HOW WE SEE IT? NO PRIVATE INTERPRETATION!

2 Peter 1:19-21

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

These words are more than ample warning to anyone who would attempt to distort the God-given message of the scriptures. If God says that "no…scripture is of any private interpretation", we are obligated to both understand what the will of the Lord is, & to know it as He intends it to be known.

Jesus said that (1) truth exists, that (2) it can be known, and that the (3) knowledge of it will free us from the bondage of sin (John 8:32). Paul wrote to Timothy that the scriptures are "inspired of God" (which in the Greek means "God-breathed").

2 Tim. 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Anyone who decides to teach the scriptures with an improper interpretation is described in the Bible as a false teacher, they are not to be followed or trusted:

1 Tim. 6:3-5

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Peter 2:1

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

With all that is available in the Bible concerning false or "private" interpretation, we need look only at the verse in the scriptures that places complete responsibility upon us to interpret them correctly:

2 Tim. 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This shows that we must "handle aright", or with diligence rightly divide God's word of truth. As we return to the original verse in Peter, we want to look lastly at the word "private" in the Greek: "idias" means quite simply "one's own", or of one's own mind. What God tells us here is that if there is any interpretation given to the scriptures, other than that which is inherent, it is in error & false.

Galatians 1:6-9

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.