II Peter1:20: The word ‘private’ is the Greek word ‘idios’, meaning one's own, or his own, and is translated that way in.
The New American Standard Bible translates like this.
NAU 2 Peter 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
Matthew 9:1: his own
Matthew 25:14: his own
I Corinthians 12:11: severally is the Greek word ‘idios’ This is the only place where it is translated severally.
II Peter 1:20: The word ‘interpretation’ is the Greek word ‘epilusis.’ This is the only place where the word is used in the Bible, but in Greek writings, the word is used ‘like a dog loose upon the game.’ “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any personal letting loose.”
If not private or one’s own interpretation is available, we are left with either.
- There is no interpretation possible or,
- The Word must interpret itself. If not, let’s just forget it – go home. But, I believe the Word does interpret itself.
We need to use the rules and laws of grammar to help us let the word of God interpret Itself.
Words have meanings, and we need to let the words in the verses speak for themselves.
Looking at some examples of words in the verse interpreting itself.
Genesis 1:1:
John 3:16:
Matthew 11:28 – 30 Scriptures usually interpret itself with the words written right in the verse.
1 In the verse, right where it is written.
If you add other verses, chapters, or the entire book in which ideas or words are written, you get a more complete story or record. The more complete context that you read, the more complete understanding that you can have. That’s why I exhort Bible students to read their Bibles much.
This is an important key to understanding the Bible to read the entire context to get the complete story or record.
If you do not understand something or want to know more about the subject, one way to learn the answer is by reading the context.
Scripture interprets itself in the context, story, and record. This is how students learn what a new word means in a passage they are reading.
Matthew 13:24: What is the good seed? Let’s guess. Quit thinking and guessing! Let’s read the whole story and record. We just keep reading until somewhere, sometimes, the meaning is explained. If it is not explained, we will not know.
Matthew 13:25-31, 36: The disciples did not guess.
Matthew 13:37-40: The interpretation was in the context.
Acts 7:55 & 56:
A little bit about letting the Scriptures interpret themselves (An excerpt from the book “How to Read the Bible for Understanding and Power” by Steve Jaynes)
I would like to tell you a story. I had a friend who told me this story. He was a young man who just started to run a fellowship in his home. He had only been reading and searching God’s Word for a short time. But he was not the guessing type. He would read and search God’s Word, and then he would teach it in his home to others who came by to hear him.
One day as he was teaching in his home, another young man came to his fellowship. This other young man had been going to churches his whole life and was the head of almost every church group at his college. He was really well-versed in religion.
He heard about this little fellowship being run near his college, and he was interested. He went to the Bible fellowship, and as he was sitting there in the front.
My friend who was teaching God’s Word came to this verse here in Acts chapter 7, verse 56, and it says
Acts 7:56 “And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”
Then, looking right at the young man, he said, “Why was the son of man standing?” A little startled and embarrassed, the young leader of almost every religious group on campus said, “I don’t know.” My friend said, “That’s right. If God’s Word doesn’t tell you, then you don’t know.”
The young church leader was so surprised not to know the answer and still be right. We all can learn a lesson from this. There is nothing wrong with saying you do not know when you do not. To guess is always wrong.
Instead of guessing, we are learning how to read our Bibles and search the scriptures to see what the Word says.
I will tell you another story or something that I always see. It says in God’s Word that He knows what things we need before we pray. It also says to pray. God asked us to pray. Why? This is the questions I hear all the time. Why do we have to pray to God when he knows what we need before we ask? Do you know what the answer is? I don’t know. God says to pray. That’s all I know.
I don’t try to guess. I don’t make something up. I don’t use my best working knowledge of what I think it might be.
This has been the problem, too much speculation, too much guessing. We need to let the Word interpret itself. We need to search the scriptures and say what the scripture say without embellishing them with our opinions. We need to let the scripture say what they say without adding misleading terms.
We need to consider the exact words that are written in each verse and consider those words in their context.
We may need to read the entire book in which the record is written to get the complete context. Some people who know God’s Word have been asked questions and, not wanting to look unintelligent or smart, have said, “I think it means this.” We should try hard never to use the words “I think it means.” I don’t mind saying, “I don’t know.”
Because the Word of God interprets itself right in the verse or in the context and some other keys that we will look at in our next time together.
Until the next time we get together, may God bless you abundantly.
Agape,
The Teacher: Steve Jaynes
The Announcer: Maurice Coleman
Intro and Outro Music: Pamela LoVerme Janovyak, Her version of “Be Thou My Vision” from her CD Behold
But you don’t have to wait till the next show to continue to learn and grow. Go to Stevejaynes.com where Steve has plenty to give in resources to help you continue to learn today.
To get in contact with Steve to ask questions or share something, feel free to email or text me. If you would like to talk to me, let’s set up an appointment to make the call. I would love to hear from you and would love to talk with you.
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