Context is everything
In this article, I want to examine our attitude to interpreting Scriptures, especially when faced with two different commandments or instructions that may seem to be contradictory.
For example, the Bible teaches that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. We understand this to be the underlying premise for anything that has to do with the salvation of a man. We are instructed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls.
So, what do we do when we are faced with another statement or instruction that says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12)
Are we to treat the second instruction as independent of the first one or of the underlying premise? We cannot do that; for an underlying premise is the foundation on which other things run. As such, we must understand that the instruction to “work out our salvation” must be followed within the premise of the fact that we are saved not by our works but through faith in Christ.
I have used this example to explain what seems to be a difficult subject for some people to come to terms with.
If the believer is commanded to give in love to meet the needs of others, sharing with others from what he has, and then there is a second instruction to give to those who teach him, the believer cannot interprete and apply that second instruction outside of the premise of the first. It would be improper.
Every instruction in the Bible is given in the context of something. None are standalone items. The instruction to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus is given in the context that all men are sinners. As such, to preach a Gospel that does not regard the sinfulness of man is to preach a false gospel e.g. a gospel that says, “Come to Jesus if you want the fruit of the womb“. That’s wrong and false.
It is just as wrong to say that we are commanded to give to preachers without regarding the issue of needs. The examples we see are examples of the needs of preachers being met. The goal and practice were not to enrich. The focus was to support, to maintain, to help.
We also see that the example of people giving to the apostle Paul was that of meeting his needs, and nothing else. The commandments do not detract from this. Nothing in 1 Corinthians 9 suggests otherwise. The terms “earn a living” refer to the meeting of needs; for people earn a living to do just that.
When examining Scriptures on any subject, we must not ignore underlying premises, for we would be unwittingly propagating falsehood in our understanding and consequently in our practices.
