THREE (3) COMMON BIBLE PASSAGES INTERPRETED OUTSIDE THEIR CONTEXTS - ANALYZED

Hello dearly Beloved in the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I trust GOD that these things I now share with you in this Article will be made plain to you, and understanding and insight will be granted you. AMEN.

Before we look into the three (3) subjects of discussion, you must realize and recognize that the Bible is like a movie script; when you watch a movie, you cannot choose how the movie will be acted neither can you decide how the movie will end, because that movie is playing according to a defined script. Hence, the movie will only go in the direction of the script. So it's in the place of the watcher to stick to the play of the movie, because you cannot give a movie your own interpretation, because the interpretation of every movie is according to it's script. So you can only stick to what the movie presents to you. For example, no matter how much you love a particular movie character, if he or she is to die in that movie, you cannot change that, because according to the script, such a person died. - Selah. So it is with the WORD OF GOD, you cannot give it your own interpretation, you cannot give the Bible your own meaning. Every Word of GOD in the Bible has its meaning it is intended for; you are to seek out that meaning, and not assume your own meaning or interpretation of what is written. So just as you cannot give a movie your own meaning or interpretation, because the interpretation of a movie is depended on the script thereof, so likewise you cannot give the Bible your own meaning or interpretation, because every word of GOD has it's own defined meaning and interpretation. It is that interpretation you should seek, and not what you assume or think it should mean. - Selah

'Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.' - 2 Peter 1 vs 20 {KJV}

The Scriptures did not come about by private interpretations. No! This means that the definition of Scriptures are in themselves.

'The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion.' - {MSG}

Scriptures did not come about by the private opinion of the Prophets. The Prophets did not prophecy their private / personal opinions. They spoke the mind of GOD void of their own opinions and interpretations. Meaning they stuck to what GOD said only! They didn't assume what GOD might have meant, they stayed with what was said. - Selah

This is the attitude we must have when we explain the writings of the Bible, we must stick to what was said, and not add our private interpretations, opinions or assumptions into them.

So the first Bible Passage interpreted outside it's context we will be looking out is on the subject of;

FROM GLORY TO GLORY

'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' - 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18 {KJV}

One thing we must understand about Bible interpretation is that, every word has its meaning in its context. The meaning of a Word as regarding Bible interpretation, is found in the context in which it was used. Hence, it is safe to say that there is no omnibus application of Bible words. For example, You cannot use the meaning of a word used in a Bible Book or Chapter for another Chapter. Why? It's because they were not used in the same context. So even if the words are the same, yet their meanings will differ, because they were not used in the same context of speech. - Think about it. So as a good / accurate Bible student, you must always seek to uphold context in your Bible study, and stick to it. #Context. A certain theologian said;

"A text (Bible text) can never mean today what it never meant when it was written."

This is so true. Don't fall for the gimmick of "the HOLY SPIRIT can give you a different revelation from a Bible text" simply because the Bible is a spiritual book. Hey, don't fall for that gimmick, it's not true. The HOLY SPIRIT will never give you a revelation or meaning of a Bible Text that was not the original meaning or revelation when it was written. We are not to give the Bible our own meanings or interpretations, no. Instead, we are to seek what the Bible says, and not help the Bible say what it never said. - Selah

Now, the Bible phrase "From Glory to Glory" has being taken out of the context of that Bible passage by many to mean moving into greater realms of abundance, increase, favour and material successes. How wrong! So you find a Believer declaring that He is moving from Glory to Glory. Well, that's a nice declaration. Ooo yes. But using 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18 as the base for that confession or declaration is where it went wrong, as that passage had nothing to do with increasing financially, neither increasing in success, neither increasing in health, nor growing into another great level of earthly influence. - Selah. So now, let's examine that passage, and see the context at which "From Glory to Glory" was used.

'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' - 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18 {KJV}

WITH OPEN FACE

'And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.' - 2 Corinthians 3 vs 13 - 16 {KING JAMES VERSION}

So in CHRIST we all see with open faces. "When it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." So in CHRIST, we all have open faces. We see the CHRIST clearly now. In the Old Testament, they could not see the CHRIST, even though HE was the message of the Law, yet they could not behold HIM. Why? The verse 13 says it;

'And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished...'

The children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. What is that which is abolished? The Law. So He is saying that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of the Law. What is the end of the Law?

