Interpreting Scripture with Scripture

Currently attending a small group which is tackling difficult and/or controversial topics we have found the huge benefit of interpreting Scripture with Scripture. Sometimes the only way in which we can understand certain passages is to reconcile them with what the rest of Scripture says.

In engaging difficult verses in the Bible we have relied on other theologians interpretations as found in commentaries or in notes of study Bibles. One participant objected that these theologians were reading things into the text that weren't there. Rather, they were attempting reconcile that verse with the rest of Scripture to come to a meaning that seemed right. J. I. Packer writes:

The second basic principle of interpretation is that Scripture must interpret Scripture; the scope and significance of one passage is to be brought out by relating it to others. Our Lord gave an example of this when he used Gn. ii.24 to show that Moses’ law of divorce was no more than a temporary concession to human hard-heartedness. The Reformers termed this principle the analogy of Scripture; the Westminster Confession states it thus: “The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture is the scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture, it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.” (Fundamentalism and the Word of God, p101-114)

This is one reason of many that we must attempt to read, understand, and master the entirety of Scripture. Keep in mind, however, something else Packer suggests in the same writing as above:

It follows that the Christian must approach the study of Scripture in humble dependence on the Holy Spirit, sure that he can learn from it nothing of spiritual significance unless he is taught of God.