“That’s Just Your Interpretation!”
Introduction. We generally hear these words while discussing Scripture, but only when one or both don’t believe Scripture is absolute truth. When looking at “2 + 2 = 4”, there is no interpretation, only a right or wrong answer. Absolutes have no room for opinion or interpretation. Yet the premise of the title is that Scripture is not absolute. If there can be more than one way to interpret Scripture, and everyone is entitled to their opinion and interpretation, we don’t have much respect for it.
Of Noble Birth. The Holy Spirit revealed that the way those in Berea responded to Paul’s “interpretation,” was “noble" (wellborn; of noble race, high rank). Their nobility was because “they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). They knew it could only be right or wrong. They knew each Scripture only taught a single truth. Since they wanted to know that truth, they first received the new information with a ready mind. Then they searched the Scriptures daily to see if they were right or wrong. Every time our convictions are challenged, we can reject it as “just your interpretation" or respond “more nobly” by “examining the Scriptures daily” to find out if it is truth or error. No one is entitled to their own interpretation.
The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to reveal that some of Paul’s writings were “hard to understand.” Yet no room was left for different interpretations. We either nobly “search the Scriptures daily,” or become “the ignorant and unstable” who “twist to their own destruction as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2Pet. 3:15-16).
Are we more interested in Truth or being Right? When faced with the possibility of being wrong, are we more interested in truth or in being right in our own eyes? Perhaps the better question is, do we want to be right with God, or right in our own eyes? The closest Scripture to “just your own interpretation” is “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6; 21:25). It is a great evil to lead others to believe that the Bible is unclear or ambiguous enough to allow different interpretations.
Attitudes toward Scripture. When we view Scripture as Holy, and hold it in awe and reverence, there is no such thing as interpretation. Only truth and error, right or wrong. Scripture is a precise measuring tool. It is not to be interpreted, but accepted, believed and trusted. If we believe them, there is no other conclusion:
“All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2Tim. 3:16). Every doctrine/reproof in Scripture is not interpretation, but absolute truth! If our “interpretation” differs, we need to repent and admit we are wrong.
“The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times” (Ps 12:6). There are no impurities, no human wisdom or folly and nothing to be interpreted. Their refined purity is so far superior to human wisdom, there is no comparison.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, ... and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Unlike the dead words and thoughts of men, God’s word is as alive as the Spirit who gave it. Thus the age of Scripture has no bearing on truth.
“The word which by the gospel was preached to you,” “endures forever,” because “the word of God lives and abides forever” (1Pet. 1:23-25). Only that word can be allowed to judge our thoughts and intentions and “bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Cor. 10:3).
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Pr. 30:5-6). This passage manifests the evil of “interpretation.” Because God’s word is pure, adding our own ideas or interpretations, is “adding to His words,” becoming the doctrines of men Jesus condemned as tradition (Mk 7:5-13). As Peter noted above, when we “twist the Scriptures", it can only lead to our “own destruction,” since we will be “found a liar,” and thus condemned.
Peter unmasked the folly of the title of this article when he wrote: “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Pet. 1:20-21). There can't be “just your own interpretation” because no “Scripture is of any private interpretation.” How can it be when it “never came from the will of man?” None of the prophets or apostles wrote a single word by their own will. Scripture is not of men, so men cannot privately interpret it to their own liking. Words from the Holy Spirit are inspired. As divinely written, we accept it as an absolute standard.
Absolute Standards. All measuring devices are based on an absolute standard. Once an inch, cup or pound is set, there is no interpretation. A tape measure, scale or measuring cup is never interpreted! When it comes to absolute standards, they can’t be interpreted or they are not absolute. They can be accepted or rejected. We can be right or wrong, honest or dishonest. But I can’t have my inch and you have your's without being dishonest. If honesty in such material things is demanded, how much more judgments based on Scripture, the most accurate measuring device of all!
