Why Don't We Understand the Bible Alike?

If the apostles were to step into a time machine and find themselves in modern-day America, they would be disgusted with the current state of religion. Imagine driving Peter, James, and John down Main Street only for them to see that there are six different churches in a two-block radius. They would be appalled; they would be genuinely confused as to why there are so many churches. They might even ask, “How did things get this way?” or “What led to all these denominations?” While there are many answers that could be offered, a starting point would be, not everyone understands the Bible the same.

Now, it is important to recognize, this is not what God wants. In fact, God wants all men to understand His Word. Was that not the point Paul was making when he said, “He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:3, 4)? The truth is, God wants everyone to understand His Word, but He also wants people to be unified in their understanding of Scripture. That’s why in 1 Corinthians 1:10 the Bible says, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” It’s no secret God wants people to understand and be unified in the teachings of His Word, but as unfortunate as it may be, that is not the case. So, why do we not understand the Bible alike with our family, friends, and neighbors? Let’s consider a few reasons why Scripture is often viewed differently.

First, people often do not understand the Bible alike because there is a lack of study or investigation of God’s Word. In Acts 17:11 the Bible says of the Bereans, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” The reason so many people have different perspectives on Scripture is because there are very few people who spend time in Scripture. If you are not willing to investigate God’s book, your interpretation of Scripture will be whatever the “pastor” says, or whatever someone else told you.

Second, people often do not understand the Bible alike because tradition is placed above authority. This was a problem for the Pharisees and Jesus was sure to call them out on it (Mark 7:6, 7). In the same way this can be a problem today. If it’s always been tradition for a church to have a baptism day, some eyes and ears might interpret the immediate conversion of Ethiopian eunuch differently (Acts 8:36).

Finally, people often do not understand the Bible alike because many do not want to hear the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). How often has someone said, “I don’t see it that way” or “I don’t agree with that interpretation” simply because they do not like what God’s Word has to say? The truth of the matter is people do this all the time just as they did back in the days of Jeremiah (Jer. 5:31).

There’s no debate many people have different interpretations of the Bible, and while that has been a major contributor to the division of the church, there’s something that can be done. As Christians we can help others come to a knowledge of the truth and see Scripture the way God would have them to view it.