A Guide to Misleading Bible Quotes
Almost every misleading Bible quote is "taken out of context".
Almost every misleading Bible quote is "taken out of context".
The quote gives a misleading impression of what the Biblical author means to say,
The quote gives a misleading impression of what the Biblical author means to say,
by leaving out the context.
by leaving out the context.
Here is an example, a Bible verse often quoted alone, without the surrounding text.
Here is an example, a Bible verse often quoted alone, without the surrounding text.
"...not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
"...not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ,
but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9, AKJV)
the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9, AKJV)
It appears to say righteousness has nothing to do with a person's own actions—righteousness is a gift when someone has faith.
It appears to say righteousness has nothing to do with a person's own actions—righteousness is a gift when someone has faith.
But with even a little context, it becomes clear the writer believes his own actions are necessary to reach the goal.
But with even a little context, it becomes clear the writer believes his own actions are necessary to reach the goal.
The text actually says the opposite of what the quote, taken of out context, can be misread to say. The text describes tremendous efforts being taken to reach the goal.
The text actually says the opposite of what the quote, taken of out context, can be misread to say. The text describes tremendous efforts being taken to reach the goal.
"...that I may win Christ, and be found in him,
"...that I may win Christ, and be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ,
but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith:
the righteousness which is of God by faith:
that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings,
and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death;
being made conformable unto his death;
if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do],
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do],
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:8-14, AKJV)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:8-14, AKJV)
This ability to misread the Bible is not a mistake. The Bible actually warns, repeatedly, that it is designed to enable rebellious readers to misunderstand it.
This ability to misread the Bible is not a mistake. The Bible actually warns, repeatedly, that it is designed to enable rebellious readers to misunderstand it.
The longest and clearest warning comes from Jesus Christ.
The longest and clearest warning comes from Jesus Christ.
Christ taught in parables— illustrative stories that do not give an explicit teaching— so that many people would not understand (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10).
Christ taught in parables— illustrative stories that do not give an explicit teaching— so that many people would not understand (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10).
For additional examples, see the article "Why is the NT ambiguous, and pseudo-Christianity so common?"
For additional examples, see the article "Why is the NT ambiguous, and pseudo-Christianity so common?"
"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it is not given.
but to them it is not given.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance:
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance:
but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables:
Therefore speak I to them in parables:
because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith,
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;
and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;
for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;
lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart,
lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.
and should be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
For verily I say unto you,
For verily I say unto you,
That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see,
That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see,
and have not seen [them];
and have not seen [them];
and to hear [those things] which ye hear,
and to hear [those things] which ye hear,
and have not heard [them]." (Matthew 13:10-17, AKJV)
and have not heard [them]." (Matthew 13:10-17, AKJV)
The Bible communicates competitively—intentionally preventing understanding—as well as cooperatively.
The Bible communicates competitively—intentionally preventing understanding—as well as cooperatively.
AKJV: Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.