Unlearning The Foundational Issue of Biblical Interpretation

Biblical interpretation often involves the study of words, contexts, and historical surroundings. These aspects, along with the underlying text, are absolutely essential to interpreting the Bible. However, in addition to these textual and linguistic considerations, there is also the matter of theology. You and I interpret the Bible through a theological lens, and doing so is practically unavoidable.

Today, we will re-examine one of the theological lenses that fundamentally affects our biblical interpretation. Even though this issue may seem insignificant at first, in reality, its impact is almost all-encompassing. In fact, I will refer to it as the foundational issue of biblical interpretation. The issue is the role of the Apostle Paul in our Christian theology.

The thesis of this sermon is that there is a discontinuity rather than continuity between the ministry of Jesus and the 12 Apostles and that of Paul.

Considering Colossians 1:25-26

We will use Colossians 1:25-26 as the key passage of scripture to introduce this matter, although many more could be included. This passage provides a concise summary of Paul's claim. We will examine this claim both linguistically and theologically, and then consider the continuity approach of evangelicalism and the discontinuity approach we will call Right Division.

In verse 25, Paul claims that the "dispensation of God," which refers to what we might call the dispensation of grace, was "given to me for you." This is a bold claim in itself, suggesting that the Colossians would not have had this "dispensation" if it had not been given to Paul. If that isn't bold enough, Paul goes on to say that this dispensation was given "to fulfill the word of God." The claim is that God's Word would be lacking without this dispensation given to Paul. In other words, a correct understanding of the revelation to Paul is necessary for a full understanding of God’s Word.

He continues in verse 26 to further clarify this dispensation, using the word "mystery," which biblically is something that cannot be discovered without revelation. He then says that the mystery "hath been hid from ages and from generations" and is only "now made manifest to his saints." When combined with the claim that the mystery dispensation was "given to me," Paul's claim is that God revealed something entirely new, and this new revelation is fundamental to a full understanding of God's Word.

The Evangelical Standard: Paul’s Greater Understanding

I have interpreted Colossians 1:25-26 through a theological lens known as "Right-Division." However, there is a more standard evangelical lens for these verses, and that is that paul was one of many who understood the mystery and that he was simply continuing the message that had been taught by Jesus and the Apostles.

First, evangelicalism almost wholly rejects the term "dispensation," as evidenced in modern translations. The word is translated as "stewardship" (ESV), "commission" (NIV, NASB, CSB), and "responsibility" (NLT). The English word "dispensation" comes from the Latin "dispensatio." This word, like the underlying Greek term "oikonomos," was used to refer to a singular individual filling a management position. While "stewardship," "commission," or "responsibility" could describe that role, none of these words convey the singular nature of the word "dispensation," and thus fall short in precision. This reflects the evangelical preference for a broad understanding, rather than a narrow one, of Paul's role as one steward among many.

Second, the modern translations take a broad view of Paul’s claim that the dispensation give to him was “to fulfill the word of God” (v. 25). ESV says that the “stewardship” was “to make the word of God fully known.” NASB says that the “commission” was “so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.” These two are representative of the others, all of which add a heaping dose of interpretation beyond the translation of the Greek words themselves. Rather than bringing the Word to completion, the modern translations simply give Paul a better proclamation of the Word preached by others as well.

For example, Bibleref.com says that “he is referring to the gospel message, or truth of God, which he had been preaching. This included the writings of the Old Testament (John 10:35) as well as the teachings which Jesus gave to the Apostles (Acts 4:31; 6:2, 7).” [https://www.bibleref.com/Colossians/1/Colossians-1-25.html. Accessed August 12, 2023]. The same website continues in v. 26 saying that, “Before Jesus came to earth, no one knew exactly how God planned to fulfill all of His many prophecies regarding the Jewish Messiah. The prophets who wrote about the future only vaguely understood the message they were given (Ephesians 3:4–5). The complete story was only revealed after Christ came in the flesh.” https://www.bibleref.com/Colossians/1/Colossians-1-26.html [Accessed August 12, 2023]. The claim that the “complete story was only revealed after Christ came” is indicative of the vague and general approach of evangelicalism which refuses to fulfill the story in the revelation to Paul.

The “Right Division” Approach: Paul’s Unique Revelation

The “Right Division” approach, which I favor, takes the words of Colossians 1:25-26 in their most literal nature, that a dispensation was singularly given to Paul, setting him apart from the 12 Apostles, who served under Peter’s authority as the head of a dispensation of the Kingdom offer to Israel.

The implication of this approach is that Christians today live in a Pauline dispensation, with unique theology that pertains to our dispensation alone. There are a number of passages which would support such a view, including, Ephesians 3:1-12, Romans 16:25-27, 1 Corinthians 9:17, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Galatians 1:11-12, 2:7-9, and others.

As stated previously, this approach is at odds with the evangelical standard interpretation.For example, evangelical scholar Douglas Moo, in his commentary on Colossians 1:26, says, “The coming of Christ and the accompanying gift of the Spirit, the climactic event in salvation history, reveal to the Lord’s people (hagiois, “saints”; see the note on v. 2) God’s ultimate purpose and plan.” [Douglas J. Moo, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008), 156.] Notice that “God’s ultimate purpose and plan” and “the climactic event in salvation history” is found in “The coming of Christ and the accompanying gift of the Spirit.” This standard approach is rejected by those in Right Division, who propose that “the climactic event” that birthed the church as we know it was the mystery given to Paul.

A Dilemma Resolved: Law, Works and Grace

The Right Division approach resolves a long-standing dilemma in Christianity regarding the role of works in faith. James emphasizes that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26), Jesus teaches that those who follow Him must keep His commandments (John 14:15), and John insists on obedience to God's commands (1 John 5:3). On the other hand, Paul strongly argues that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, "lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9), and that believers are not under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14).

Furthermore, Jesus, James, and John emphasize the importance of obedience to the Law for followers of Christ (Matthew 5:17-20; James 2:8; 1 John 3:24), while Paul contends that believers are free from the Law (Galatians 5:1).

The Right Division approach solves this dilemma by dividing the dispensation of the Law (and its final expression in the Kingdom offer under Peter) from the dispensation of Paul, which was a mystery until it was revealed to him (Ephesians 3:1-5). This division allows for a reconciliation of these seemingly contrasting teachings on faith, works, and the Law, recognizing the unique aspects of Paul's theology as distinct from the teachings of James, Jesus, and John.

…And So Much More

The discontinuity between the ministry of Jesus and the 12 Apostles and that of Paul extends beyond theology to profoundly impact Christian faith and practice. It shapes our understanding of grace, Law, church leadership, spiritual gifts, and the unique calling of the Church in the present age, and so much more!

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