Most Misunderstood Bible Verses?

[TheDancingBaptist]

What are some of the Bible verses that you believe are most commonly misunderstood?

I know that Phil 4:13, Jer 29:11, and Matt 7:1 are often misapplied and misinterpreted, but what are some other common ones?

 

[thecolorsblend]

"Judge not lest ye be judged"... partially because I've never found an English translation of sacred scripture which uses that exact wording and partially because it's used as license to excuse (or endorse) completely unacceptable behavior.

 

[R. Hartono]

Matt 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

People tend to think that Jesus will return after the tribulation but verse 30 shows that the tribes of the earth mourn because Jesus only appear to take the believers and leave the world behind instead of landing on the ground to rule the world.

 

[Paul of Eugene OR]

What are some of the Bible verses that you believe are most commonly misunderstood?

I know that Phil 4:13, Jer 29:11, and Matt 7:1 are often misapplied and misinterpreted, but what are some other common ones?

We often see someone posting here concerned they might have committed the unforgiveable sin, and they fail to realize they wouldn't be worried about it if they actually had . . .

Matt 12:31
31 "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
NASU

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

Faith without works is dead..............the granddaddy of them all

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Most think Paul was talking about his present struggle with sin as a Christian in Romans 7:14-24. However, that is not what he is talking about.

The context is the Old Law within Romans 7. Paul is not under the Old Law as a Christian.
Paul is recounting his past experience as a Pharisee in struggling to keep a distorted version of the Old Law when he was Saul before he became a Christian. Before Paul became a Christian, he followed the false Pharisee religion that Jesus condemned. Jesus said the Pharisees ignored the weightier matters of the Law like faith, love, justice, and mercy (See Matthew 23:23, and Luke 11:42). We see in Romans 7:5 talk about how the motions of sin, which were by the law worked in our members to bring fruit unto death. This is in reference to the Old Law because verse 6 says we are to SERVE in NEWNESS of SPIRIT and NOT in the OLDNESS of the Letter.

4 "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."

The Oldness of the Letter is the Old Law and not the New Law.

Still not enough?

In Romans 8:3-4 says,

3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:3-4).

It says what the Law could not do in that it was WEAK THROUGH the FLESH (To see an example of the weakness of the flesh, see Romans 7:14-24). Okay, getting back to the verse, in that the law was weak through the flesh, God the Father sent the Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and He condemned sin within his body. For what reason? So that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who WALK not after the flesh (sin) but after the Spirit.

 

[Ron Gurley]

Mark 16:9 ....Later Manuscripts (mss) ADD verses Mark 16: 9-20...the oldest MSS ONLY should be considered part of canonized Scripture of Mark, the oldest of the Gospels....
end the chapter at Mark 16:8. !!

9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.

INCONSISTENT with all other Gospel accounts
see: Luke 8:2
Some believed. John and Peter verified! Followed by MANY appearances.

12 After that, He appeared in a "different form" to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

INCONSISTENT with all other Gospel accounts
SEE: 1 Corinthians 15; Luke 24:13 et seq

The Disciples/Apostles Commissioned

14 Afterward He appeared to the "eleven" themselves as they were "reclining at the table" (???);
and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart,
because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. (before/at ascension ALL believed!)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all "creation".

COMPARE:

1. Matthew 28 end...the Great commission

2. Matthew 24...Jesus' prophecy of the "end times
14 This "gospel of the kingdom" shall be preached in the whole world (kosmos)
as a testimony to all the NATIONS, and then the end (of Great Tribulation) will come...

16 He who has believed AND has been "baptized" "shall be" saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

WRONG! ritual water baptism is NOT required for salvation! SEE: John 3 explained in Ephesians 2.

17 These SIGNS (ALL?) will accompany (ALL?) those who have BELIEVEDunto salvation)
1. in My name they will cast out demons,
2. they will speak with new tongues (glossae); 18
3. they will pick up serpents, and
4. if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them;
5. they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

WRONG! only the appointed (11-12) apostolic missionaries had miraculous authenticating powers!

19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them,
He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

COMPARE: Acts 1:1-11...the Ascension

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, >>while the Lord worked with them<< (in SPIRIT ONLY?),
and confirmed the (Jesus'?) "word" by the SIGNS that followed.]

COMPARE:.
Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

 

[Ron Gurley]

Faith without works is dead...?

Nope!
Faith/Belief and spirit-led Works go hand-in-hand!

James 2:22!

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

Faith without works is dead...?

Nope!
Faith/Belief and spirit-led Works go hand-in-hand!

James 2:22!

Works will follow true faith as sure as night follows day.....the problem with this passage is when legalists use it to prove we are saved by works.Faith in Christ’s Shed Blood is the only thing that saves.Works follow but they do not save.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Faith without works is dead...?

Nope!
Faith/Belief and spirit-led Works go hand-in-hand!

James 2:22!

