How can Christians Interpret the Bible so Differently?
Have you ever sent a text message, only to have the other person completely misunderstand what you meant? Maybe you said, “I’m fine,” but you really meant, “I'm not fine, please ask me what's wrong.” Communication can be tricky, even when we’re speaking the same language. Now imagine trying to understand a book written thousands of years ago, in a different culture, in different languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It’s no surprise that interpreting the Bible can sometimes be challenging!
The Problem with Interpretation
Language is complex, and words can have multiple meanings. The same sentence can be interpreted in completely different ways depending on context, culture, and personal assumptions.
For example, imagine your roommate tells you:
“Turn up the air conditioner.”
Do they mean:
Turn up the thermostat and make the house warmer?
Increase the power of the air conditioner to make the house colder?
The same phrase can mean opposite things, depending on how you interpret it. And if this can happen in a simple everyday conversation, think about how it might happen when reading an ancient text like the Bible!
The Bible and Ambiguous Words
One example of this issue in the Bible comes from the Hebrew word paquad. This word can mean either “attend to” (in a positive way, like taking care of someone) or “punish” (in a negative way, like disciplining someone). Zephaniah 2:7 says:
“The Lord their God will paquad them.”
So, does this verse mean:
God will take care of them and bless them?
God will punish them?
If both meanings are possible, then translators have to make an educated decision based on the context. If they get it wrong—or if someone misreads the passage—the whole meaning of the verse can change!
How to Handle Difficult Passages
So, what should we do when we encounter passages in the Bible that seem unclear?
Compare Different Translations – Since translators make choices about how to interpret words, reading multiple translations can give you a broader perspective.
Look at the Context – What is the passage about? Who is it speaking to? What happens before and after the verse?
Use Bible Study Tools – Resources like commentaries, lexicons, and interlinear Bibles can help you understand the original language better.
Think Critically – Whenever you hear a sermon or read commentary about the Bible, take it with a grain of salt. Even scholars and pastors can have biases.
Ask God – If the Bible is God’s Word, then asking Him for understanding is always a good idea!
The Takeaway
Interpreting the Bible isn’t always straightforward, and that’s okay! It’s important not to take every interpretation at face value. Instead, dig deeper, ask questions, and seek to understand what God is really saying.
