Most difficult passage in the Bible?

[Piper]

In your opinion, what is the most difficult to interpret or understand in the Bible?
As a young Christion, I really struggled with Hebrews 6:1-6, on whether someone could lose their salvation.

In my middle years, Romans 9 and whether it taught individual election.

In my last few years, I have wrestled with and fought with 1 John 2:2.
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

After reading John Owen, I have come to a place where I agree with his view. But I still wrestle with it.

Anyway, what is yours?

 

[JonC]

John 11:35 is difficult for me to fully appreciate (the interpretation isn't difficult).

 

[Piper]

John 11:35 is difficult for me to fully appreciate (the interpretation isn't difficult).

I can see that.

I have heard probably 6 sermons on that passage, and most of them interpret it differently.

 

[37818]

I received Christ at 14 in the summer of 1962. I was lead to Christ at Faith Baptist Church of Canoga Park. Knowing for sure was to me, the neatest thing to know.

As a new Christian my biggest fear was misinterperting the Bible.

My first study Bible was The Scofield Reference Bible the 1917 edition.

As a simple rule. I would believe what I thought I understood.

 

[Deacon]

Only one???

1 Corinthians 10:11 …because of the angels

Genesis 6:1-4 Nephelim

Hebrews 6:4-6 …tasted the heavenly gift…

Rob

 

[Deacon]

As a new Christian my biggest fear was misinterperting the Bible.

Fortunately we are not judged for our misinterpretations.

Rob

 

[MrW]

In your opinion, what is the most difficult to interpret or understand in the Bible?
As a young Christion, I really struggled with Hebrews 6:1-6, on whether someone could lose their salvation.

In my middle years, Romans 9 and whether it taught individual election.

In my last few years, I have wrestled with and fought with 1 John 2:2.
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

After reading John Owen, I have come to a place where I agree with his view. But I still wrestle with it.

Anyway, what is yours?

Job.

 

[taisto]

Fortunately we are not judged for our misinterpretations.

Rob

This is off-topic, but do we really know this to be true? I ask this specifically thinking of pastors who are held responsible for the sheep.
I am not so sure your statement is entirely true, though I recognize the sentiment you are trying to convey.

 

[taisto]

In your opinion, what is the most difficult to interpret or understand in the Bible?
As a young Christion, I really struggled with Hebrews 6:1-6, on whether someone could lose their salvation.

In my middle years, Romans 9 and whether it taught individual election.

In my last few years, I have wrestled with and fought with 1 John 2:2.
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

After reading John Owen, I have come to a place where I agree with his view. But I still wrestle with it.

Anyway, what is yours?

Your path is similar to mine as all three of those verses were verses I had to work through.
I am not sure what verse jumps out as difficult. Certainly it takes a lot of work to follow Paul's arguments, which is why Peter comments on Paul's writings.
Probably Revelation is hardest because John writes in a genre that is hard to understand with all his symbolism and thus there are many ideas as to what John meant.

 

[Marooncat79]

I Corinthians 15:29

 

[37818]

This

What is the this? Explain.

 

[37818]

Was then. But the now?
Some of the answers are easy. But all have answers.

 

[taisto]

What is the this? Explain.

Go back to post #8 and see the quote of what deacon wrote. Then note that "this" is what I was pointing at.

 

[37818]

Go back to post #8 and see the quote of what deacon wrote. Then note that "this" is what I was pointing at.

This is off-topic, . . .

You explaained not a thing. What was the "This" that was off topic and why?

 

[kyredneck]

1 Corinthians 10:11 …because of the angels

What angels?

 

[37818]

For me as a new Christian, age 14, the first MOST difficult passage in the Bible was Genesis chapter 1. Genesis 1:16.

 

[Marooncat79]

I knew evolution was a lie even as a nonbeliever

 

[37818]

I knew evolution was a lie even as a nonbeliever

Two things. Biology is not the same as geology or astronomy. Also change over time is a fact.

 

[Marooncat79]

Not as the evolutionary framework promulgates

btw

the geologic column etc does not exist

even at the Grand Canyon

 

[MrW]

I Corinthians 15:29

29 ¶ Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

That one I know the answer to. Paul was making a point that heathen religions also baptized, and some of them baptized for the dead. Now if those heathens believe in a resurrection, then why don’t we?

He was not approving nor advocating baptizing for the dead; he was saying that those people did that because they believed in a resurrection. It was an example, reinforcing the Christian truth of resurrection, not baptism for the dead.