Imagine a student walking into an algebra class on the first day. They open their book as the teacher is speaking, flip to the middle of the book, and read an equation.
The equation makes some sense to them, so they raise their hand and say, “You know, seeing as I understand this equation on page 118, I don’t think I need you to teach me, nor do I need this class, because I totally understand algebra.”
How ludicrous would that sound?
Even if they actually understand the equation on page 118, that doesn’t mean they understand everything about algebra. They need to know what a variable is, what an equation is, what the equal sign means, what operations are permitted, and the order of operations. There are principles taught earlier in the book that help them understand what they are reading on page 118.
The problem isn’t necessarily that what they know is wrong. They may understand that particular equation perfectly.
The problem is that they have taken limited knowledge and made unlimited assumptions.
And while that sounds outrageous to us, how many times do people do the exact same thing with the Bible?
Someone cherry-picks one Scripture, sometimes completely out of context, and from that limited knowledge begins making unlimited assumptions about what the Bible teaches.
They read one verse and say, “See, that’s all you need to know.” But is it?
We must know what the verses around it say? Why was this particular book written, who was being addressed, and what subject is the writer discussing? How does this interpretation fit with everything else Scripture teaches on the subject?
Let’s say you turn to John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. What a beautiful verse of the love of God. You may read this and totally get it. You may understand exactly what Jesus is saying. But understanding John 3:16 doesn’t mean you understand everything the Bible teaches about salvation. Reading this verse and understanding it, doesn’t dismiss all of the other verses. This was the same conversation, in the very same chapter, that Jesus told Nicodemus Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5 KJV). And He also said: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (John 3:21 KJV).
You see, God’s love doesn’t eliminate His instructions. Being loved by God doesn’t mean there is nothing He requires of us. We see this later in the book of John when Jesus said: If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15 KJV).
We can see that it is important to read all of scripture. We can see that it is important that we have those that teach us because he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV). Why do we need all of these? Paul answers that a few verses later that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine… (Ephesians 4:14 KJV).
We need teachers. We need to learn. We need to read the Word over and over and pray for understanding. And when we find a verse that we understand, we shouldn’t assume that means we know everything the Bible has to say about the subject. Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep studying.
The student who understands the equation on page 118 still needs the rest of the textbook, and we still need the rest of the Book. Don’t stop reading because you found a verse you understand. Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep studying.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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