UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

“...even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood...”

(2 Pet. 3:15-16)

Peter had read all of Paul’s letters that were in circulation at that time. In spite of the latter’s open rebuke of the spokesman of the twelve in the past, he was still “...our beloved brother Paul.” My, my, what grace he displayed, and growth! Thus qualifying him to pen 2 Peter 3:18?

We see in Simon Peter a Spirit-filled servant and leader who was a  greatly used man of God. Yet this seasoned saint tells us he had a difficult time understanding some scriptures (in this case Paul’s). His was not an isolated case; greatly beloved Daniel had the same problem (Dan. 10).

Notice please, unlike some of us, not understanding some things didn’t keep Peter from reading the other things. The opening of the scripture is completely in the Lord’s hands, Lk. 24:32,45. Paul knew this truth. He prayed for the Colossians that they might have spiritual understanding, Col. 1:9.

It should be remembered that we must be ready to receive certain truths. Jesus told his disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now,”  John 16:12. A.W. Tozer said that he would struggle with certain scriptures a week, month, and longer, before they opened up.

The question is not what we do not understand, but what are we doing with that which we do comprehend? Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “It is not what I don’t understand in the Bible that bothers me, but what I do understand.” James tells us it is the doers of the Word who are blessed.

With a problem text, always take the principle it teaches until the Holy Spirit opens it up to you. For example, prophecy— we do not understand many of the texts making reference to this subject, but we do know they all teach He is coming again! That’s the principle. Doing this will take you a long way in your Christian life.