Ephesians 3:4

“whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ”

“Whereby”: “By reading what. have written” (TCNT). “And by referring to this” (NASV). “Looking to which” (Robertson p. 530). “When ye read”: When ye read the Scriptures (including what Paul wrote and what he had just penned in this letter), for that is where the mystery of Christ is recorded for all time (2 Peter 3:15). Coffman points out, “The more radical critics have screamed themselves hoarse about such an interpretation; but it is logical, in keeping with other significant passages in the N.T.” (p. 167).

Reading the Scriptures is one thing that stands between me and eternal life, hence I'd better learn how to read. Learn to love to read the Bible, that is, develop. love for the truth (Proverbs 23:23). Admit your own ignorance and be willing to learn (Proverbs 9:8; James 1:21). God's plan is that He would reveal His truth to. select few (Ephesians 3:5), and then have those men write it down for all to read.. corrupted Bible would mean that we are all lost. Hence we must abandon such. ridiculous idea (1 Peter 1:23). Knowledge about God and His truth only comes through this medium. All other methods of discovering God's truth are vain, such as feelings, emotions, human opinion, and unaided human wisdom. The promise of "inspiration" never applied to everyone (John 14:26; John 16:13). One can "believe" in God by reading the Bible, no other "evidences" are necessary (John 20:30). Everyone has access to the same truth since all can read and all can read the same exact message. Since the message doesn't change (1 Peter 1:23), misinterpretation of the message is always man's fault (2 Peter 3:16). Christianity is. "taught" religion and one cannot be saved unless one is willing to listen (John 6:44; Mark 16:15). Therefore, the "attitude" in which one listens to the preaching or reading of the gospel is essential (James 1:21). Some people read the Bible often and yet never understand the truth (2 Timothy 3:7). The word "read" also suggests that Paul conceived of this letter being "read" in public (1 Timothy 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). “As Paul's readers read the first two Chapter s and continued on with this present chapter, they would understand the plan which had been so long secret. What is more, they would understand Paul's own perception of the plan” (Boles p. 244).

”Ye can perceive”: Comprehend and understand. “You will be able to judge how far. understand this hidden purpose of God” (TCNT). “My understanding in the mystery of Christ”: This means that no truth has been lost in the revelation process. We can understand the gospel as well as Paul did. Paul did not invent the gospel message and neither did it arise from his own intellect. We can have the exact same insight into the gospel that Paul had because both we and Paul depend upon the same precise information for understanding God's will, that is, God's revelation. God's word came to Paul in direct form. It comes to us in written form, but it is the same word of God. "Concept Inspiration", the idea that God revealed "concepts" to the Apostles but allowed them to express those concepts using the words and language of their own choosing, makes the Bible into nothing more than "uninspired" commentary, or "human wisdom" trying to explain Divine truth. Paul is very clear: God revealed the truth to him, he wrote it down, now when people read what he wrote they can understand it just like he did.

Exact or precise understanding of the writings of the apostles is possible. In fact, it is not only possible it is commanded (Ephesians 5:17). Hence "interpretation" is not as complicated and hopeless as some people make it out to be. Correct understanding (interpretation) involves proper attitudes (Matthew 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; James 1:21) and some diligent effort (2 Timothy 2:15). In addition, properly understanding the Bible also involves understanding some basic principles: God is God and we are not, He speaks we listen. Jesus has the final word in all religious matters (Matthew 28:18). His word takes precedence over any and every human authority that could be cited. The Bible is verbally inspired, God chose the exact words. Hence, respecting the place, meaning, and position of every word is mandatory (1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 3:16). The Scriptures give us every truth that we need to effectively serve God (2 Timothy 2:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Judges 1:3). Adding to or subtracting from the Scriptures is soundly condemned (Proverbs 30:6; 2 John 1:9; Revelation 22:18) God is right, even when every human authority argues to the contrary (Romans 3:4). The New Testament is the standard all will be judged by (John 12:48). Time and culture do not change the truths found in the gospel (Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9).