 |  |
(d)
Seek some addition in a parallel passage such as a qualifying adjective.
(e)
Look for a verbal form to explain a noun and vice versa.
(f)
Look for parallel passages which use a synonym.
(g)
Look for parallel passages that give any added information.
There will be no need to illustrate (a) since it is self evident, and we have alluded to it
earlier when speaking of Paul's usage of the word `prize' in I Cor. 9:, deciding the
meaning intended by the same writer in Phil. 3: When putting into practice (b), one
should be careful to use `real' and not `superficial' parallels. Paul's readers numbered
among them Gentiles who had had no previous knowledge of God, or His law, and
consequently care would have to be exercised in comparing passages from his epistles
with either the O.T. or in the writings addressed to the circumcision. For example the
word `Gospel' as found in the phrase `the gospel of the Kingdom' or `the everlasting
gospel' would have very different connotations from the same word found in the phrase
used by Paul `my gospel'.
It is obvious that obscure passages (c) should always be read in the light of parallels
that are clear and simple, and never in the inverse order. The plain statements of the
Scripture concerning the state of the dead must be used as guides in interpreting the Rich
Man and Lazarus, but many seem to work in the opposite direction and use an allegorical
form of teaching to override the plain utterances of other Scriptures.
The value of rule (e) can be illustrated by the use of the words translated `perfection',
`make perfect', and `perfect', in the epistle to the Hebrews.
We read that Christ was `made perfect' (Heb. 5: 9), but other Scriptures that speak of
His holiness forbid the idea that He was thereby `improved'. We observe that the verb
thus translated is teleioo, and find that the noun form teleios occurs in Heb. 5: 14, where
it is translated `full age' and is contrasted with `babes' (Rule 4 section (c) above), and
used elsewhere by the same writer (Rule 4 section (a) above) in similar connections, as
for example Eph. 4: 13 and 14. By pursuing this method and observing the usage of
both noun and verbal forms a fairly clear conception of the meaning intended by the
Apostle when he speaks of `being made perfect' will be obtained.
In like manner, the use of synonymous words in parallel passages (f) is of great help.
For example Paul explains what he means by `the dying' of the Lord Jesus, in
II Cor. 4: 10 by being "delivered unto death for Jesus' sake" in II Cor. 4: 11. In like
manner the obscure reference to baptism being for the dead if the dead rise not in
I Cor. 15: 29, is explained by the Apostle in verses 31 and 32:
"I die daily", "I have fought with beasts", "What advantageth it me if the dead rise
not".
The value of (g) parallel passages that give further information is obvious. Those who
deny that Gen. 1: 2 refers to a chaos resulting from judgment, ignore or belittle this
parallel use of words in Jer. 4: 23-26, and in Isa. 34: 11.