But What Does it Say (Part 1)

Romans 10:8

Introduction

The phrase here is interesting to think about. Paul is asking this somewhat rhetorically but the implication of the text is not a given to his audience.

In other words, the meaning has not been SO obvious that EVERYONE understands the point Paul is making. In face, I dare say a great many still don’t understand the point Paul is making.

Yet, he gives the scripture by way of proving his point.

We want to know “what it says.” But often, getting at what it says is more complex than simple reading a verse and saying “it means what it says and says what it means.”

What Paul is doing is taking the surface reading, and digging deeper to show more meaning than they had yet seen.

As we strive to do the same thing today, there are many errors that we can fall into that we need to take care in avoiding.

A Case Not an Equation

Satan made a case based on surface interpretation (Matt. 4:6; Psa. 91:11-12).

We crave simplicity and precision (Matt. 19:16-21).

Think of the “five steps” of salvation.

We ought to assume there will be more to discover as long as we live.

The Hebrew writer builds a very complex case (Heb. 8:1).

We are so focussed on precision and efficiency that if this weren’t scripture we might say, “then why didn’t you just say that in the first place.”

When I preach a lesson on the Angel of the Lord, I am not make THE definitive case for who Jesus is. I am adding one more piece to a vast mountain of evidence.

When I preach about the connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament, I am not giving you THE definitive case for believing in scripture.

Too often we want the silver bullet for apologetics, for salvation, for any particular question. So we have one of those old blue cards that tells you THE definitive verse to use for that subject.

A verse is a piece of evidence but it is never all of the evidence (Psa. 22:9-10; 51:5).

This is like when spouses say, “you always…”

The proper response isn’t to go literal and say well…not ALWAYS.

I can prove some things without proving everything (2 Tim. 3:7; 1 Tim. 6:3-5).

Consider the Pharisees lack of contentment with what God had given them in various commandments.

But then also consider the Corinthians who were so uncommitted in their convictions that they harbored sexual perversion and ate in the temples of idols and seemed to even have doubts about the resurrection.

Words Mean Things

Don’t assume total precision.

Greek is not the most precise language in human history.

Sometimes there is helpful precision (Eph. 2:8; Jn. 8:58).

But often we are left with LESS precision from the original language (Gal. 1:4; 1:5; Heb. 1:2).

Most often, it is a similar level of precision or imprecision (1 Jn. 2:15).

Lexicons don’t hold all the answers and are sometimes as influenced as anyone by theological commitments.

Be careful of word roots

They are helpful in adding something (1 Cor. 1:23).

Over reliance can cause serious problems (Psa 51:1-2).

Some may be completely disconnected like “tank”

Don’t apply modern ideas to ancient words.

Sometimes this is just silly (Rom. 1:16).

Sometimes it is irreverent (Rom. 8:15).

Sometimes it leads to complete false doctrine (Matt. 19:9).

Conclusion