The last two articles of Chapter and Verse (July and August) discussed the first two basic ways in which the Word of God interprets itself: 1) in the verse, and 2) in the context. We will now discuss the third and final basic way of the interpretation of God’s Word, although this subject is very largely open to minutely dividing the ways of interpretation in all three categories, the third one being, in its previous usage.
Remember that according to 2 Peter 1:20 we must know firstly that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation, meaning, not of one’s own interpretation. So we dare not give our own interpretation.
If Scripture does not interpret itself right where it is written or in the context, then the interpretation is found in its previous usage, that is to say, where it was used before.
The first usage of a word, an expression, or idea is generally an explanation complete enough to carry through in all other references in the Bible. If the usage of a word or expression changes, God will always explain it.
For a good example of previous usage of a word or phrase, let’s look at 2 Corinthians 12. The subject is Paul’s thorn in the flesh, and this subject has been a “thorn in the flesh” for many Bible students, pastors, and theologians. As you will see, the Word of God will tell us exactly what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, so there is no need for guesswork. It cannot have, as we may have seen, numerous suggestions of peoples’ opinions and contradictory conclusions.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
The explanation is not right in the verse.
Some people have taught that this thorn in Paul’s flesh was sickness sent by God. This cannot be so because it says that it was sent by Satan. The crazy teaching that God makes His people sick just to humble them is sick in itself.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Sickness is darkness and 1 John says that there is NO darkness in God, so sickness is not from God. We must read on in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Although these verses give us more information, it still does not tell us or explain to us exactly what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. Furthermore, nowhere else in the New Testament is given an explanation of this thorn. So in this case we follow the third basic principle of the interpretation of God’s Word. We have to search in the Bible to find where these words, “thorn in the flesh”, or the phrase or idea was used for the first time.
Our study takes us to the Old Testament.
Numbers 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
The Word employs figures of speech in this verse and wherever you see a figure of speech, you must not take exactly what is written literally. In other words, the Israelites didn’t have the inhabitants of the land literally hanging out of their eyes, or sticking or hanging out of their sides.
A metaphor is used to compare people to pricks or thorns. The inhabitants of the land were going to be the Israelites thorns in their sides. They were going to cause them trouble. This one verse alone, since it is the first time this usage of the idea of thorns in the flesh is used, tells us clearly that the thorns represented people. The figure of speech, metaphor, clearly explains this.
There is no guesswork or privately giving our own inaccurate opinion now that we have seen the previous usage. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was people. Satan sent this thorn in the flesh to hinder the work of God through Paul. Satan’s mission is always to hinder God’s Word and work. You see, sometimes in our lives there are actual people who try to stop us or hinder us from speaking God’s Word, or doing God’s work. This is what God calls thorns in our flesh.
Now we can easily understand the meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:7.
To back up the great principle of previous usage on this topic, we’ll take a look at a couple more verses.
Joshua 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
The same truth is shown here. The thorn in the flesh always represents people, societies, and/or programs that are trying to discourage, deter, or even get rid of the Word of God.
I’m sure we have all seen or heard of those authorities in the school systems of our day who have tried to eliminate God in our classrooms. These authorities are really the ones that need to be eliminated.
Another clear example is Judges 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
Now, there is no excuse at all for considering anything else other that people being the thorns and snares to Paul, for we let the Word of God speak for itself using this third principle of the interpretation of the scriptures. And as you reflect on this truth in 2 Corinthians, consider the verses that reveal the troubles that the Apostle Paul endured as he fulfilled his ministry.
Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
We have seen the three major ways in which the Word of God interprets itself. 1) In the verse [right where it is written], 2) In the context [story build up, narrative development]. The context may either be the immediate context or the remote context, in other words, possible in another section of scripture relating to the same subject. 3) Previous usage [where the words, phrases, or ideas have been used before].
As a student of God’s Word, it is imperative to understand that God says what He means and He means what He says. There is NO WAY that God would leave the interpretation of his Word subject to our finite minds. He is perfect and His Word is perfect. But God has made us enabled ministers to rightly divide His perfect Word by applying these three wonderful principles.
God bless you!