Conclusion. God demanded an absolute standard in “judgment and measures of length, weight or quantity.” With a just and equitable balance and the just weights we place upon it, with a just ephah for grain and a just hin for olive oil, we can be righteous and just in commerce. Yet more importantly with a just judgment in our use of “My statutes and all My rules,” we can do them! None of these things can be “just my interpretation.”
Of Noble Birth. The Holy Spirit revealed that the way those in Berea responded to Paul’s “interpretation,” was “noble" (wellborn; of noble race, high rank). Their nobility was because “they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). They knew it could only be right or wrong. They knew each Scripture only taught a single truth. Since they wanted to know that truth, they first received the new information with a ready mind. Then they searched the Scriptures daily to see if they were right or wrong. Every time our convictions are challenged, we can reject it as “just your interpretation" or respond “more nobly” by “examining the Scriptures daily” to find out if it is truth or error. No one is entitled to their own interpretation.
The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to reveal that some of Paul’s writings were “hard to understand.” Yet no room was left for different interpretations. We either nobly “search the Scriptures daily,” or become “the ignorant and unstable” who “twist to their own destruction as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2Pet. 3:15-16).
Are we more interested in Truth or being Right? When faced with the possibility of being wrong, are we more interested in truth or in being right in our own eyes? Perhaps the better question is, do we want to be right with God, or right in our own eyes? The closest Scripture to “just your own interpretation” is “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6; 21:25). It is a great evil to lead others to believe that the Bible is unclear or ambiguous enough to allow different interpretations.
Attitudes toward Scripture. When we view Scripture as Holy, and hold it in awe and reverence, there is no such thing as interpretation. Only truth and error, right or wrong. Scripture is a precise measuring tool. It is not to be interpreted, but accepted, believed and trusted. If we believe them, there is no other conclusion:
“All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2Tim. 3:16). Every doctrine/reproof in Scripture is not interpretation, but absolute truth! If our “interpretation” differs, we need to repent and admit we are wrong.
“The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times” (Ps 12:6). There are no impurities, no human wisdom or folly and nothing to be interpreted. Their refined purity is so far superior to human wisdom, there is no comparison.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, ... and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Unlike the dead words and thoughts of men, God’s word is as alive as the Spirit who gave it. Thus the age of Scripture has no bearing on truth.
“The word which by the gospel was preached to you,” “endures forever,” because “the word of God lives and abides forever” (1Pet. 1:23-25). Only that word can be allowed to judge our thoughts and intentions and “bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Cor. 10:3).
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Pr. 30:5-6). This passage manifests the evil of “interpretation.” Because God’s word is pure, adding our own ideas or interpretations, is “adding to His words,” becoming the doctrines of men Jesus condemned as tradition (Mk 7:5-13). As Peter noted above, when we “twist the Scriptures", it can only lead to our “own destruction,” since we will be “found a liar,” and thus condemned.
Peter unmasked the folly of the title of this article when he wrote: “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Pet. 1:20-21). There can't be “just your own interpretation” because no “Scripture is of any private interpretation.” How can it be when it “never came from the will of man?” None of the prophets or apostles wrote a single word by their own will. Scripture is not of men, so men cannot privately interpret it to their own liking. Words from the Holy Spirit are inspired. As divinely written, we accept it as an absolute standard.
Absolute Standards. All measuring devices are based on an absolute standard. Once an inch, cup or pound is set, there is no interpretation. A tape measure, scale or measuring cup is never interpreted! When it comes to absolute standards, they can’t be interpreted or they are not absolute. They can be accepted or rejected. We can be right or wrong, honest or dishonest. But I can’t have my inch and you have your's without being dishonest. If honesty in such material things is demanded, how much more judgments based on Scripture, the most accurate measuring device of all!
Conclusion. God demanded an absolute standard in “judgment and measures of length, weight or quantity.” With a just and equitable balance and the just weights we place upon it, with a just ephah for grain and a just hin for olive oil, we can be righteous and just in commerce. Yet more importantly with a just judgment in our use of “My statutes and all My rules,” we can do them! None of these things can be “just my interpretation.”
- You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. And you shall observe all My statutes and all My rules, and do them: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:35-37).