content_settled

Content May Have Settled During Shipment

by Randall D. Kittle

Have you ever opened a bag of chips or a box of cereal only to be surprised and disappointed that the content was only 50-60% full? It seems more than just a little deceptive. But of course, we don’t really have any recourse for this practice, because the companies normally put a little disclaimer on the box or bag stating, “Contents May Have Settled During Shipment.” That one little phrase explains what has happened, and settles any disagreement with them we may have.

I want to share with you a similar but even more important phrase: “Context Will Settle Confusion During Reading.” Have you ever read a phrase in the Bible that you found strange or confusing? Well, to understand any phrase while reading, it is always best to read the whole sentence. To comprehend any sentence, it’s usually best to read the entire paragraph. And to truly understand any paragraph in a book, it generally helps to read the whole book.

While this is true for reading any book, it is even more important when we read God’s book — the Bible. Many false doctrines and warped teachings have arisen because people have taken a phrase from the Bible out of context. To truly understand any Scripture properly, always view it in light of context.

Ask yourself:
• What does the entire sentence have to say?
• What is this paragraph referring to?
• What does this book of the Bible say about this subject?
• What does the Bible generally have to say about this issue?

Let me assure you: Context Will Settle Confusion During Reading!