Our discussion this week got me thinking about proof texts. Verses like “Faith comes by hearing” that are quoted out of context to prove a point totally different from that of the original text.
Let’s consider that verse #10 in our Top Ten List of Common Proof Texts. Here come 9 more (quoted from the KJV, of course):
#9: Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store… and hold onto that money until Paul can take it to Jerusalem.
#8: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth… which obviously refers to distinguishing Old Testament from New, even if the New hadn’t been written yet.
#7: Not forsaking the assembly [which I can’t really quote since I can’t find those words in ANY version]
#6: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book… which refers to the whole Bible… oops, did I just add to the words of that verse?
#5: Now we know that God heareth not sinners… spoken by an uninspired man in a conversation with other uninspired men… but who’s counting?
#4: Abstain from all appearance of evil… not like that Jesus guy who was always hanging around with sinners and was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard.
#3: Let all things be done decently and in order… which means, of course, do everything the way it was done in the 1950s, not like that chaos Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 14.
#2: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross… referring to the Old Testament because, well, because we want it to and it will help us win arguments!
#1: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God… meaning that I can condemn anybody who doesn’t agree with me about some doctrinal point, whether it’s a teaching about Christ or not!
OK, that’s my Top Ten. What can you come up with?
#7: Not forsaking the assembly [which I can’t really quote since I can’t find those words in ANY version]
Heb:10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
I doubt a small misquote, is any worse than, quoting out of context. :)
Tim, I wish you would take the time to respond to Heb:10:25, as you said it is often quoted out of context.
Sure. By changing “assembling” to “assembly,” we took an encouragement to continue to gather with other Christians (any time, any place) and made it a command to be in a designated building “at the next appointed hour.” One is people-focused, one is event-focused. When we focus on the event, people feel they can slip in the back door, not talk to anyone, then sneak out again… without forsaking “the assembly”!
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
It is amazing how over the years our heritage we have taken texts like these and made them say what we want them to say to fit our wants and fears of being “like the others”. I am learning more and more as I grow in ministry on how getting it right is not what its all about. I appreciate men like yourself, Jay Guinn, Trey Morgan, and John Dobbs who help me bring things into perspective.
The journey continues……Trent
Thanks Trent. I pray that God blesses your ministry out in real West Texas (after all these years, I still can’t believe some people call Abilene “West Texas”).
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Here are three to use together (tongue firmly implanted in cheek) that demonstrate the follow of “proof-texting” and the importance of context. (Disclaimer, if you have thoughts of suicide DO NOT read the rest of this comment!)
Matt 27:5, ” . . . and he went out and hanged himself.”
Lk 10:37, “. . . You go and do likewise.”
Jn 13:27, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Context is important and concordance preaching dangerous.
Thanks Scott. I’ll try and remember not to string those together. :-)
Great post! Sometimes satire is the only means of seeing how silly we can be. What about Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 11:28-29; Acts20:7; John 7:24. So what can you do with these? My former legalistic self learned to be quite well “versed.”
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