What is the purpose of interpretation, if the meaning is clear?

Question

In my two previous posts, I was accused of taking the meaning of scripture out of context, or was encouraged to "pray for understanding" of the discrepancies. I have been a student of the bible for over 30 years, and have undertaken "deep study", as one respondant suggested. The following are precepts that can be understood exactly as written:

LK 12:33, TI 6:8 Sell your possessions and give to charity. Be content with having only food and clothing. Many believers "interpret" this to apply only to those who are wealthy or have a problem with wealth. That this is not the case is clear from the context. It is also clear that the Disciples practiced this principle; see AC 2:44-45 and 4:32-35. This is in sharp contrast to the concept of abundance that many christians preach and to the personal wealth they often amass.)

LK 14:33 "... any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

MT 5:22 Do not get angry. Anger is a sin.

Answer 1

If the meaning is clear, it is so only through interpretation. Interpretation is the mental process that changes little black marks on a piece of paper into mental concepts. We cannot read something without interpreting it. That's what gives the text meaning. The problem with personal interpretation of the Bible is that different readers will, predictably, interpret things differently. And to each of them the meaning they glean from the text is perfectly "clear". But it isn't necessarily correct. That's the problem. And therein lies the fundamental weakness of Protestantism. Had Luther thought about it a moment he surely would have realized that hundreds of conflicting denominations were inevitable when everyone starts trying to be their own biblical authority.
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Answer 2

Interpretation is human and can be twisted and riddled with error.

Discernment of scripture is provided ONLY by the Holy Spirit, and does not come from human reasoning. Hebrews 5:11-14 says: You are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the "elementary truths" of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The above scripture is referring to those who have studied the Bible for years, or attended church for years. These people have intellectual knowledge of the Bible, but lack correct discernment of the scriptures. A sure sign that someone lacks spiritual discernment, is when they point out their different study aids and years of study, without mentioning the Holy Spirit. Anyone who can read, has the ability to accumulate religious book knowledge. :)

1 Corinthians 2:14 says: For the natural man is not able to take in the things of the Spirit of God: for they seem foolish to him, and he is not able to have knowledge of them, because such knowledge comes only through the Spirit. Go to God in prayer!

When you are taught by the Holy Spirit, you will quickly be able to discern those with only book knowledge and religion, as revealed by God, not of yourself. Blessings, Miji

Answer 3

Obviously, the meanning is not clear to some.