Do you understand what you are reading?

Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Just imagine what would have happened if the Ethiopian eunuch had answered Philip's question above by saying "no I don't understand, but I'll get to that later."

I recently talked with a dear Christian lady who beautifully illustrated the point I'm trying to make with this article. We were speaking on the phone about the bible and she said (and I'm paraphrasing to the best of my recollection of her words) "I just got through reading some great stuff in Romans and I couldn't tell you what most of it means but I know it's good." Now while this is somewhat humorous (yes, it's ok to laugh and still be a Christian), I'm afraid it reveals the common experience of many sincere born-again Christians. I remember early on in my conversion that I had a deep hunger to read the Word of God. I spent much of my time reading out loud and trying to memorize scripture. As a result, the Lord has really blessed me (I'm not bragging on myself-all glory to God) with an ability to recall scripture verses by memory. However, I later found that even though I could quote many verses verbatum-I probably couldn't tell you what a third of them actually meant. We get so accustomed to speaking "Christianese" that we can go years without ever understanding something that we claim to have a firm handle on.

How many times do we read through a passage (particularly in the Old Testament or the Pauline epistles) and come across something we have no clue as to the meaning? Ok- now that you've answered that question let me ask you another one......do you stop and find out what the verse in question means.....or do you keep going on to the next verse, chapter, and book? If we would be honest, I'd be willing to bet that many of us have shared the experience of running across a tough passage and thinking to ourselves "I have no idea what I just read but I'm going to keep going and come back to it later." The only problem is that we rarely ever come back to the passage until we run across it again in our devotional schedule. And guess what? That passage is still in there......and we still don't have a clue as to what it means! And so the vicious cycle continues......

I know that some have adopted a somewhat cavalier attitude about the process of understanding scripture (and doctrine), but I think it would behove us to take things more seriously when it comes to understanding the bible. Paul told Timothy to take heed unto his life AND his doctrine- for in so doing, he would both save himself and those who heard him (paraphrase I Timothy 4:16). Jesus rebuked the religious factions of His day because they did "err, not knowing the scriptures, or the power of God" (Matt 22:29). It wasn't so much that they didn't know the verses in the Torah, but they didn't have a proper understanding of their meaning and application. Likewise, Jesus made a very important point in the parable of the sower/soils. Remember that Christ said if we don't understand the parable of the sower "how then will ye know all parables?" (Mark 4:13). There is something special about the parable of the sower- let's look at one aspect in particular:

Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side

So we see that "the wicked one" (the adversary Satan) comes immediately to those who hear (or perhaps we could substitute "read" for purposes of instruction) the words of God but don't understand them. He (the devil) does not want us to understand and apply the Word of God. He is content for us to hear sermons, perhaps read something but never understand it's true meaning or application (after all, it's not just head knowledge we're after-it's obedience to the will of God). Christ warned numerous times that it is not those who hear the Word of God, but those who "do" the will of God who will be accepted. So there is an inherent danger for those who read the Word of God but don't understand it. How can we apply or obey that which we don't understand? I realize that some would use that as a cop-out-however the bible says that we will all stand before Him without excuse (Romans 1:20)-so ignorance will not be a plea that is accepted.

Admittedly, there are some difficult passages of scripture. Even the bible (itself) declares that there are some passages more difficult than others. Take for example this verse of scripture:

II Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction

Peter admitted that there are some things which Paul said which are "hard to be understood" (I bet we could all say "Amen" to that one- remember the first time you read all the way through the book of Romans?). Peter also said that those who don't understand Paul are more apt to "wrest" (Old English word meaning "to twist" "to distort") the meanings of the text "unto their own destruction." That is a frightening thought indeed!

The writer of Hebrews told his listeners/readers that there were some things about the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ that were "hard to be uttered" (Heb 5:11) because of their regression in learning. The time had come for them to be teachers, but their growth in biblical and spiritual understanding was less than desirable. There are no doubt some deep things in the bible, but I truly believe that God will give understanding unto those who ask and earnestly seek wisdom from Him. Let me give you some practical advice before I give you the scriptural. First of all, I would encourage you to read difficult passages in a variety of translations and compare the renderings. Sometimes a word translated from Greek (or Hebrew) to English may not be used in our modern vernacular (when was the last time you used the word "hither" in a sentence?). Next, I would advise you to avail yourself of the numerous study aids which are readily accessible to the modern student of scripture. There are free downloadable programs from the internet as well as numerous sites which offer online bibles and study aids. I would keep use of commentaries to a minimum and only after you have read the text for yourself- I'm not totally against them but they do bring their bias to the subject matter. Many of the commentaries written during the Reformation era are going to have a strong Reformed bias. Dispensational commentators are naturally going to view things dispensationally and try to explain the bible through their paradigm (a "paradigm" is just a way of looking at things-don't you love it when commentators use big words... I know you're proud of me). If you have some type of lexicon or a bible dictionary/concordance then you really have all you need.

Now from a scriptural standpoint, I think there are some good guidelines that we can follow when it comes to understanding the bible. First of all, I do not believe that God wants His people in the dark when it comes to understanding the scriptures. I'll just share from personal experience, but one thing I have put into practice is to pray that the Lord would "open up my understanding" of the scriptures before I read. I base this from the disciples' experience after the resurrection in Luke's gospel:

Luke 24:27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself

Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures

There is also a beautiful request in the psalms that I like to pray :

Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

In the book of James we are told that if any man lacks wisdom "let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally" (James 1:5). We are told in Corinthians that the Holy Spirit is our teacher (I Cor 2:13) and that the anointing of God through the Holy Spirit teaches us all things (I John 2:27). We are also told that those who hunger to understand the word of God will be given progressively more understanding (Matthew 13:12 & Mark 4:24). I encourage you to prayerfully read your bible. I have heard many wise and godly pastors who have suggested we should "read on our knees." In other words, prayer is key to true understanding of the bible.

Pay attention when you read in your bible. Many times you will see a reference to another scripture in the margin corresponding with a verse in the text. Since the bible is cohesive in nature and each writer of scripture complements the other without contradiction- you will find many recurring themes in the bible. I encourage you to look up the references in the bible. The New Testament is absolutely full of references to the Old Testament. If you will do your research, you will find that what you are reading has been explained in another place in scripture. I believe that if you will become a diligent student of scripture, you will find the experience extremely rewarding. The scriptures are a treasure chest of beautiful, timeless truths which have just as much application in the 21st century as when the original autographs were first penned. My prayer is that you will indeed experience the joy that comes from truly studying the scriptures. Paul told Timothy to "study"...not just to read.

So the next time you find yourself reading a passage of scripture and scratching your head, thinking "what in the world does this mean?".....why not stop, pray, and diligently search for the meaning of the scripture? It is very rewarding to finally have the "Aha" moment and being able to say "so THAT'S what Paul was trying to say....NOW I understand." I'll leave you with some good advice:

II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

May the Lord bless you as you continue to study His Word!