'For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.' - Romans 10 vs 4 {KJV}

You see... So if we rephrase that passage (2 Corinthians 3 vs 13,) it says;

'And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to CHRIST.'

Hallelujah! You see it... But the Believer in CHRIST sees GOD as HE truly is. No vail! He beholds with an open face. He has come into reality! No more shadows! The Light has come, and He sees it clearly and wholly. Hallelujah! Glory to GOD. AMEN.

BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS THE GLORY OF THE LORD

As in a glass there is an illustration. There the writer is trying to illustrate to us using a glass or mirror, what happens to the Believer when He beholds the Glory of the LORD. Now, what's the glory of the LORD the Believer beholds?

'For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.' - 2 Corinthians 3 vs 9 {KJV}

You see, He's talking about the Ministration of Righteousness; the New Covenant, the New Testament. You get it... Now notice that I did not assume what the glory of the LORD as used here should mean. Some preach it to be the Word of GOD; that when you look into the Word of GOD, you see yourself, your true self. But you see, as nice sounding as that interpretation appears, it is a complete explanation that slides out of context. By the way, just to add, When you look into the Word of GOD, you don't see yourself, neither do you see your true self, but you see CHRIST. CHRIST is the Revelation of the Scriptures (The Law, the Psalms and the Prophets,) HE is also the revelation of the Epistles of the Apostles.

'And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.' - Luke 24 vs 44 {KJV}

You see that... CONCERNING HIM!

'And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.' - Luke 24 vs 27 {KJV}

In all the Scriptures!

It's clear now right? Yea. So it's evident the the entire Bible has a single thread that runs through it from the beginning at Genesis to the end at Revelation, and that thread is "CHRIST". Glory to GOD.

So we see that the glory of the LORD as used in that Passage above is the Ministration of Righteousness, or the New Testament. So He is saying, We Believers with open faces, as we behold the works of CHRIST like a man beholds himself in a mirror. You get it now? Yes okay. Let's continue with the explanations;

ARE CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY

The understanding of this passage should be getting clear to you now. So the Apostle is saying to us that, As we Believers who see with open faces (because we are in CHRIST) behold the Works of CHRIST just like a man beholds himself in a mirror (glass), we are changed/transformed into the image (character, personality) of CHRIST more and more. You see, the usage of the word "from glory to glory" as used there is to denote "more and more". In other words, He is saying that we become like CHRIST more and more as we behold HIS Works. Simple! - Think about this.

Let's see some other Bible translations, and see how it's put there;

'But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.' - 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18 {TLB}

We become more and more like him. (From glory to glory)

'Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.' - 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18 {MSG}

⦁ we are transfigured much like the Messiah

⦁ our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful

⦁ we become like him

You see, it's obvious that the usage of the line "from glory to glory" was to depict the Believer become like CHRIST. Having seen and known the context, it's obvious and certain that using this passage of the Bible to affirm your moving forward in material things and earthly engagements is a total error. GOD Bless you.

So therefore, when you say you are moving from glory to glory, know what you are saying.

EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD

It is obvious and evident that it's only by the SPIRIT OF GOD that we can see clearly and in details, the unveilings of the Works of CHRIST. And by the unveilings thereof, we grow! we glow! we are transfigured! we are transformed! we become like HIM. Hallelujah!

So we have successfully being able to analyze 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18, to find out the context of the phrase "from glory to glory", and that has being established for us now. Glory to GOD. Now let's move on to the next Bible Passage.

AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE

Uhmmm. This one is very popular in the mouths of many. Okay, let's do an examination of it;

'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.' - Proverbs 23 vs 7 {KJV}

Now, when you are interpreting Bible passages, it's very important that you consider and take note of the pre-texts and the post-texts of that passage, because that's what unveils the context of that passage. The pre-text is simply the words given before the said verse. While the post-text is or are the words given/rendered after the said verse. When you make proper observation of the pre-texts and the post-texts of a Bible verse or passage, you will hardly miss the context (the actual meaning or interpretation of the verse, chapter or passage.)

