A few days ago, I posted the following quote on my Facebook profile:

“Jesus said, ‘Go… and make disciples,’ not converts to your opinions.” – Oswald Chambers

A friend wrote in the comments, “How do you know what Jesus said?????”

It is a good question, and worthy of a thoughtful, honest answer.

I responded, “By studying the Bible. He said plenty in there, and it’s the only way we can know what He did say.”

As it turns out, it was more of a challenge than a question. He wasn’t looking for an answer, as was evident from the comment thread that followed. Perhaps his real question is, how can we know even from the Bible, that Jesus actually said what it says he said.

So, how do we know what Jesus said? Why are there so many denominations today, all claiming to be Christian, yet they have differing, often contradicting, views of what the Bible says, and what Jesus taught? Why do so many get it wrong?

The Bible is not a collection of unrelated verses (with the exception of the book of Proverbs). It consists of 66 books, written by some 40 human authors in three different languages over the course of 1500 years.

Its true author is God, who inspired the human authors.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB1995)

When we cherry-pick the verses we like, and lift them out of context, we miss the whole point of the verse, and give it a whole new meaning. Our own meaning, usually not at all the meaning God intended.

For example, people like to quote Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is often claimed by those who want to pass exams, perform great feats, overcome their fears, or even win a game in sports.

They have taken it out of context and made it mean whatever they want it to mean.

Return that verse to its context, and back up a few verses. What does it really say?

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:10-13 (NKJV)

The meaning is clear, when we take a close look at the verse in its context.

R. C. Sproul said, “The right of private interpretation of the Bible does not include within it the right to distort.”

Steven Lawson said, “The right interpretation of a passage of scripture is usually the most obvious meaning of the passage.”

In the following video, Todd Friel says that in order to rightly understand what a passage of scripture means, we need to ask our Bible some foundational questions. We can, and must, know what it meant to the recipients at the time it was written, before we ask what it means to us personally today.

I hope you find this video as helpful as I do.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions, or questions you ask yourself in order to understand the meaning of the scriptures?

Be sure to leave a comment, to share your thoughts!