Topic: To Avoid Error – Have The Right Interpretation Of
The Scripture (12)
Continued from last episode
Preamble: There is obvious gross interpretation of the
Scripture as a result of the way and manner the Scripture has been studied and
read. The inappropriate studying and reading of the Scripture has led to wrong
interpretation of the Scripture and that has resulted into wrong application of
what the Scripture says.
Anchor Text:
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?”
Acts 8:30
Text of Interest:
“But ye have not so learned Christ;”
Ephesians 4:20
Furthermore, while studying the Scripture it will
interest someone to know that some verses were intercalated in some of the
books of the Scripture. Though I cannot say for sure the reason for the
interpolation of these verses but I believe it was done to augment for the
message as regards to its content. So while translating these books of the
bible, the translators and some authorities used their prerogatives to add
these verses in order to create a better understanding of the message in that
particular chapter. And these verses since they are not in the original
manuscripts some are placed in italics and some are not. Let’s see one of the
examples of these verses and I quote:
“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God.”
Acts 8:37
I believe that the people who intercalated this verse
above in between verse 36 and 38 thought it is wise because one has to believe
before water baptism should take place. Well, the reality here is that Philip
never said those words and if one decides to leap over and read verse 38 he or
she can still make sense out of the discussion between the two of them.
However, come to think of it, in verse 36 the man willingly declared his
readiness to be baptized which is an indication of his believe in what Philip
has said to him. And verse 38 the baptism takes place and he went his way
rejoicing. These verses are supposed to be unveiled because it helps to clear
some doubts one may have if he or she lays hand on the original manuscript and
finds out they are not there.
Yet another thing to take into account while studying the
Scripture is that the Scripture is written in human developed languages as I
said earlier. And in the construction or development of the languages there are
language structures that make-up the languages and as a result standardizes its
formation. These structures are figures of speech and if one is writing in a
particular language sometime is very expedient one writes with figures of
speech in order to drive home his points in factual and riveting manner. So we
find some writers of the books in the Scriptures using some metaphors and other
language expressions in their writings. Since those figures of speech are used
in the expression, it is important to understand that expressions in metaphors
for instance is not what they appear on the surface and hence the need for
interpretation of the lines for proper digestion.
Also worthy to note is that many of the prophecies and
teachings in the Scripture were conducted or rendered in parables, idiomatic
and metaphoric expressions and the writers put it straight the way it was
expressed. This is particular of the teachings of our Lord Jesus, they were
mainly in parables and if they are in parable it means that there is a need to
unlock their meanings to a lay man’s understanding and only by that one can
grasp the meaning. One of such example can be found in the book of Matthew
chapter 13, popularly known as the parable of the sower.
And remember, one
cannot ascertain the truth in error!
To be continued…..
Till I come your way again, keep on basking in the Arena
of Indubitable Truth!
Chukwuemeka
C. Asiegbu
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