dynamic keeping the translators more honest.
Become familiar with what theological perspective a publishing house is likely to promote.
Oh and of course, learning the original languages is a tremendous help.
RT : Saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 
RT : Saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 
RT : Saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 
RT : Saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 
Saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2 8 - Bookshelf
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Ephesians 2:8-9. New International Version (NIV) 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is ...
Ephesians 2:8-10
Ephesians 2 (Blue Letter Bible: KJV - King James Version)
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