"Understandest Thou What Thou Readest?"

by Micky Galloway

This was the question Philip asked the eunuch in Acts 8:30. The eunuch is described as an honorable man who had traveled far to worship God. He was a man who was interested enough in the revelation of God to read the Scriptures as he traveled. What a wonderful privilege to read from God's word. God desires that we read His word (Revelation 1:3; Deuteronomy 31:10-13). The apostle Paul also realized the value of reading the Word (I Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16). Yet, there is more misunderstanding of the Bible than any other subject.

There are great dangers that result from misunderstanding God's word. It would be a tragedy if the pharmacist misunderstood the doctor's prescription and gave you the wrong medication. It is a greater tragedy to misunderstand the instructions intended to save our souls. Jesus said, "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart..." (Matthew 13:19). The O.T. prophet Hosea said of Israel, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... And the people that doth not understand shall be overthrown" (Hosea 4:6,14). We are robbed of God's approval when we do not understand His message. Paul said, "Study to show thyself approved unto God..." (II Timothy 2:15).

God has made the scriptures understandable. It is a reflection upon the Almighty God to suggest otherwise. It reflects on His power if He would, but could not make it understandable. It reflects on His goodness if He could, but would not make it so. God commands us to understand His word (Ephesians 5:17). The apostle Paul said it was written, "whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:3-4). Some are heard to say, "You understand the Bible one way, and I understand it another way.” Such is impossible. If we understand it we will understand it alike, for God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33).

If we are to understand the Scriptures we must have faith in and reverence for the Bible as the holy, divine and infallible word of God. There is every reason to believe the Bible is inspired of God (II Peter 1:20ff; II Timothy 3:16ff). We must also have an honest and sincere desire to know and obey the truth. The Scriptures teach that we must have an honest heart (Luke 8:15). Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). This affirms that truth is knowable if I study with a determined effort to find and understand it. A desire for the truth must result in a search for it. In John 5:39 Jesus told the Jews, "Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me." The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to see if they were being taught the truth (Acts 17:11). The Word of God must be read, reflected upon and rightly divided in order to be understood.

The eunuch was an honest searcher. He was investigating the scriptures as he traveled. He had made preparation to study God's word. It was not by chance that he had the words of Isaiah with him in his chariot. He invited Philip to study with him in his effort to understand the Scriptures. To have the Scriptures to read is a wonderful privilege, but also a fearful responsibility. "He that hath ears to hear, let him, hear" (Matthew 11:15).