Eric Bargerhuff: Misused Scripture

In today's Evangelical Church, there are many Bible verses that you'll hear cited often for inspiration, exhortation, and reproof; but are they being used properly? This month I'm joined by pastor Eric Bargerhuff, author of The Most Misused Verses in the Bible to discuss several of the most common verses heard today. We discuss the verses, how they are often used, and how the context determines they should be used.

Eric most recently served as senior pastor of Clearwater Community Church, in Clearwater, Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Divinity degree from Ashland University, as well as a Ph.D. in Biblical and Systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and a Fellow in the Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology.

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An Outline of the Discussion

We begin with Eric sharing his background with us. Eric shares the history of his ministry, and what led him to write a book on misused Bible verses.
Eric shares with us a basic understanding of proper hermeneutics (Biblical interpretation), and how to properly handle God's word. Primarily we want to seek to understand passages of Scripture in the same manner that the original audience would have understood it.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 – For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
- As the people of Judah were being led into captivity by the Babylonians, at the beginning of what would be a 70 year long ordeal, this promise was made by God to reassure the people that while they were in for some tough times, He had not forgotten them, and would be with them. This verse had a specific meaning, defined by God, for a specific group of people at a specific time.
- Too often Christians read this passage, define the promises themselves, and then hold God hostage to provide for them as they have defined.
- We can take comfort in this verse, knowing that God fulfilled His promise to the people was addressing, and that He will fulfill those promises that He has made that do apply to us today.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- The Philippian church was concerned about their needs being met. Paul, here, was teaching them to be content in whatever situation they were in, through the strength that the Lord provided for them.

Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.
- This verse is commonly used in prayer meetings and worship services, However, the context of the verse tells us that it is specifically addressing church discipline. The Lord, here, is promising that if discipline is handle in a manner consistent with His teaching, He will be there with those handling the discipline, and they will have His blessing.
- The overall context of this passage, dealing with church discipline, is another that is often misused. This happens in two different ways. First, church discipline is often neglected at the congregation level. Second, it is often wrongly applied to public discourse. When a popular teacher or pastor says or does something very publicly that is worthy of rebuke, many Christians expect those who do the rebuking to go through this process and start by approaching them privately. This is very different than a congregant engaging in sin and a church member bringing it to light. Public sin can and should be dealt with publicly (see 1 Corinthians 5).
Matthew 7:1 – Do not judge or you too will be judged.
- Jesus said this in the course of the Sermon on the Mount. It was given to rebuke hypocritical judgment. The Pharisees were engaging in the very same conduct that they judged others for. We have an obligation to address sin within the Church (and in general), but it must be done rightly.
- This verse is often used as a shield by those who engage in sinful behavior and do not want to face confrontation over it.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
- This is a promise that deals with spiritual growth, and ultimate good. Again, just as in the Jeremiah 29:11 passage, the good is defined by God, not by the Christian referring to this verse.
- This applies to the believer, never the unbeliever.
Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish
- This is a case where a verse is used with redefined terms. It is often cited the King James, and the words used have taken on a different understanding than they had when first translated into English over 400 years ago. Eric believes that a more precise translation of this verse reads “Without understanding, the people cast off restraint.”
- The “vision” or “understanding” referred to here is more properly understood as Divine revelation. It is not some kind of “corporate vision” or plan as we understand it in the 21st century.
- When a specific understanding of a passage requires one particular translation, generally speaking it's a good sign that the understanding being promoted is wrong.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- In this passage, the word “land” is often mistakenly considered to be metaphorical of a group of people inhabiting a specific geographic area. In reality, this was referring to the literal land itself. God would often bring judgment on the people of the Old Testament by cursing the land. This passage refers to those specific people, at that specific time, and refers to that specific, literal land.
- There are passages of scripture that should lead us to pray for spiritual revival, that we should ask God to grant our nation repentance, and that exhort us to pray for our leaders. However, this particular passage is not the best one to use in that regard.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
- The key word in this passage is “temptation.” It does not address trials and tribulations. There will always be a way out for us, and we will not be forced into sin.
- Elsewhere, scripture suggests that God will give us more trials and tribulations than we can handle, specifically to teach us to rely on Him, rather than ourselves.