2. The Moral Principle I. What is the moral principle of biblical interpretation? The moral principle of biblical interpretation is that principle of interpretation that assists the interpreter in extracting timeless truths from the passage under consideration and applying them to our contemporary world.

3. This principle is implied in several New Testament Scriptures: A. I Corinthians 10:5-11 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted…

4. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer…

5. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

6. B. John 21:24-25 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

7. C. Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

8. D. II Timothy 3:14-17 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus…

9. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

10. II. What is a moral truth or principle? A. The dictionaries define “moral” in several ways. 1. A lesson or principle contained in or taught by a fable, a story or an event. 2. A message conveyed or a lesson to be learned from a story or event.

11. 3. A concisely expressed precept or general truth; a maxim. 4. A moral is an ethical principle that is drawn from a story or incident. B. The dictionary defines “moralize” as to derive a moral from something, to make moral reflections concerning something or to explain something in a moral sense.

12. III. Why do we need to apply the moral principle to the Scripture? We need to apply the moral principle because not all of the timeless truths presented in the word of God are clearly outlined (Pro. 25:2).

13. Many things the Bible tells us are presented in clear statements of truth, concise instructions and unmistakable language. However, much of what is presented is cloaked in a certain amount of mystery and must be discovered from the application of the moral principle.

14. In many cases the truths extracted will be drawn from how they lived, reacted to circumstance in their lives and interacted with others. As the text states, “Behind each historical event in the Scripture lies a moral—a spiritual lesson—which is designed to teach” (Conner/Malmin, pg. 121).

15. IV. How is the moral principle of biblical interpretation applied? A. The moral principle can be applied to nearly every passage of the Bible. B. The moral principle can be overlaid on top of all of the other principles.

16. C. The moral principle can be flexible to the degree that more than one moral principle can be drawn from the same passage. D. The moral principle must never violate or come into conflict with the application of the other hermeneutical principles and clear biblical theology.

17. V. What is an example of the application of the moral principle of biblical interpretation? If you study the early life of David, you find some great lessons for leaders. Note the following chart that utilizes the moral principle to extract principles of leadership from the life of David.