4. To rightly divide the scriptures that we are studying, we must recognize the context in which the Holy Spirit has divinely placed them.
We all agree with 2 Timothy 3 v 16 that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
The phrase “inspiration of God” takes on a greater depth when we observe the Greek word from which this phrase is translated: “Theopneustos”: the literal translation of which is “God breathed”
We all agree with 2 Peter 1 verses 20 and 21
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy ( of the scriptures) came not in old time(in time past) by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved (led) by the Holy Spirit.”
So, all scriptures are “God breathed” and they came into being, not by the will of man; but holy men spoke them out as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. These scriptures were written down and they form the Bible that we read today. Each scripture has a particular position in each chapter of the Bible, and each chapter a particular place in the book that you find it in. The true meaning of the verses that you are studying will become apparent as you read the chapter that they are placed in. That is their context.
Let us examine a verse that is frequently interpreted, erroneously, simply because it is treated as a stand alone verse and not interpreted, as It should be: by it’s context in the chapter.
Romans 10 v 17
“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”
This verse is continually spoken out by preachers to support their theory that: the more we hear the word of God: the more faith we receive. This theory implies working to receive more faith rather than accepting, by grace, the spiritual faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, received at the time of the new birth.We received every spiritual atom of His faith. It is this spiritual faith that enables us to believe the spiritual promises of God.
Romans 12 v 3
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man(woman) that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly(sound mindedly) according as God hath dealt to every man the measure(portion) of faith.”
Those who are born again all received the same measure of faith at the moment of their new birth.
2 Peter 1 v 1
“Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to them who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
Again, those that are born again receive a similar, precious faith by God’s grace. We cannot earn this spiritual faith, but simply accept it gracefully. It is contained in the gift of the holy spirit that we receive, a nano second, after we are blessed with salvation by grace.
Galatians 4 v 6
“And because you are sons, God hath sent the spirit of His son into your hearts crying Abba Father.”
We energize this spiritual faith as we simply believe His spiritual scriptures. Consequently, our confidence, our trust in Him grows exponentially as we witness His scriptures coming alive in our daily walk with Him.
So, which is it?
Is it a faith that we receive bit by bit as we hear the word of God?
Or is it a spiritual deposit of the faith of the Lord Jesus; every part of it, given freely, by grace, at the moment of our new birth?
Let us search for the context of Romans chapter 10, that we might understand the Holy Spirit’s true meaning of verse 17.
Romans 10 v 1
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer for Israel is that they might be SAVED.”
Romans 10 v 9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shall be SAVED.”
Romans 10 v 10
“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION.”
Romans 10 v 13
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus shall be SAVED.”
Would you agree that the context of chapter 10 of Romans is SALVATION?
Verses 14, 15 and 16 of chapter 10 illustrate more of the context that verse 17 sits in.
“How then shall they call upon Him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not HEARD?
and how shall they HEAR without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things? But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”
The key question here is evident: “And how shall they HEAR without a preacher?”
Let us think back to the time when we lived without God and without hope in this world. How did we learn about our Heavenly Father’s gospel of salvation? If you were like me, somebody shared it with you: We listened. Others may have heard the gospel in a church: You listened.
Now we have established the context for verse 17.
“So then faith( the salvation faith of our Lord Jesus Christ) comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10 v 17, as discerned by determining the context of the chapter that it nestles in, deals, without a shadow of a doubt, with hearing the word of God; believing that word unto salvation and the immediate receipt of that spiritual, precious measure of faith, contained in the gift of the holy spirit, received after salvation. It does not deal with receiving faith according to how much of the scriptures we HEAR: which implies works, and of which, we could boast.
When confronted with this truth, people become very defensive and the response is always” Well, what difference does it make?
Firstly, the word of God is not being rightly divided; and you have wrong doctrine being taught. I am amazed to learn, as I minister to those who contact our prayer line for assistance, for those I meet daily, and those who partake in prayer groups that I organize, that many Christians today spend more time listening to Christian YouTube videos than time spent studying the scriptures. They can tell me what Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn say about certain scriptures, but oftentimes cannot recount those scriptures, or know of their location in the Bible. How can we rightly divide the word of truth if we do not read it, and meditate upon it, regularly. Remember, it is our responsibility to rightly divide the word of truth. I believe this lifestyle of choosing to listen to others, rather than studying the scriptures themselves is a direct consequence of wrongly dividing Romans 10 v 17.
Secondly, those that believe this erroneous doctrine are constantly doubting as to wether or not they have enough faith to receive the promises of God. They listen avidly to YouTube videos, to pastors in church, not to understand the heart of our Heavenly Father, but “TO GET MORE FAITH”
How do I know this? My ministry brings me into contact with many who believe that faith must be worked for. They tend to be quite legalistic because their focus is upon themselves and what they must do, rather than on what the Father has done and supplied by grace.
Many have become hard hearted and burnt out, because you can never EARN enough faith.
Thankfully, when I explain that we all have the same measure of precious faith, received, by grace, at the time of our new birth; many visibly sigh with a sense of relief as this weight is lifted from their shoulders. Unfortunately, many others refuse to change. He still loves them ❤️ That is God’s grace in manifestation.
Romans 10 v 17 is just an example of ascertaining the true meaning of a scripture by analyzing the context in which the Holy Spirit has placed it. We simply read the preceding verses of chapter 10. As I study the scriptures I frequently read the preceding chapter also.
I pray that you have enjoyed this very practical sharing. You will be amazed at how easy it is to understand difficult verses by simply determining the context in which they are placed.
Part 4 will be published shortly.
Blessings.