If we both read the same bible verse, but feel it means two different things, WHO says which of us is correct?

Question

I've heard people say "the bible tells us", but the bible doesn't have a mouth. It doesn't have vocal cords. It CAN'T talk.

People read scripture and come up with different interpretations all the time. This is fact. Words are not numbers. They convey different meanings to different people.

The bible has been translated many times. Where on Earth can you go and find a definitive authority to ask, "what EXACTLY does this passage mean?" and receive a straight, incontrovertible answer? Someone, somewhere will always disagree.

The US Constitution is a thousand times clearer than the bible, and we still need a massive legal institution to interpret the laws. What authority tells average human beings what the scriptures mean? (and please spare me the "voice of god" tells us. I'm looking for a real, logical answer.)

Answer 1

you are both correct, I have gotten different meanings out of the same scripture, depending on my personal situation, I have received different insights into the same scripture, it is not that one insight is wrong and the other is right, but both and sometimes all 5 insights are right.
if you really want to get confused, try reading in an amplified Bible, it give different meanings that are possible from the root Greek word. for instance the Greek word Exousia is translated power in the KJV, but the truer translation of this word is authority.
also what you receive from the text, depends on whether you read the complete text, or just the single verse, for this reason a lot of scriptures are taken out of context. which people do to prove a point that they are trying to make, but is not really what the Bible is trying to comunicate.

Answer 2

Before you read, you should ask God to help you understand what you are reading. You'll be surprised and you'll know why they call it the "Living" Word. It changes everyday. I can't say I know it all but the Bible is the oldest book known to man and has sold more copies than any other. It's historical accuracy Has been proven over and over again. "Here is what the Lord says" is found over 2000 times in the Old Testament. Look at what has been prophesied and what has come true just about Jesus. Is 7:14; Jer 23:5; Micah 5:2; Is 35:4-6; Is 53:12; Zech 12:10. Real and logical may not be where the answer lies my friend.

Answer 3

Like any text, if it makes an assertion or observation about the world that actually squares with objective reality, then, after rechecking the assertion in light of the observation, if it really does have a verifiable link with reality, I will be satisfied that the text is legitimate. If otherwise, I'll know.
As for the bible, if myself and another person reach different conclusions about the same verse, I'll go into cross-examine mode and find out if how they've arrived at their interpretation is based on logical, rational, and knowledgeable understanding of what they're reading. The ultimate goal for me would be reaching agreement, no matter how long it took.

Answer 4

Heb 4: 12 For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart. 13 And there is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.

The bible is written to discover what is in your heart.

If you read it with the idea of proving your own beliefs,

It is easy to do.

The trick is to read it so as to learn.

Most believe that there is a Bible language, be it the original Greek, or the translated English.

This has lead people to ignore what the bible actually is saying.

If you look at all the verses about a subject, the bible will interpret itself.

'This is my Son, the beloved' needs no interpretation.

"I am God's Son" needs no interpretation.

Yet many ignore these simple statements and strive to say that God and Jesus didn't mean what they said.

In Bible English, Son doesn't mean son, begotten doesn't mean begotten, Firstborn doesn't mean firstborn.

This has lead to many rejecting simple truths for the philosophies of men.

Answer 5

If u give someone a message to give another person, but they give another person the message to pass on to the person u sent it to, most likely the message u sent will be lost. This is what happened with the bible after being translated in 4 languges before English.

The only thing to determine which is the truth is the script in its original language with the meaning of every word broken down.

Stick to the facts of those words without being bias because of personal feelings. Opinions and beliefs are the main sources for the confusion.

Answer 6

This has made the rounds here several times. The flaw in all this is that homosexuality was established as a sin long before that old covenant came into being, and was reiterated as a sin after the old covenant ended. The old covenant was a codification of law for the nation of Israel, and addressed Israelites and those foreigners who happened to live among them. All societies have laws, and all societies have laws against murder, for example. Just because that legal code of law passed away, being a covenant law, does not mean murder is now justifiable before God. There is still a law of conscience and a spiritual law of God's that underlies all. Homosexuality violates this spiritual law. It is a lifestyle and behaviour at odds with the will of God and His order of creation as humanity goes. .

Answer 7

The word you are searching for is doctrine. It means learning or instruction, and it comes by way of hearing from the living word.

Let me give you an example of how the word of God is alive.

Proverbs 5;10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The word of God will speak to your heart. It won't contradict itself and it won't contradict the revelation that any individual receives from it from that of another.

But until a person believes first in God and then second is born again of his spirit and has put his trust in Jesus Christ the word will only convict the reader of his unbelief.

Answer 8

Honestly - it depends on what religion you are.

In Judaism and Catholacism there are fall back verses which explain who is the final authority. For Catholics it is the heir to Peter (ie. the Pope) for Jews it is the sages, called Chazal.

For Protestants, they would either have to argue the point till someone agrees to the other position, or disagree forever and come up with their own church or faction.

Answer 9

The answer is that people decide for themselves. If the bible was not subject to interpretation there would be one, and only one, Christian church. Instead there are many sects with many different interpretations of exactly what the words mean. Each is convinced that they are right and all of the others 'misunderstood' or are simply 'cults'.

People alter the 'word of God' to suit what they want it to mean.

Answer 10

Hello it helps to read the verses around that verse so as not to take it out of context and ask The Holy Spirit who is the one inspiring it to guide you and there is a free set of bible lessons on line www.amazingfacts.org and i will answer a question or direct you to someone [e-mail] God bless you