May we all desire to be in the position of these saints...to whom it is written:
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1Thes.2:13)
God's "word of truth" is for those "that believe". His "word" as a whole; and the "words" of which that inspired revelation is made up of.
(Jer.15:16)
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them: and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God [Jehovah Elohim] of hosts."
It is for those...who receive, believe, read/hear, and desire to feed upon the "words" of God; that the "word" of God may become a "joy" and the "rejoicing" of the heart.
...this joy will be tempered by trouble without...
and those who feed upon and rejoice in God's Word will soon realize their isolated position; but, in spite of the "reproach" and "hatred" of the world, there will always be the "joy" and "rejoicing" of the heart.
All that we have learned from our youth up must be tested and proved by the Word of God. Where we find it is true, we must learn it over again, from God. And where it will not stand the test of His Word, we must be thankful to give it up; and receive Divine revelation in the place of man's imagination.
God alone is able, through His Spirit, to open our understanding and to make us behold the glorious things in His Word. It is easier for man to understand many other things, than it is for him to understand spiritual things. He or she, who would learn the truth of God must be taught by God alone.
(1Cor.2:9-14)
But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
We will never grow in grace unless we grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is of the utmost importance that we should clearly and constantly distinguish between interpretation and application. The interpretation of verses (portions) is one thing, but the application of verses (portions) is quite a different thing.
The interpretation of a passage belongs to the occasion when, and the persons to whom, or of whom, the words were originally intended. When this has been settled, then it is open to us to make an application of those words to ourselves or others, so far as we can do so without causing conflict with any other passages.
Interpretation and application is important in connection with dispensational truth and teaching; but this principle extends far beyond this, and affects all of the study of "the word of truth". It is this that makes the precept of "rightly dividing the word of truth" so significant and so absolutely necessary.
It may be, when the application is made in full accord with Scripture teaching given somewhere else, that it is not only true, but may have a more deeper and more real meaning than the interpretation itself; and may carry truths and lessons far beyond it.
All the blessings and all the truths can be obtained by wise application, without in the smallest extent lessening the true interpretation.
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1Thes.2:13)
God's "word of truth" is for those "that believe". His "word" as a whole; and the "words" of which that inspired revelation is made up of.
(Jer.15:16)
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them: and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God [Jehovah Elohim] of hosts."
It is for those...who receive, believe, read/hear, and desire to feed upon the "words" of God; that the "word" of God may become a "joy" and the "rejoicing" of the heart.
...this joy will be tempered by trouble without...
and those who feed upon and rejoice in God's Word will soon realize their isolated position; but, in spite of the "reproach" and "hatred" of the world, there will always be the "joy" and "rejoicing" of the heart.
All that we have learned from our youth up must be tested and proved by the Word of God. Where we find it is true, we must learn it over again, from God. And where it will not stand the test of His Word, we must be thankful to give it up; and receive Divine revelation in the place of man's imagination.
God alone is able, through His Spirit, to open our understanding and to make us behold the glorious things in His Word. It is easier for man to understand many other things, than it is for him to understand spiritual things. He or she, who would learn the truth of God must be taught by God alone.
(1Cor.2:9-14)
But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
We will never grow in grace unless we grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is of the utmost importance that we should clearly and constantly distinguish between interpretation and application. The interpretation of verses (portions) is one thing, but the application of verses (portions) is quite a different thing.
The interpretation of a passage belongs to the occasion when, and the persons to whom, or of whom, the words were originally intended. When this has been settled, then it is open to us to make an application of those words to ourselves or others, so far as we can do so without causing conflict with any other passages.
Interpretation and application is important in connection with dispensational truth and teaching; but this principle extends far beyond this, and affects all of the study of "the word of truth". It is this that makes the precept of "rightly dividing the word of truth" so significant and so absolutely necessary.
It may be, when the application is made in full accord with Scripture teaching given somewhere else, that it is not only true, but may have a more deeper and more real meaning than the interpretation itself; and may carry truths and lessons far beyond it.
All the blessings and all the truths can be obtained by wise application, without in the smallest extent lessening the true interpretation.