Now in the case of this Bible verse above, let's consider the pre-text of that verse, so that we can begin to build a base for the understanding of this verse. So let's see the immediate previous verse (verse 6;)

'Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meals:' - Proverbs 23 vs 6 {KJV}

If you notice very well, that verse 6 did not end with a full stop, it ended with a column. That means that the next verse is an emphasis of the ending verse, which is the verse 6. Do you get it? Verse 6 ending with a column means that the verse 7 is going to be an emphasis of what verse 6 was talking about. Uhmmmm. That means, to know what verse 7 is emphasizing, we must have good understanding of what was said in verse 6. So let's analyze verse 6 now;

HIM THAT HATH AN EVIL EYE

An understanding of this line in that verse 6, will establish your heart with the understanding of what the two (2) verses are communicating. So to understand what the writer meant by "him that hath an evil eye", let's consult one or two other Bible translations of that verse, so we can have an idea. Let's see the Amplified Bible and the Living Bible translation of the Bible for this verse 6;

'Eat not the bread of him who has a hard, grudging, and envious eye, neither desire his dainty foods...' - {AMP}

So we get two (2) new words for "an evil eye",

⦁ hard

⦁ grudging

Let's see the Living Bible Translation;

'Don't associate with evil men; don't long for their favors and gifts.'

Here He calls it "evil men."

Let's see how the Message Bible Translation puts it;

'Don't accept a meal from a tightwad; don't expect anything special.'

Here, we get another word for "an evil eye", "tightward". Who is a tightward? It's simply a stingy person.

So you see, if you put these words together, you will understand what verse 6 was talking about, it was referring to a stingy, self centered person. So, let's look at that passage again, and we will then rephrase it with our findings;

'Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meals:' - Proverbs 23 vs 6 {KJV}

When we rephrase, we get;

'Eat thou not the bread of a stingy person, neither desire thou his dainty meals:' - Proverbs 23 vs 6 {KJV}

You see it? Okay. Now let's move to the verse 7 and make analysis.

'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.' - Proverbs 23 vs 7 {KJV}

Many preachers and teachers have used this passage to establish success principles, saying that a man is the reflection of his thoughts. Lolzz. That's not true. A man is not a reflection of His thoughts. You ask yourself, are you a reflection of your thoughts? Are there not things you have today that you never thought you could have at this time? Haven't GOD showed you Favours that you know you weren't looking at obtaining because you never saw yourself there, yet GOD gave it? You know, these "principles" sound nice and intelligent, and deep, but they are simply a deception and far from the Truth. If you say a man is a product of his thoughts, you are subtlely removing the place of Grace and Supernatural intervention, and introducing a life of self efforts, self confidence; because people will find themselves fixing their thoughts to align with their positivities. I tell you, that is an unnecessary struggle. Some have even become mystical by using this Bible passage to preach science, saying that your thoughts sends out energies that forms your experience. Lolzz. See beloved, if a man wants to talk science, let him talk science with science, and not twist scriptures to say what they never said. All manner of errors people have preached out of this Bible verse that sincerely didn't say those things they now preach. Okay. It is well.

Let's see this passage in those three (3) Bible translations, and see what we find;

'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].' - {AMP}

HE GRUDGES THE COST

Take note of this. This simply goes to further emphasis verse 6 that the man being spoken of here is "a stingy man." Remember verse 6 ended with a column, and I told you how that goes to show that the next verse will be an emphasis of the previous verse. Okay. So this is a stingy man, he says to the fellow eat and drink, and as the fellow is eating and drinking, this man's heart is not with him, for he grudges the cost of the meal he has offered the fellow. That means, he is not happy that he is spending His money. So the writer is informing us that for such men, their true personality and character is not seen in the nice things they say, but in the thoughts that goes through their hearts (which obviously are not seen in the open.) You see it now? That's what He meant by "as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Meaning, His true gestures are not the nice words he puts up, but his true gestures are the thoughts he thinks in his heart. Hence, it's a caution to us not to be easily moved by the words of men, because a man's true character will be known by the thoughts of his heart which is unseen rather than the words of his mouth which can be deceitful. Simple! He never intended to establish a life's principle of thoughts, whereby you become or attain to the thoughts of your heart. He was simply addressing the character of a certain category of men. "Stingy men." - Selah

Let's read the other two (2) translations for further emphasis and understanding;

'Their kindness is a trick; they want to use you as their pawn.' - {TLB}

THEIR KINDNESS IS A TRICK

Meaning, they are not really kind even though they speak kindness and say to you "eat and drink." He says, all that kindness is a trick. The more you eat and drink their food, the more sour their heart goes against you. Uhmmm. What men!

'He'll be as stingy with you as he is with himself; he'll say, "Eat! Drink!" but won't mean a word of it.' - {MSG}

HE WILL SAY, EAT! DRINK! BUT WON'T MEAN A WORD OF IT

This means that such men just pretend to appear nice by telling you "come eat and drink with me," and when you choose to take their invite, they feel pained that you reduce their resources. They are stingy men. Their heart goes sour with you as you eat and drink!