Right, I believe that, too. But the word "s" would be a capitalized in my book (i.e. Spirit-led). Also, I am not sure you agree that we are saved by both the work of Christ (GOD), and the work of the Lord flowing through us (Sanctification). For you believe it is impossible to fall away from the faith which means that either (a) You believe a saint no longer has free will to sin anymore or (b) You believe a saint is saved even while he is breaking God's laws on occasion.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 says God has chosen unto salvation through Sanctification of the Holy Spirit and belief of the truth. Somehow this verse just doesn't mean what it plainly says when you read it.

Now, do not misunderstand me, I do not believe we are saved by "Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism" like the false Pharisee religion that Jesus condemned (See Matthew 23:23, and Luke 11:42). Paul also condemned this religion when it manifested itself as "Circumcision Salvationism" (See Romans 3:1, and Galatians 5:2). I believe "faith/belief" goes hand in hand with Spirit-led works. But in the Eternal Security belief or a Sin and Still Be Saved type belief, this is not always the case and one is saved even despite breaking God's laws on occasion. This is bad because one can think they can always break God's laws and be saved if they think they are saved even while being in sin on occasion.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Works will follow true faith as sure as night follows day.....the problem with this passage is when legalists use it to prove we are saved by works.Faith in Christ’s Shed Blood is the only thing that saves.Works follow but they do not save.

Misunderstood Verses by Eternal Security or OSAS proponents.

"...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).​

Problem: Somehow salvation through sanctification of the Holy Spirit does not really mean that according to the OSAS camp.

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12).​

Problem: The verse says the Philippians have always obeyed even not in Paul's presence and yet the Eternal Security proponent will say that it is impossible to obey.

Problem: work out your salvation with fear and trembling does not really mean that according to OSAS proponents. Fear does not mean fear even though the word "tremble" is in there.

"....but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).​

Problem: According to OSAS proponents, Jesus did not really mean that we can enter into life by keeping the commandments (even though He said those very words).

Also, the Eternal Security proponent wants the end result of works, and yet they will turn around and contradict themselves and say that end result is not necessary because they believe one can break God's laws on some level and be saved. That would be like saying, the walls of a house always follows a true foundation of a house, but yet, the house is saved through a storm even if the walls of the house are gone. Jesus says, he that does not DO what He says is likened unto a fool who built his house upon the sand and when a storm came, great was the fall of that house (Matthew 7:26-27).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Faith without works is dead..............the granddaddy of them all

What is the purpose of doing good works before men?

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

The faith of a soldier of God comes from him/her speaking God's Word. The Word of God is planted and watered by God's people and it is God who gives the increase. A man's faith is towards God and not men. Any or all good work is the Lord working in us and it is a way to shine the light unto other men. We are justified by God directed works in our life before God and not men because we are told to do works in secret before God the Father, as well. Jesus also says that if you will enter into life, keep the commandments. James 2:17 says faith without works is dead. This is talking about faith in general here. James 1:21-22 says, "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

James also relates how Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac upon the altar (See James 2:20). Okay. Stop and think about this for a second. Who else was around to see what Abraham doing? It was just him and his son (who was also a believer). The whole point of Genesis 22 is that God confirms the promise and says Abraham knows he really does fear Him. God did not talk about how Isaac or some other guy who was hidden in the rocks came to the faith or something. There is no such thing as being justified by works before men. We are only justified by works before God because faith is ultimately towards God and not men. Think.

 

[Johnsloan]

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 King James Version (KJV)
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

These verses are all to often misunderstood. Most Christains think paul was sick. He was not sick.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[Ron Gurley]

"a thorn in the flesh"...Paul had one. What was it?
My guess: as a result of some blow to the head, he had:

Epileptic seizure - Wikipedia

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

My guess is that it was his eyes....going back to the days were he was blinded on the road to Damascus. Some of his followers offered to trade eyes with him if they could.I think it was a disfigurement of some kind.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Mark 16:9 ....Later Manuscripts (mss) ADD verses Mark 16: 9-20...the oldest MSS ONLY should be considered part of canonized Scripture of Mark, the oldest of the Gospels....
end the chapter at Mark 16:8. !!9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.

Jesus said beware of the scribes!
The scribes are those who tran-SCRIBE the Law or the Scriptures.
The scribe of our day is the scholar because they are the ones who transcribe the Scriptures for our day.
Jesus said beware of them.

I mean stop and think for a moment, my friend. You would end a gospel on the note of men being in fear of the resurrection?
Yeah, that doesn't make a lot of sense.
There are two vines or sets of manuscripts that people place their trust in.

Vine #1. The Critical Text (i.e. which is where all the Modern Translations come from).
Vine #2. Textus Receptus (i.e. which is where the KJV comes from).​

Oh, and just because something is older, does not mean it is better.
The real test is to do a fruit's test (i.e. to look at observational evidence and not historical evidence).

Looking at the Modern Translations by way of the KJV is clear that the Modern Translations are corrupt big time. We see an elimination of the one key verse that teaches the Trinity (1 John 5:7), a removal of the complete definition of not being under the "Condemnation" mentioned in Romans 8:1, the devil's name placed in God's Word where it should not be. The list goes on and non concerning the corruption in Modern Translations. It's as if we do not have a perfect Word of God today and they keep trying to come out with yet another Bible that captures what God is trying to say (as if His word does not exist for us today). Granted, I use Modern Translations because they are helpful in updating the 1600's English, but they are not my final word of authority.

