The Bible its own Interpreter.
By Francis Gould
“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.” 1 Pet. 2:20, 21. The Bible contemplates and sets forth a system of revealed religion which is consistent in itself and harmonizes in all its parts, is adapted to the wants of fallen humanity in its various conditions, stimulates and provokes to love and good works when we cheerfully yield ourselves to obey and to be led by its teachings. The Apostle Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. There is a class of individuals at the present day (and that class is fast multiplying) who tell us that the Bible is a book of contradictions, is inconsistent, and that you can prove from it almost any doctrine you please, and besides there are so many different opinions in the world, and every sect professes to build its faith upon the Bible, that they are at a loss to determine which way is right, and what to believe, and so have come to the conclusion that the Bible is not what it purports to be, and consequently they discard the whole thing. One great reason we think why they have come to such decisions, is because they do not take God’s rule of interpretation. There is a large class of professed Christians who instead of bringing themselves up to the rule of interpretation, comparing scripture with scripture and taking it in its most literal, easy, and common-sense meaning, are inclined to bring the Bible down to their own standard and have it in some way correspond with their own peculiar views and notions. “Holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” They spoke from different standpoints according to the society, influence, and change which takes place in different ages of the world. Yet their combined testimony was one in relation to the great hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ; and the only way to arrive at safe and right conclusions in relation to any point of Bible truth, is to bring together all the inspired testimony which has a bearing upon that point. Thus all seeming contradictions will vanish. Says the Saviour, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. Again Paul gives us the assurance, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4. There are many who do not believe that the Holy Scriptures are of any consequence or importance, while others esteem them but lightly; and still there are many among the professed people of God who are not willing to let the truths of the Bible have their plain and common-sense meaning, who set themselves up as interpreters and bring the Bible to them. Paul, in speaking of some who measure themselves by some other rule than that which God has given, makes the following declaration: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Cor. 10:21. We think the apostle’s meaning can be clearly set forth by an illustration: Suppose, in measuring off a number of yards of cloth, you lay it down upon your rule, or yardstick, and measure off the first yard and cut it off. That, of course, is exact; but suppose you measure the second yard by the first one cut off, and the third by the second, and so on. The result would be that the strips cut off would differ in length. Some would be too short and some too long; whereas, if each strip had been measured by the rule, they would all have been right. It is so with us. We are not to measure ourselves by others, or compare ourselves with others. We are not to take men’s interpretation of Scripture, or their opinions as a rule of faith, practice, and moral conduct. We are not to follow our brethren any further than they follow Christ. “My sheep hear my voice,” says Christ, “and I know them and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27, 28. Let us come individually and for ourselves to the perfect rule which God has given, and square ourselves thereby. Says the apostle, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Gal. 6:16. The combined light and strength which we receive from the various portions of the word of God, is what we need at the present time, to fortify us against the wiles of the enemy. Says the prophet, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20. Commentators do not agree in their mode of interpretation; hence the confusion that exists among those who are taught in these different channels, and they are hard to be reached by the truth of God’s word on the account of educational prejudice, which grows with their growth, and strengthens with their strength. “’Tis education forms the common mind; Just as the twig is bent the tree’s inclined.” In the days of our Saviour, the common people received the word of God gladly, while the most learned, as a general thing, were not affected by it. It is so now. In every age we find those who have been devoted to God’s word and to his service. The Revelator speaks of a class who fell as martyrs under the persecuting power of the little horn, as being “slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” The days in which we live are days of peril. Wickedness and crime abound. False teachers multiply. The word of God is discarded by the many; but by the few it will triumph. May we fully realize that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4.