Prove All Things.
Commentators and Commentaries.
1 Thes.5:21, "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good."
The above verse is particularly worthy of our notice. Because no man who writes a commentary is an infallible judge of the whole sense of Scripture, we need to examine closely not only their explaining of the meaning of certain passages and subjects, but also the proofs by which they support their interpretations.
Commentators must be loyal, devoted, upright, and serious to the Scriptures.
Readers should NOT be influenced by any popularity a writer may hold in the literary world, or any outward appearance of ingenuity, novelty, learning, or oratory skills.
Any authority a commentator appears to have, is merely human. Why? Because they are in fact witnesses, not judges.
One of the great errors most teachers of Scriptures are guilty of, is to read exclusively commentators of a particular school or denomination. Their Scriptural education or understanding comes for the most part from schools to which they are attached, or to opinions, teachers and thoughts they already have committed to. Because of this, many teach erroneous doctrines, and what they share should be received with suspicion.
Although they may teach in error, we are not to disregard them all together. Why? Because they sometimes may contain valuable and important hints for the explanation of a difficult passage of Scripture they have written on. That person may explain that a passage by a single example; and that example may qualify for giving a clearer view of a subject being discussed.
A commentator may be totally incorrect in one area of Scripture. But in other areas they may possess a more correct and complete understanding then most. They may excel and then share with us in areas such as Jewish history, geography, chronology, philosophy, etc. in areas where few others may qualify.
But for the most part, the best commentators and interpreters are to be read and studied. We have today so many commentators it would be impossible to read and study them all. This is not to mention the cost of purchasing the volumes that exist. Also, the confusion of one's mind could arise from examining so many opinions.
The Jews threw a great deal of light on the meaning of Hebrew words and usages as may be seen in the extracts from their writings that may be found in larger, more complete commentaries. Also the many late Greek scholars who were excellent in gathering the meaning attached to Greek words, especially in the many controversies that relate to the deity of Jesus Christ and the reality and efficacy of His atonement.
These commentaries that have past the test of time, and are in agreement with others, should lay a claim to our attention, and research. Concerning the modern day commentators, only the best should be selected. The authors must be proven to have the requisite critical skills needed. Commentators who have diligently investigated the literal sense and do not attempt to establish a mystical sense until the literal sense is clearly established. Also they must not copy word for word the comments of others.
They must help themselves to all the writings that are necessary for a complete understanding. Support their argument with a clear and compelling argument, and state it with such clarity as to convince both you and me.
So for the most part we are to be suspicious of all modern day commentaries that disagree with the established teachings that come to us from the past. We are to be reapers of those that have continued to sow the seeds of those who have sown and reaped before them, and so it goes.
From close examination we can tell if a writer has any more knowledge than we ourselves do, this in respect to particular passages. Where they offer conjectures, their writings ought to be subject to a very strict examination. If there reasoning is valid, we should study their works further: but if false, improbable, or inadequate, they should be rejected.
Many modern day commentaries have compiled their work from others. If they appear to be confused or perplexed, we should find the original source material and diligently consult these works.
The Bible is a large book; it is intended as a directory for our faith and the practice of it. It must be studied with patients and with prayer. Opinions widely differ in the many subjects offered. Yet many teachers today admire nothing but their own thoughts; hold all other human helps in contempt and other commentaries are despised or rejected altogether. Because their hope is based on the understanding of men, they desire that others to travel down the same path.
Some trust exclusively the expositions of a favorite commentator and receive as infallible whatever views or opinions that has been delivered. In this they limit themselves, cutting off all dialog with others, and become narrow minded in their views.
The safest way is to examine for ourselves the labors of the many wonderful commentators and expositors from yesteryear, this while we diligently investigate the Scriptures for ourselves. In this we take the middle road, not relying on our wisdom alone, or of being imprisoned in our minds by one person, or one organization.
Remember this. God's Holy Spirit is that intimate teacher. With prayer, dedication, and an unselfish heart for the truth, it will be revealed in due time.
Thank you,
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com