Is all scripture plain to understand?

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phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
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#1
VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all:(p) yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.(q)

(p) II Pet. 3:16.
(q) Psalm 119:105, 130.



Would you agree with the above statement? why or why not?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,195
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#2
Scripture is easily understood at the most basic level, however it is not totally understood by anyone other than Yeshua-Jesus.

Here is a good example, from the law. You shall not plant two kinds of seed in the same field. I would not do that but it is also good to know it please God when we do not. This is the basic understandign of that particulaer law.

Here is another understanding. Yeshua teaches us the field is the world, the good seed, His Seed, is the Good News. Going further we realize the only one who would plant a different seed would be the enemy who sows weeds. That latter refers to the other teaching os Jesus on the subject. God bless all to understand what is given and to have the faith not to fret over what they do not yet.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#3
Is all scripture plain to understand?

It is once the Holy Spirit gives understanding.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
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#4
All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all
This is exactly what Peter wrote (as quoted). Some Scriptures will always be difficult to understand.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#5
This is exactly what Peter wrote (as quoted). Some Scriptures will always be difficult to understand.
Please cite what Scripture is difficult for you to understand. We will seek wisdom and understanding from the Lord together.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#6
2 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.
3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
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#7
I think the main issue is some Christians don't believe the bible. They claim to ,but in practice, when faced with verses that contradict their doctrines they rather not believe what it says and fall back on post hoc rationalization to justify why the scriptures don't actually mean what they say . This verse is one of many examples

1 John 2:2
“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,518
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Australia
#8
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

It is inspired and the instruction, correction, reproof, and doctrines are only profitable when we are open to the leading of the divine Holy Spirit.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,540
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#9
I think the main issue is some Christians don't believe the bible. They claim to ,but in practice, when faced with verses that contradict their doctrines they rather not believe what it says and fall back on post hoc rationalization to justify why the scriptures don't actually mean what they say . This verse is one of many examples

1 John 2:2
“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Agreed.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,260
2,111
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#10
2 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.
3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.


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.


I'll agree with the Apostle Peter who wrote scripture himself that some things are hard to understand. Paul can be hard to get to grips with.

But as Peter says we grow in grace and Knowledge (ongoing not instant). yet, no matter how much you understand God's word will feed you for that day.
 
Oct 19, 2020
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#11
VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all:(p) yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.(q)

(p) II Pet. 3:16.
(q) Psalm 119:105, 130.



Would you agree with the above statement? why or why not?

It requires the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning behind the words. A carnal mind can mislead any sentence to its own purpose.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
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#12
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.


I'll agree with the Apostle Peter who wrote scripture himself that some things are hard to understand. Paul can be hard to get to grips with.

But as Peter says we grow in grace and Knowledge (ongoing not instant). yet, no matter how much you understand God's word will feed you for that day.
The ' mysteries ' were revealed to Paul . Peter may needed time to catch up .
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,260
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#13
It requires the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning behind the words. A carnal mind can mislead any sentence to its own purpose.
Of course it does. and Yet the Apostle Peter full of the Holy Spirit and a scripture writer found some scripture hard to understand.

Like we all do, unless we are self deluded.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
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#14
The ' mysteries ' were revealed to Paul . Peter may needed time to catch up .
I love how Peter preaches the Gospel of Grace in Christ Jesus the same as Paul don't you? I mean you do know Peter was preaching this Good news before Paul? And God use's their different writing styles for His own Glory. Amen.
 
Oct 19, 2020
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#15
Of course it does. and Yet the Apostle Peter full of the Holy Spirit and a scripture writer found some scripture hard to understand.

Like we all do, unless we are self deluded.

Maybe some Scripture is still unfulfilled. Until it is fulfilled, then meaning to it is not understood. Or maybe a word, not translatable, is found. Maybe according to the rest of the Verse if the translation means this it can then be this, or if it means something else it can be that. But i understand your Point being made. I agree!
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,260
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#16
Maybe some Scripture is still unfulfilled. Until it is fulfilled, then meaning to it is not understood. Or maybe a word, not translatable, is found. Maybe according to the rest of the Verse if the translation means this it can then be this, or if it means something else it can be that. But i understand your Point being made. I agree!
We can see this in how Christians view the end times.. but one day we will know for certain and be in complete agreement.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
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#18
I love how Peter preaches the Gospel of Grace in Christ Jesus the same as Paul don't you? I mean you do know Peter was preaching this Good news before Paul? And God use's their different writing styles for His own Glory. Amen.
Which verse please?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
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#19
I love how Peter preaches the Gospel of Grace in Christ Jesus the same as Paul don't you? I mean you do know Peter was preaching this Good news before Paul? And God use's their different writing styles for His own Glory. Amen.
Its helpful if you quote some verses with the statements?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
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#20
Understanding the basic premises would suffice for many: God is our Creator, has a plan for our
lives, and loves us so much He sent His only begotten Son to pay our sin debt, that we might be
reconciled to Him by grace through faith in the shed righteous blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, for
He is he light and life of men, and none shall survive the second death outside of Him :D