Anyways, getting back to Mark 16: Well, some folks try to write off verse 9 because it says Jesus was risen the first day of the week (Sunday), when in reality He had risen on a Saturday Sabbath. But Mark 16:9 is merely talking about the current present state or status of Christ and it is not talking about the timing of his actual resurrection. For when Mary had reached the tomb, the angel told her that Jesus was already risen and was not there.

INCONSISTENT with all other Gospel accounts
see: Luke 8:2
Some believed. John and Peter verified! Followed by MANY appearances.

12 After that, He appeared in a "different form" to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

Okay. First, Luke 8 does not even deal with the resurrection yet. Second, Luke 24 says,

"And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"" (Luke 24:41) (NIV).

"And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?" (Luke 24:41) (KJV).

So it is not saying a different thing than Mark 16:9.
There is a gap of time between the Luke 24:35 and Luke 24:36 whereby the 11 disciples could have easily not believed. In fact, their disbelief is recorded in Luke 24:41, so there is no contradiction.

INCONSISTENT with all other Gospel accounts
SEE: 1 Corinthians 15; Luke 24:13 et seq

The Disciples/Apostles Commissioned

14 Afterward He appeared to the "eleven" themselves as they were "reclining at the table" (???);
and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.

The KJV (Which is the trusty Word of God) says,

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." (Mark 16:14).

There is no mention of any reclining in the KJV.
You are looking at the corrupt vine of manuscripts (i.e. the Critical Text).

(before/at ascension ALL believed!)

Yes, but not right away. Again, they were even in disbelief when they seen him (See Luke 24:41).

COMPARE:

1. Matthew 28 end...the Great commission

2. Matthew 24...Jesus' prophecy of the "end times
14 This "gospel of the kingdom" shall be preached in the whole world (kosmos)
as a testimony to all the NATIONS, and then the end (of Great Tribulation) will come...

16 He who has believed AND has been "baptized" "shall be" saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

WRONG! ritual water baptism is NOT required for salvation! SEE: John 3 explained in Ephesians 2.

Yes, it is true that water baptism does not save. Peter makes it clear in 1 Peter 3:21 that baptism does not save us from the filthiness of the flesh (i.e. sin cf. 2 Corinthians 7:1), but baptism saves us as an answer to having a clear conscience before God (In the fact that we asked for His forgiveness and believe that He has forgiven us). Paul even says that he came not to baptize but to preach the gospel. So clearly water baptism is not for salvation. Then what is Mark 16:16 talking about? Is it saying that he that believes and is water baptized will be saved? No. First, the word "water" is not mentioned in relation to baptism in Mark 16. Second, John the Baptist says,

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" (Matthew 3:11).

In other words, Mark 16:16 is talking about baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Also, even if you wanted Mark 16:16 to be about water baptism, the verse does not say that he that is not baptized shall be damned. Baptism was something that they did in the early church when you first accepted Christ. Today, it is not so common to do this.
Also, it does not say, he that is baptized shall be saved with it leaving out the word "believe." Baptism is merely a thing they did on top of believing in Christ for salvation.

17 These SIGNS (ALL?) will accompany (ALL?) those who have BELIEVEDunto salvation)
1. in My name they will cast out demons,
2. they will speak with new tongues (glossae); 18
3. they will pick up serpents, and
4. if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them;
5. they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

WRONG! only the appointed (11-12) apostolic missionaries had miraculous authenticating powers!

Again, there is no contradiction. While I believe that tongues and prophecy have ceased, and not God's other miracles, there is no contradiction in Mark 16:17-18 saying,

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:17-18).​

We can still read this passage as talking to the early apostles. The passage does not say that ALL who believe and nor does it say "all future generation of believers" etc. So there is no problem here.

19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them,
He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

COMPARE: Acts 1:1-11...the Ascension

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, >>while the Lord worked with them<< (in SPIRIT ONLY?),
and confirmed the (Jesus'?) "word" by the SIGNS that followed.]

COMPARE:.
Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Mark 16:19-2 says,
19 "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."

This to me is being overly nit-picky. In verse 19: Jesus physically sat down at the right hand of God after He was received up into heaven. Verse 20 is saying that Jesus was with them in his spirit form working with them to confirm the Word of God by signs. Nowhere does verse 20 say that the Lord was physically with them in His flesh.

 

[Dave-W]

1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Everyone seems to read that as to avoid anything that may look to someone else like it is a sin. (even if it actually is NOT) Our Lord violated that concept all the time. But He avoided every form evil appeared as.

Matthew 5:28 NASB
but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

In the context, our Lord was discussing the true meaning behind the 10 commandments, and the word "lust" epithumeo, was used in the LXX as translating "covet." That means to desire to take away something that belongs to someone else (hence the use of "adultery" instead of "fornication") It is wanting and planning to take away someone's wife and making her YOUR wife.

It is NOT just having a random sexual thought or fantasy, finding any woman as "sexy," or even becoming aroused for no reason.