Principle #5 on meaning...Bible reading week 32, day 5

Today is an in between chapter devotional and we will pick up Zechariah 6 on Monday.  We are continuing this series on "What is the 'meaning' of a text?"  A big thank you to Pastor John Piper who has put these principles together to understand how we should look at the words that are before us.  

What do we mean by the word "meaning"?  We are looking at clarifying this term so that we discover what it is that God wants us to know through His Word.  The answer we have been working with is...

The meaning of a text is what the author intended to communicate by his words.

I would have you underline the words "the author" and then the word "intended" and finally the words "his words."  These principles, 7 in all, are to help us to keep with what the author intended with his words rather than create something that we feel about it or read into it.  Let's review the principles so far.

Principle #1 - The Bible Assumption
The Bible even corrects wrong interpretation for the right.

Principle #2 - The Golden Rule
As a reader, do unto authors as you would have readers do unto you as an author.  Nobody likes their words twisted.

Principle #3 - The Humble Path
Reading a text in order to discover the author's intention, is the humble path to greater knowledge and true wisdom.  The pride path leads to being fools before God.

Principle #4 - The Biblical Worldview
The God-inspired author's intention has real objective existence outside ourselves.  You can find it.  Reality is not just an echo of our own subjective preferences.  You, as a reader, discover not create what the author intended.

And now unto new ground.

Principle #5 - The Meaning Never Changes
This definition of meaning implies that a text's meaning never changes from age to age or from reader to reader.  The author's intention, the meaning, is a historical event.  It is in the past and can't cease to be.  It simply is and the past doesn't change.

What this principle does for the Scripture is that it gives rock solid stability.  Let's look at Matthew 5:18 where Jesus said,

"For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished."

Jesus over emphasized that what has been said will be fulfilled.  You can take the smallest letter and you can take the smallest stroke of the making of a letter and these words and even the accents of a word are history and they will not pass away until He says so.  Each one is for a specific purpose to fulfill what God will accomplish.

So some questions.

What if an author changes his mind?

The author can change his mind but a new statement with a different meaning will have to be made but it doesn't erase the original statement and meaning.  It is history.  Both stand even though they might be different in meaning.

Can the reader see more of an author's meaning than he saw?

Yes, if the author writes with liberty in the statement to do so.  If the author said something like "including all kinds" but doesn't list all the kinds or a new thing that fits into that class comes about after the author's statement is made.  We use the notation at the end of a list called etcetera.  E-T-C for short.  We have identified a class but not listed all and the reader can supply those of the class not listed.

Paul says, "such things" in Galatians 5:21.  In verses 19 and 20 he gives a list of 15 things about attitudes and behaviors that are an offense to God and also eliminate those who practice them as a way of life from inherited the kingdom of God.  Paul, the author, allows his readers, us, to add to this list.  It is not exhaustive but it establishes a class of sinful actions that go against what God says in His Word.  Paul even says in this passage, "...and anything similar."  

Let's review.

Principle #1 - The Bible Assumption
Principle #2 - The Golden Rule
Principle #3 - The Humble Path
Principle #4 - The Biblical Worldview
Principle #5 - The Meaning Never Changes

From age to age and from reader to reader, the stability of the text is that the author's intent is history.  We are not wobbling around about its meaning but can know and can know that something is wrong, but that is for principles number 6 and 7  for a later date.  Let us pray.

"Lord, may we truly see what You have had written down for us and also discover what You intended us to know.  Thank You for the stability of Your Word.  Amen."

Pastor Adam



A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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