Distinguishing Between Biblical Truth and Personal Opinions
Distinguishing Between Biblical Truth and Personal Opinions
The Bible emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between divine truth and human opinions. In 1 Timothy 6:3, the apostle Paul warns against teachings that deviate from "the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "the teaching which is in agreement with true religion" [3]. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature of biblical truth and its relationship to personal opinions.
Biblical truth is rooted in the revelation of God, which is considered to be the ultimate source of truth. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, "The Scriptures are not merely the 'record' of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate preservation and propagation of the truth" [1]. This understanding underscores the idea that biblical truth is not a product of human interpretation or opinion, but rather a divine revelation that has been committed to writing.
In contrast, personal opinions are often driven by individual perspectives, experiences, and biases. The Bible warns against the dangers of self-will and stubbornness, which can lead individuals to reject divine truth in favor of their own opinions [4]. For instance, Ezekiel 13:3 criticizes false prophets who speak from "their own spirit" rather than being guided by the Spirit of God [5].
The distinction between biblical truth and personal opinions is also reflected in the way the Bible approaches the concept of truth. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, truth in the Bible denotes that which is opposed to falsehood, fidelity, or truthfulness [2]. In 2 Peter 1:20, the apostle Peter emphasizes that "no prophecy is found to be the result of private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation" [8]. This highlights the importance of understanding biblical truth within the context of divine revelation, rather than relying solely on individual interpretation.
The Bible also provides guidance on how to discern between truth and error. In Ezekiel 44:23, the priests are instructed to "teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane" and to "cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" [9]. This involves a deep understanding of biblical teachings and the ability to distinguish between divine truth and human opinions.
In Christian tradition, the distinction between biblical truth and personal opinions has been a subject of ongoing discussion. John Gill's commentary on Hebrews 10:24 highlights the importance of avoiding willful sin and adhering to the truth [7]. Similarly, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown's commentary on Romans 3:4 emphasizes the need to uphold God's truth, even in the face of human failure [6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Truth — Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5), "the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6).”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Will and Stubbornness — Forbidden -- 2Ch 30:8; Ps 75:5; 95:8. Proceed from Unbelief. -- 2Ki 17:14. Pride. -- Ne 9:16,29. An evil heart. -- Jer 7:24. God knows -- Isa 48:4. Exhibited in Refusing to hearken to God. -- Pr 1:24. Refusing to hearken to the messengers of God. -- 1Sa 8:19; Jer 44:16; Zec 7:11. Refusing to walk in the ways of God. -- Ne 9:17; Ps 78:10; Isa 42:24; Jer 6:16. Refusing to hearken to parents. -- De 21:18,19. Refusing to receive correction. -- De 21:18; Jer 5:3; 7:28. Rebelling against God. -- De 31:27; Ps 78:8. Resisting the Holy Spirit. -- ”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 13:3: foolish--though vaunting as though exclusively possessing "wisdom" (Co1 1:19-21); the fear of God being the only beginning of wisdom (Psa 111:10). their own spirit--instead of the Spirit of God. A threefold distinction lay between the false and the true prophets: (1) The source of their messages respectively; of the false, "their own hearts"; of the true, an object presented to the spiritual sense (named from the noblest of the senses, a seeing) by the Spirit of God as from without, not produced by their own natural powers of reflection. The word, t”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:4: God forbid--literally, "Let it not be," that is, "Away with such a thought"--a favorite expression of our apostle, when he would not only repudiate a supposed consequence of his doctrine, but express his abhorrence of it. "The Scriptures do not authorize such a use of God's name as must have been common among the English translators of the Bible" [HODGE]. yea, let God be--held true, and every man a liar--that is, even though it should follow from this that every man is a liar. when thou art judged--so in Psa 51:4, according to the Septuagint; but ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:24: For if we sin wilfully,.... Which is not to be understood of a single act of sin, but rather of a course of sinning; nor of sins of infirmity through temptation, or even of grosser acts of sin, but of voluntary ones; and not of all voluntary ones, or in which the will is engaged and concerned, but of such which are done on set purpose, resolutely and obstinately; and not of immoral practices, but of corrupt principles, and acting according to them; it intends a total apostasy from the truth, against light and evidence, joined with obstinacy. After that we have rec”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:20: "Forasmuch as ye know this" (Pe1 1:18). first--the foremost consideration in studying the word of prophecy. Laying it down as a first principle never to be lost sight of. is--Greek, not the simple verb, to be, but to begin to be, "proves to be," "becometh." No prophecy is found to be the result of "private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation" (solution), and so origination. The Greek noun epilusis, does not mean in itself origination; but that which the sacred writer could not always fully interpret, though being the speaker o”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:23: And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane,.... Persons and things; not in a ceremonial, nor merely in a moral, but in an evangelical sense, between truth and error; between the doctrine which is according to godliness, and that which is corrupt and unsound, and eats as cloth a canker; between holy worship, and superstition; between holy duties, and profane and Heathen rites and ceremonies; and between persons sanctified by the Spirit and grace of God, and unconverted ones: and cause them to discern between the unclean and the c”