Is the Bible a Book to Be Understood?

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By every historical measure, the Bible is among the oldest and most widely distributed texts ever written. Yet despite its age, the Bible remains unparalleled in relevance and clarity. It addresses life’s deepest questions and continues to guide millions who seek wisdom, morality, and eternal hope. The Bible is not a mystical or cryptic book intended only for religious elites; rather, it is a revelation from God to mankind, written to be understood by sincere readers of every age and culture.

The Bible’s Ancient Origins and Enduring Authority

The writing of the Bible began approximately 3,500 years ago, with the first inspired texts authored by Moses around 1446 B.C.E. during Israel’s wilderness period (Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 31:9). This predates classical Greek literature and occurred during the height of the Egyptian New Kingdom and the Shang dynasty in China. The final books of the Bible were completed by the apostle John near the end of the first century C.E., around 98 C.E. This places the full span of biblical composition at over 1,500 years, involving approximately 40 inspired writers across multiple continents, yet delivering a unified message (2 Peter 1:21).

From the initial writing on materials such as leather and papyrus, to the proliferation of printed editions after Gutenberg’s press in the 15th century, the transmission of the Bible has demonstrated divine preservation. Today, the Bible is available in over 2,700 languages, making at least portions of it accessible to over 90 percent of the global population. As Jesus himself affirmed in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” No other literary work compares in scope or permanence.

The Bible’s Purpose Is Clarity, Not Obscurity

A foundational principle of the Bible is its intelligibility—God wants humans to understand his will. According to Deuteronomy 30:11-14, the Law was not “too difficult” or “out of reach” for Israel, but was “very near,” meaning accessible and applicable. Similarly, Paul stated of the Christian message, “We are not writing you anything other than what you can read and understand” (2 Corinthians 1:13). Scripture, then, is not veiled in abstract mysticism, but is written in clear, concrete terms so ordinary people can grasp it.

One major reason for the Bible’s clarity is its language. While the original texts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek—languages known to the people of their respective eras—the grammar and vocabulary used were mostly simple, everyday terms. Even lofty theological concepts were expressed through real-life illustrations. Jesus, for example, frequently taught using parables—brief, relatable stories drawn from agriculture, family, business, and social customs (Matthew 13:34-35). These were not random anecdotes, but deeply instructive narratives that communicated truths about God’s kingdom, justice, and mercy.

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) exemplifies this method. In these chapters, Jesus addresses topics such as anger, lust, retaliation, and anxiety with straightforward applications. He concludes with a comparison between the wise and foolish builders, urging listeners not just to hear, but to do his words (Matthew 7:24-27). His goal was not philosophical speculation, but obedient transformation.

The Bible Relates to Real People Facing Real Struggles

The Bible’s appeal lies not only in how it is written but in what it describes. It does not present an idealized or sanitized version of humanity. Rather, it offers a sober yet hopeful record of both great and ordinary people. As Paul wrote, “Whatever was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

We read of Abraham’s faith and failures (Genesis 12–22), Moses’ struggles with leadership and anger (Exodus 2; Numbers 20), David’s triumph and sin (1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 11), and Peter’s boldness and denial (Matthew 16:16; Luke 22:61). These accounts are not fables but preserved historical events (Luke 1:1-4). They demonstrate Jehovah’s dealings with humanity across centuries and provide concrete lessons about obedience, repentance, humility, and perseverance.

Even prophetic and apocalyptic sections—often considered the most complex—contain plain exhortations. For instance, Isaiah’s call for justice (Isaiah 1:17), Ezekiel’s warnings of judgment (Ezekiel 18:30-32), and John’s closing invitation in Revelation (“Come!” Revelation 22:17) are direct appeals to conscience and decision.

Translation, Preservation, and Restoration for All Peoples

The accessibility of the Bible is one of the clearest evidences of God’s intention for all people to understand his message. While it was originally limited to speakers of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, tireless translation efforts over the centuries have brought the Bible into virtually every major language on earth. These translations often require deep linguistic and theological training, yet the outcome is that people from countless tribes, nations, and tongues can read the Word of God in their own language.

This universal availability fulfills the mission Jesus entrusted to his apostles: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Without translation, that command would be impossible to obey. Moreover, the accuracy of modern critical Hebrew and Greek texts—preserved through thousands of manuscripts, such as the Leningrad Codex, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Codex Vaticanus—ensures that nearly every word of the original has been reliably transmitted. The inspired content is intact, as God promised through Isaiah: “The word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

No Miraculous Preservation but Rather Preservation and Restoration

1 Peter 1:25 and Isaiah 40:8 are often taken by the charismatics, the King James Version Onlyists, and those in the unknowing to mean that God’s Word has gone unchanged since the original were written. They believe in miraculous preservation, which is biblically untrue and not the case in reality because there are hundreds of thousands of textual variants in tens of thousands of Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. What we have is the copyists preserving the texts as best as they could.

Understanding Requires Diligence and Humility

While the Bible is written to be understood, this does not mean that comprehension is automatic or effortless. Proverbs 2:1-5 compares gaining knowledge of God to searching for hidden treasure—a task requiring effort, discernment, and reverence. Similarly, Paul urged Timothy to be a “worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). This requires consistent reading, proper context, and adherence to sound interpretive principles—chiefly, the historical-grammatical method that honors the original meaning as intended by the inspired author.

Furthermore, one must approach scripture with the right disposition. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God… and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Understanding begins with the fear of Jehovah (Proverbs 9:10) and a sincere desire to obey his will (John 7:17). Knowledge without obedience leads to hypocrisy, but understanding that leads to repentance and faith results in eternal life (John 17:3).

A Unique Text With Eternal Significance

No other book in history has addressed the full range of human existence—origin, purpose, morality, and destiny—with such coherence and divine authority. Its answers are not speculative, but grounded in revelation. It teaches that humanity was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), that sin brought death and alienation (Romans 5:12), and that through Jesus Christ, redemption and reconciliation are offered (Romans 3:23-26).

Understanding the Bible is not an end in itself; it is a means to knowing God and aligning one’s life with his purposes. As James urged, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). The Bible’s power lies not only in its ability to inform, but to transform.

Conclusion

Yes, the Bible is a book to be understood. Though ancient, it speaks with contemporary relevance. Though written by many men across centuries, it conveys a unified divine message. It addresses life’s greatest questions not with speculation but with certainty. It has been translated into nearly every tongue, preserved through trial and triumph, and remains a trustworthy guide for all who seek truth. For those willing to read, reflect, and respond, the Bible provides the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).