We know that the Bible, the Word of God, is addressed to man from God with all authority. As such, man is responsible to reverence it, to read it, to learn from it, and to obey it. But because it is the Word of God, coming from an infinite God, and conveying truth connected with Him, of necessity there is much in the Word of God that is beyond reason. Paul tells us that “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ... because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:1414But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)). But the Spirit of God is able to apply the Word of God to our hearts and consciences, first of all to make us feel our need of a Savior, and then, after we are saved, to use it to minister Christ to our souls.
Understanding the Word
In the Old Testament, much that was given was not clearly understood, even by those who truly had new life. This was also true of those who were inspired to write the Word. When they asked for more light, they were told that what they had written was for a future day—the day in which we are living now (see 1 Peter 1:11-1211Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:11‑12)). In the light of the New Testament, the Old Testament has become clearer, for all the counsels of God are now revealed. However, there are depths of truth in the Word of God that cannot totally be searched out, even in a lifetime. Yet in this the day of His grace, God would have us to increase in “the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph. 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13)) and “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:99For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9)). To this end, He has not only given the Spirit of God to indwell every true believer, but also has given to the church those with real gift, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:1212For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:12)). We do well not to neglect these gifts to the church, while at the same time feeling our own responsibility to read and meditate upon God’s Word.
Commentaries
One of the ways by which we can make use of these gifts is to read written commentaries on the Word of God. While many books have been written along this line, believers have also appreciated so-called “study Bibles.” Strictly speaking, the term “study Bible” can refer merely to a translation that facilitates the study of the Bible. More commonly, however, it refers to a Bible complete with notes and other features that enable the reader to study the text. These can be a help in understanding the Scriptures, while, of course, not being a substitute for personal meditation. As we have already mentioned, every true believer is indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who is there to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)).
Study Bibles
Although there has been a tremendous proliferation of study Bibles during the past 20-25 years, the concept is not new. As far back as the reformation, and even before, translations of the Bible such as William Tyndale’s challenged the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in its notes. The Geneva Bible (circa 1560) emphasized the teachings of John Calvin, again seeking, for the most part, to refute Roman Catholic doctrine. The King James Bible (1611) did not have notes, and it was the accepted translation for more than three hundred years, but beginning about one hundred years ago, once again study Bibles began to appear. The most well-known of these is probably the Scofield Bible, with fairly copious notes supporting a dispensational view of Scripture. About the same time, F. C. Thompson’s chain reference Bible appeared, which was more doctrinally objective. But beginning in the 1990s, a virtual explosion of study Bibles occurred. Some of these were connected with prominent names such as John F. MacArthur and Charles Ryrie, while others were connected with publishing firms such as Zondervan and Thomas Nelson. Still others were produced with certain groups in mind and to address specific problems, such as Zondervan’s “NIV Women’s Devotional Bible” and Tyndale’s “The Life Recovery Bible.” Needless to say, the number of choices can be bewildering.
Doctrinal Issues
Two things are necessary for a good study Bible: (1) a good literal translation and (2) notes that emphasize the whole truth of God. This is where the difficulty begins, for most study Bibles, going all the way back to Calvin’s Geneva Bible, embody the spiritual bias of the author in both the translation and the notes. The notes in the Geneva Bible teach Calvinistic doctrine, and they have rather strongly worded and flawed interpretations of Revelation. Other study Bibles support erroneous systems such as covenant theology (reconstructionism) or charismatic practices, and the most liberal even cast doubt on the full, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures.
Where then does this leave us? It should be evident that great care is needed before using a study Bible, for errors, once learned, are often hard to unlearn. On the other hand, some of these study Bibles teach a great deal of truth, as, for example, the Geneva Bible, already mentioned. It was probably the first Bible in the English language to be widely used, and it was of incalculable value until the King James Version appeared more than fifty years later. The danger is that when a great deal of truth is mixed with a small amount of error, the weight of the truth tends to support the error, and because the reader is taken off guard, the error is accepted as truth. In a world that is now characterized by “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14)), we need to be constantly on our guard and to heed our Lord’s admonition, “Take heed therefore how ye hear” (Luke 8:1818Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. (Luke 8:18)).
Good Translations
The best translations are those made by men who walked in the fear of God and in the whole truth of God. Mere scholarship, while highly desirable, is not enough to guarantee an accurate translation of the Scriptures. Likewise, we must remember that “the scope of no prophecy of scripture is had from its own particular interpretation” (2 Peter 1:2020Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20) JND). That is, no part of the Word of God can be interpreted apart from its relationship with the whole of Scripture, for “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)). The Word of God hangs together as one complete whole; when interpreted properly, all is in complete harmony. Likewise, the best notes are those written by men who have imbibed and walked in the whole truth of God, as opposed to those who have been associated with ecclesiastical error. We can never learn “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:2727For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)) from those who do not walk in it.
Some may argue that the King James translators certainly did not know or walk in the whole truth of God. This is true, but many of them, especially the Puritans, were walking up to the light they had, and they earnestly sought to translate the Word of God accurately. They were not willfully turning away from light that had been set before them, nor were they trying to introduce systematized error.
The Correct Approach
This raises one final point. Do we need a study Bible at all? I would suggest that while they can be helpful, there may be a tendency to rely on such notes, instead of allowing the Word of God to speak directly to us. An old brother once gave good advice, which I pass on. He said, “Read the pure Word of God by itself; then meditate and form your own thoughts on it. Then turn to good, reliable written ministry and read from the relevant passage. If it agrees with your own thoughts, or expands on them, that is good. If not, get on your knees and ask the Lord to show you what is right.” Having adopted this approach for many years, I can attest to the fact that it works.
For the serious student of the Word of God, J. N. Darby’s translation, with its notes, is unparalleled for clear light as to the meaning of Scripture. The notes do not teach doctrine, but rather seek to make the meaning of the text clear. Then, for a commentary, J. N. Darby’s Synopsis of the Books of the Bible is again unparalleled for its clear and reliable exposition of the Word. At times the sentences can be hard to understand, but time spent in reading it well repays the effort. Also, it cannot be read without reading and knowing the Word of God, for its constant quotations of Scripture and references to it are done as if the reader already recognizes the passage. Those who do not recognize it are compelled to look it up, and thus the reader is constantly sent back to the pure Word of God, that “liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:2323Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)).
We hasten to say that this final comment is not meant to discourage any use of study Bibles, but merely to point out that they are not entirely necessary in order to understand the Scriptures. If we feel led to use a study Bible, let us, on the one hand, remember the potential pitfalls, and, on the other hand, remember that no commentary is a substitute for the pure Word of God.
W. J. Prost