This is a series that I study together with our Wednesday evening Intercessors group. It delves into difficult passages that the group suggests which present problems for interpretation. Most of the texts were suggested by the group. Occasionally, I will choose a passage which illustrates an issue raised in a question from the group.
Difficult Passages Series — Mark 2:26
1. Why is this passage listed among difficult passages? The passage is difficult because the name of the priest who gave David the bread as recorded in 1 Sam. 21:1-6 is Ahimelech, who is listed there as Abiathar’s father. 2. How do we deal with the difficulties in this passage? First in cases like this...
Difficult Passages Series — 1 John 3:6,9 for Feb. 10, 2010
1. Why is this passage listed among difficult passages? These passages have been considered difficult because of the absolute language of the traditional translation. “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (v. 6 KJV) “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed...
Difficult Passages Series — 1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10; 19:9 for Jan 27 2010
1. Why is this passage listed among difficult passages? We find it very hard to understand how there can be an “evil spirit from the LORD,” a phrase which occurs in all three of these passages. It is used twice more in chapter 16 in describing that incident. Besides 1 Samuel, the only other time it is...
Difficult Passages Series — Mark 14:61,62 Jan. 20, 2010
1. Why is this passage listed among difficult passages? The passage has raised questions of text as Luke for example records the words as “Yes, it is as you say” (Lk 22:70). There is also the question of what the saying about seeing him coming in the clouds means. 2. How do we deal with...
Difficult Passages Series — Mark 13:30 and Mt. 24:34 for Jan. 13, 2010
1. Why is this passage listed among difficult passages? This saying about “this generation” is among the difficult passages because it seems in context, especially in Mark, to refer to Jesus’ second coming. 2. How do we deal with the difficulties in this passage? Some have attempted to solve this dilemma by making “generation” mean...
Difficult Passages Series — John 6:53,54 for Jan 6, 2010
1. Why is this passage listed among difficult passages? Jesus says these words so bluntly that people have always tried to take them literally. Roman Catholic tradition has so interpreted them and coupled them with their doctrine of transubstantiation and then applied them to receiving the elements of the Eucharist. This view is aided...