Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 10
September 25, 1958
NUMBER 21, PAGE 11

Hang It Straight

Marshall E. Patton, Orlando, Florida

Somewhere I read the following story: A New York business man had a beautiful etching of the Leaning Tower of Pisa hanging on the wall in his Office. He noticed that no matter how often he straightened the picture, it would be hanging crooked the following morning. Finally, he asked the maid if she could explain this mysterious shifting of positions. "Why, yes," she replied, "I have to hang it crooked to make the tower hang in a straight position," What this maid was doing to the picture, many are doing to the Scriptures. We should learn that the Scriptures need no readjusting. They were written under divine influence and are just as God wanted them.

Peter says concerning the scriptures of Paul that some "wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Pet. 3:16.) To the Galatians Paul said "some trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (Gal. 1:7.) Paul warned the elders at Ephesus, "of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:30.) It is possible to wrest the scriptures! The word "wrest" means "to turn or twist from the original order or meaning; to distort or pervert." It is making a verse appear to teach something that it does not actually teach.

Some teach that "faith" in Rom. 5:1 means "faith only." However, the context shows otherwise. The verse is introduced by the term "therefore" which means that it is a conclusion based upon preceding thoughts. Hence, it is the same as Abrahamic faith discussed in the preceding chapter. Abraham's faith was "counted unto him for righteousness" (justified) (When he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar." Thus, his "faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:" (Rom. 4:3; Jas. 2:21-23.) Abraham's faith was a working faith and justified when he obeyed — not before! This is the faith of Rom. 5:1. Let's hang the picture straight!

In an effort to justify Sectarianism some teach that the "branches" of John 15:5 means churches. However, the following facts show this to be a "wresting" of the scriptures: (1) Jesus was not speaking to denominations, but to individuals when he said "ye are the branches." (2) These individuals were to abide not in branches, but in the true vine which is Christ. (3) The next verse uses the term "man" to identify the branches. The "ye", "branches", and "man" of John 15:5,6 refer to individuals — not churches. Remember, those who wrest the scriptures do so unto their own destruction.

Some fail to recognize divine limitations and in a desperate effort to justify turning the church into a general welfare society obligated to minister to the needy of the whole world frequently use Jas. 1:27 and Gal. 6:10 to prove their point. However, the truth of the matter is that these passages apply to individuals and not to churches.

The context of James 1:27 demands that it be applied to individuals. Verses 23 through 26 use the pronouns "he," "his," "himself," and the term "man" several times to identify those under consideration. Then verse 27reads: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this; To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." For one to say that "he," "his", "himself", and "man" means churches is as gross a sin as saying "ye", "branches", and "man" in John 15 means churches. Brethren, keep the picture hanging straight!

The context of Gal. 6:10 likewise demands that application be made to individuals and not to churches. The same pronouns mentioned above appear consistently throughout the first nine verses of this chapter and the term "man" is used five times. All of this establishes beyond doubt that individuals are under consideration — not churches. Hence, it follows that verse ten is an exhortation to individuals — not churches. To apply it otherwise is to hang the picture crooked.

Some have argued so as to imply that verse 6 of this chapter teaches church support of preachers. It does not! It only authorizes individual support. Were it not for other verses in the Bible authorizing church support of preachers, it would be wrong. The Bible teaches both individual and church support. Let's "handle aright the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15) Hang it straight, Brethren!