2 Peter 3:16 - He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
The bible can be difficult to understand.
When referring to Paul’s letters, even Peter calls them hard to understand.
As I’m periodically working my way through books of the bible, I create a list of verses which are worth of a deeper look.
Currently, having just read the book of Ezekiel, I’ve got a list of 35 passages or verses which will get special focus as I now plough my way through a few commentaries on the book.
But, what should you do when you strike upon one of the more difficult verses from the scriptures?
How should you wrestle with a passage like 1 Timothy 2:15? (But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.)
Firstly, you treasure the words of 2 Peter 3 or Deuteronomy 29:29 - The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Some things about the bible, are hard. Or hidden.
Maybe we aren’t meant to know everything.
But, second, we should approach the Bible prayerfully. We should ask for illumination by the help of the Holy Spirit.
Third, we need to acknowledge that, while everything may not be shrouded in mystery, a neat answer may simply be beyond us. I’m prepared to admit that, at times, I won’t be able to work some things out. Maybe, I’m just too dense for some parts of the bible.
Fourth, thankfully, there are many people who are smarter and more learned than myself. They know the original languages. They know the historical and cultural context. They’ve sat under the wisest theological minds and biblical scholars.
Even if I don’t know the answer to tricky biblical passages, others do. The answers are available.
So, fifth, we should search for the answers from respectable bible teachers. If there’s a general consensus - across denominational lines - then you’ve probably discovered your answer. Even if you don’t like it.
Sixth, if we don’t uncover a neat solution, then we may need to just accept that a simple answer isn’t forthcoming.
We need to be prepared to admit this.
We need to still wrestle with this.
We need to become comfortable in our unknowing.
For, seventh, not every bible verse holds salvation defining truths.
Some passages aren’t as vital as others.
And we don’t need to obsess over the periphery issues which emerge from them.
But, eighth, we can still strive to uncover the underlying larger principles which tricky bible passages teach about.
And, ninth, we can seek for the ways which others believers, in the midst of their uncertainty, live with these difficult passages. For, our queries are not new nor unique. And, the difficult passages have existed alongside faithful believers for Millenia.
If you follow these steps, while the difficult passages won’t disappear, you’ll loose a lot less sleep over them.
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