Post by LDM on Sept 4, 2010 7:14:32 GMT -5
There are many Scriptures which speak to the relationship of the Ten Commandments (and the law in general) to the believer in Jesus Christ.
However, in discussing this a man recently, he said:
You make the letters of Paul out to be so easy to be understood whereas Peter said that they are "hard to be understood". If Peter is correct, then what that tells me is that the average person will not have a correct understanding of statements like "not under the law", "dead to the law", "free from the law", etc. Remember, Peter also said that those that were "unlearned" and unstable wrest Paul's writings. Unlearned in what? Unlearned in the "old covenant" scriptures, which was the "bible" of the early believers.
This is an objection that I have heard before, and while I find it a nonsencial defense, I have heard it enough to believe it warrants a response.
I say it is nonsensical because such persons assume that Paul's letters being hard to understand MUST indicate that the texts have to mean something other than what the text plainly states. In fact, if you accept the literal truths of the written text, then you must have the wrong understanding simply because such is not "hard" enough to understand.
Another reason why such an argument is nonsensical is because it denies the fact that revelation of truth comes by God's Holy Spirit alone. Surely such persons don't mean to imply that when the Holy Spirit imparts understanding it must by default be false because it is understood? When the Holy Spirit reveals truth, He will by virtue of being our Teacher also bring understanding. Indeed, the only reason there is ever any confusion about Scripture is when the mind of man cannot receive what the Spirit says to the churches.
So with that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at the particular Scripture.
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 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. " II Peter 3:14-16
First, let us notice that no where in that Chapter is Peter addressing the law specifically. So the correlation that the "hard things to understand" are writings about the annulling of the law are assumptions. The text specifically says that it is Paul's speaking of "these things" which are the cause for concern, and Peter defines "these things" as being the longsuffering of the Lord. However, for the sake of argument, let's say that this is a reference to Paul's text about the anulling of the law.
Second, it should also be seen that Paul's letters are referenced here as Scripture. So, the church was very much aware that these writings (which would eventually make-up our New Testament) held the strength and force of Scripture; they were recognized as God-breathed. Why would Peter do this for the sake of the Gentiles? Rather, this confirmation of the inspiration of Paul's writings was critical for the Jews. There had been disputes among the Jews about receiving Paul for fear that his teachings were prompting people to forsake the law. Therefore, it was important for Peter to confirm that Paul's works had the authority of Scripture.
Third, examine how Peter describes the people who are wrestling with Paul's letters. They are unlearned and unstable, wrestling with Paul's writings as they do the other Scriptures. This certainly seems an appropriate description of the Jews, for they believed that salvation was found in obeying the letter of the law.
Since they had been entrusted with the oracles of God, they should have known Christ when He came, but most did not.
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:38-39
Jesus is speaking above to the Jews. Why would He tell them to search the Scriptures, when they knew them welll? Because they had not yet come to understand the truth of them; they were as yet still unlearned about the meaning therein.
No one was struggling with the Scripture to their own destruction like the Jews were because their understanding of the Scriptures (or lack thereof) was contributing to their blindness in Christ.
The things "hard to understand" did not mean that we should not receive the plain meaning embodied in Paul's texts. It means that people unable to receive the plain truth of Scripture - which all points to the finished work in Christ - would struggle to come to terms with the foundation of the new covenant in Christ.
They wrestle with Paul's Scriptures because they are attempting to twist and pervert them in order to support false doctrine. This is why many who proclaim that Christians are still under the law also deny the authority of Paul's writings and label him a heretic. Let me tell you, when you have to ignore Scripture, pervert Scripture, or deny its inspiration in order to support your belief, those are tell-tale signs that you are holding to false doctrine.
If there is any understanding imparted in any Scripture, it is because the Lord has given light through the power of His Holy Spirit.
May we all seek God's Spirit for the truth of His word.
However, in discussing this a man recently, he said:
You make the letters of Paul out to be so easy to be understood whereas Peter said that they are "hard to be understood". If Peter is correct, then what that tells me is that the average person will not have a correct understanding of statements like "not under the law", "dead to the law", "free from the law", etc. Remember, Peter also said that those that were "unlearned" and unstable wrest Paul's writings. Unlearned in what? Unlearned in the "old covenant" scriptures, which was the "bible" of the early believers.
This is an objection that I have heard before, and while I find it a nonsencial defense, I have heard it enough to believe it warrants a response.
I say it is nonsensical because such persons assume that Paul's letters being hard to understand MUST indicate that the texts have to mean something other than what the text plainly states. In fact, if you accept the literal truths of the written text, then you must have the wrong understanding simply because such is not "hard" enough to understand.
Another reason why such an argument is nonsensical is because it denies the fact that revelation of truth comes by God's Holy Spirit alone. Surely such persons don't mean to imply that when the Holy Spirit imparts understanding it must by default be false because it is understood? When the Holy Spirit reveals truth, He will by virtue of being our Teacher also bring understanding. Indeed, the only reason there is ever any confusion about Scripture is when the mind of man cannot receive what the Spirit says to the churches.
So with that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at the particular Scripture.
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 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. " II Peter 3:14-16
First, let us notice that no where in that Chapter is Peter addressing the law specifically. So the correlation that the "hard things to understand" are writings about the annulling of the law are assumptions. The text specifically says that it is Paul's speaking of "these things" which are the cause for concern, and Peter defines "these things" as being the longsuffering of the Lord. However, for the sake of argument, let's say that this is a reference to Paul's text about the anulling of the law.
Second, it should also be seen that Paul's letters are referenced here as Scripture. So, the church was very much aware that these writings (which would eventually make-up our New Testament) held the strength and force of Scripture; they were recognized as God-breathed. Why would Peter do this for the sake of the Gentiles? Rather, this confirmation of the inspiration of Paul's writings was critical for the Jews. There had been disputes among the Jews about receiving Paul for fear that his teachings were prompting people to forsake the law. Therefore, it was important for Peter to confirm that Paul's works had the authority of Scripture.
Third, examine how Peter describes the people who are wrestling with Paul's letters. They are unlearned and unstable, wrestling with Paul's writings as they do the other Scriptures. This certainly seems an appropriate description of the Jews, for they believed that salvation was found in obeying the letter of the law.
Since they had been entrusted with the oracles of God, they should have known Christ when He came, but most did not.
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:38-39
Jesus is speaking above to the Jews. Why would He tell them to search the Scriptures, when they knew them welll? Because they had not yet come to understand the truth of them; they were as yet still unlearned about the meaning therein.
No one was struggling with the Scripture to their own destruction like the Jews were because their understanding of the Scriptures (or lack thereof) was contributing to their blindness in Christ.
The things "hard to understand" did not mean that we should not receive the plain meaning embodied in Paul's texts. It means that people unable to receive the plain truth of Scripture - which all points to the finished work in Christ - would struggle to come to terms with the foundation of the new covenant in Christ.
They wrestle with Paul's Scriptures because they are attempting to twist and pervert them in order to support false doctrine. This is why many who proclaim that Christians are still under the law also deny the authority of Paul's writings and label him a heretic. Let me tell you, when you have to ignore Scripture, pervert Scripture, or deny its inspiration in order to support your belief, those are tell-tale signs that you are holding to false doctrine.
If there is any understanding imparted in any Scripture, it is because the Lord has given light through the power of His Holy Spirit.
May we all seek God's Spirit for the truth of His word.