Are you getting this? Oo yes. Okay. You know what we are doing right now? We are doing a contextual analysis. This is what is called contextual analysis, seeking to know what was actually said in a passage, by referring to the pre-texts and many times, even the post-texts also of the passage. - Selah

Hence, the writer said; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. It's clear now right? Yea. So never catch yourself using this Bible passage to explain the success principle that a man becomes the thoughts in His heart. Nah nah nah! If at all that principle is correct, let this Bible passage not be the base or anchor for its establishment. Because this Bible passage has no idea what all that principle is all about. - Selah

Take note of this;

"A Bible text will never mean today what it never meant when it was first written." - A certain wise man

Okay. GOD Bless you.

Now let's look at the third (3rd) Bible passage of discussion;

MONEY ANSWERETH ALL THINGS

Hahahaha. This got you right? Yea, I know it did. May I begin by saying that money does not answer all things. In fact, the Bible never said that money answers all things. Ah ah, are you surprised? Can you pay someone to help you urinate your urine? If no, then why are you surprised that I said money does not answer all things? Lol. The problem we have had for a long time coming in the Church as regarding Bible teaching is the problem of the absence of "Accurate Bible Interpretation." I Thank GOD for this dispensation of time. Things are changing. In fact, things have changed. Okay, let's beginning analyzing this subject;

'A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.' - Ecclesiastes 10 vs 19 {KJV}

Uhmmm. Okay. Before we begin to explain this passage, the first step in Bible interpretation is to observe the pre-texts and the post-texts, to see if they are connected to the verse you want to explain. If they are connected, then you include the pre-texts and the post-texts in your explanations. But if they are not connected, then that means that the passage is a singular expression, then you thoroughly look into the passage. So let's examine the pre-texts and post-texts of this passage;

'By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.' - {the verse 18}

If you have read the previous verses, you will observe that verse 19 is a stand alone verse, not connected to the verse 18. So let's see the post-text (which will be the verse 20, the last verse of that chapter) if there's any connection, before we begin explanations;

'Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.'

If you noticed very well, neither did the post-text have any connection to the Bible passage (verse 19.) That means we will directly look into the Bible passage and draw out understanding. So let's begin explaining;

'A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.' - Ecclesiastes 10 vs 19 {KJV}

Let's see the Living Bible Translation rendering of this;

'A party gives laugher, and wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!'

AND MONEY GIVES EVERYTHING

In literal tense, obviously you and I knows that money does not give everything. Money cannot buy health (The rich die of sicknesses and diseases), money cannot buy sleep, money cannot buy Salvation, money cannot buy healing, money cannot buy wisdom, it cannot even buy common sense, e.t.c.

So what's the everything that the writer says money gives? That everything will be seen in the context of His writing. So let's examine the verse again;

'A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.' - Ecclesiastes 10 vs 19 {KJV}

⦁ A feast is made for laugher

⦁ wine maketh merry

⦁ but money answereth all things

'A party gives laugher, and wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!' - {TLB}

⦁ A party gives laughter

⦁ and wine gives happiness

⦁ and money gives everything

In other words, money gives both laughter and happiness. Simple! And that's true. I suppose money has made you laugh (excited) and happy also. Lol

So this is the context at which He said money answereth all things. He is saying, when a party is thrown, men laugh, men are excited; when wine is served, men are happy, men merry; but money will give you both laughter and happiness. You see that? You can imagine how you will chill and cool off if you had 10 billion US Dollars in your Bank account. Doubtlessly, you will have laughter, and happiness in your life. It will even be glorious for a Believer in CHRIST, because He has the Peace of GOD coupled with the excitement, laughter, merriment and happiness that money brings. - Selah

So to make it short, the writer is simply saying money brings about laughter, money brings about excitement, money brings about happiness, money brings about merriment. This is the context at which He said money answereth all things.

Remember this again;

"A Bible text will never mean today what it never meant when it was first written."

So dearly Beloved, we have seen all these things, and having seen these; it's evident that we have need of proper and accurate Bible interpretation, so as to help mature the Believer the way GOD wants us to mature - The way of Sound Doctrine. Thank you for reading. I do know that reading this Article was to your profit and blessing. AMEN.

GOD is with you.

- Jenning U. Angel