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NASB | Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. |
Subject: denominations. |
Bible Note: Ed, I believe I know what you're asking, but if this response is way off target, please let me know. ..... Interpretation is of two kinds. One is objective ("good") interpretation, which is synonymous with exegesis, in which ages-old principles of interpretation are carefully observed, such as, for example, context, semantics, historical and cultural settings, and synthesis -- the combining of Scripture segments to form a cohert whole, i.e., allowing Scripture to be its own interpreter by comparing Scripture with Scripture. In exegesis all possible meanings are carefully weighed and evaluated with the aid of and in the light of these established principles. The other is subjective ("bad") interpretation, which is synonymous with eisegesis. This is a personal interpretation of the text using one's own ideas and not infrequently imposing one's preconceived ideas on the text in an effort to force the text to say what it does not say, while ignoring the standard conventions and exacting methods set down by exegesis. Some examples, although extreme, of the possible blunders of subjective interpretation would be to teach that God commands all believers to build arks, as He did Noah; or that all who come to Christ will be struck blind for three days and commanded to go to Damascus, as Paul was. These examples, albeit absurd, are only slightly more absurd than some of the things that are being passed off as biblical truth in some churches in our time. Ed, I believe that it has always been of utmost importance, and is no less important still, to follow the command of 2 Timothy 2:15 to be diligent to divide rightly the word of truth. And yes, I see it as self-evident in today's conflicting teachings in the splintered church that a great deal of personal (subjective, bad) interpretation has most definitely led to doctrine, and false doctrine at that. Examples are not hard to find. --Hank |