The common sense Golden Rule of Interpretation

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” –Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965),
founder of The Biblical Research Society

This has often been shortened to “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, lest it result in nonsense.”

Please don’t fall for the trap of using human reasoning to twist the meaning of a phrase into something you want it to mean. I have heard the most outlandish doctrines developed out of the interpretation of a particular phraseology of partial verses in a certain translation. Why?! How can that possibly be what God wanted us to learn from his written word?

Trust but verify

I was raised in a extremely legalistic, extremely dispensational, extremely fundamental, extremely separatist, extremely cult-like church. Every man carried the exact same edition of the Wide Margin Scofield® Study Bible, Authorized King James Bible Version. The preacher usually called out the page number of each passage he quoted. We took copious notes in the margin. Our doctrine was composed of man’s opinion about King James English words and phrases pulled out of context from various passages throughout the Bible. Those margin notes became the only Bible we read. I thank God that I was eventually delivered from that cult, but it took a long time to unlearn the damage. That’s probably why my posts are too long and I still quote too much scripture because I don’t want you or me to fall into that trap again.

Let me suggest a very sound Biblical way to avoid that trap. Establish every matter in the mouth of two or three witnesses. If we trust God to fulfil his word, he will follow his own teaching. Therefore, everything that we need to know and obey will be given in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses.

  • On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness (Deuteronomy 17:6)
  • A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. … The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15)
  • Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses (Hebrews 10:28)
  • But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ (Matthew 18:16)
  • Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1)
  • Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19)

If you are questioning some doctrine, and you can only find it in one verse in one translation, then it’s probably a mistake. If your church is making that particular doctrine a test for fellowship, then leave quickly and quietly, run, don’t walk. There are so many good Bible-believing churches that you don’t have to stay in a dead one.

Let God speak

Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.  I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;  knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure. (2 peter 1:12-15 WEB)

We were Eyewitnesses

(Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36)

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,  but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18 WEB)

We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: knowing this first,  that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation [1955 epílysis]. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved [5342 phérō] by the Holy Spirit.  (2 Peter 1:19-21 WEB)

1955 epílysis (from 1909 /epí, “on, fitting” and 3089 /lýō, “to loose”)
properly, unloosing (unpacking) in an apt (appropriate) manner, i.e. that builds on sound hermeneutical principles (note the epi, “upon”).

1955 /epílysis (“sound interpretation”) only occurs in 2 Pet 1:20 and refers to “untying interpretation knots” to discern the true meaning of future Bible prophecy.

[1956 (epilýō) is used throughout antiquity of solving problems, i.e. “getting to the bottom of things,” “unraveling” the issue (see DNTT, 1, 156).]

5342 phérō to bear, carry, bring forth
properly, to bear, carry (bring) along, especially temporarily or to a definite (prescribed) conclusion (defined by the individual context). See also 5409 /phoréō (“habitual bearing”).

(1 Pet 1:13) being brought (5342 /phérō) – 1 Pet 1:13 commands us to “completely (5049 /teleíōs) hope on the grace now being brought (present, passive participle of 5342 /phérō) in (en) revelation (no article) of Jesus Christ.”

The following is a fuller expanded rendering of the Greek text, “Wherefore [in view of the meaning of salvation that extends to glorification, 1 Pet 1:9] having girded up the loins of your mind, being radically-moderate, completely hope on the grace being carried along (5342 /phérō) to you, in revelation, concerning Jesus Christ.”

For deeper study: