Difficult Bible Passages “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pt. 3:16).

“Some things hard” “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pt. 3:16).

“I Can’t Understand...” “in which are some things hard to be understood” w Not “impossible” to understand ! w Difference in “milk” and “meat” Heb 5:12-14 (some chewing needed!) w “By reason of use…exercised…discern” w Should not deter from Bible study

“the other scriptures” “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pt. 3:16).

It Is All God’s Word “… the other scriptures” w Paul’s writings on par with all Bible w 1 Cor. 14:37 w No validity to emphasizing “red letters” w No difference between Paul & Jesus w 2 Tim. 3:16-17 w Holy Spirit Brings Unity 1 Cor. 12:1-11 w All Scripture Harmonizes: Gen-Rev.

Some Abuse Scripture “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pt. 3:16).

The Torture Treatment “…which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” w “wrest” = “to twist, torture (from streble, a winch or instrument of torture…)” Vine’s Dict. w Jn. 8:43-45 Devil behind all error w Ex: Jn. 3:16 (add only) vs Ja. 2:17ff

God Intends To Be Understood wJn. 6:44-45; 8:32; 1 Cor. 2:16 w But the Bible is “mysterious” wEph. 3:4; 5:32; 1 Cor. 2:7 w A mystery revealed is a mystery no more w Col. 1:24-26 “now revealed” w Eph. 1:7-9 “having made known”

Process: “exegesis” wExegesis “explanation of the language and thought of a literary work; especially, Biblical exposition..” w Neh. 8:8 “And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.” w Draw from a passage only what God placed in it!

Speak…Be Silent wSome fail to abide by what scripture says 1 Sam. 15:22 (King Saul) wSome add their own thoughts Mt. 15:8-9 w Nu. 23:12 “Must I not take heed to speak that which Jehovah putteth in my mouth?” (Balaam, who failed to do it.) w Dt. 29:29 “Secret things belong to God” w “Spirit” of message will agree with it!

Difficult Bible Passages “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pt. 3:16).

“Know Truth..” “Be Set Free” wGod planned for you to hear gospel w Great Commission Mt. 28; Mk. 16 w It is still available today w Some attempt to“wrest” it w Is Mark 16:16 a mystery to you? w B + B = Salvation (Belief + Baptism=S w B = S + Baptism (denominational error) w Neh. 8:8 give sense, cause to understand