Jeremiah 30:2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
September 2008
As a young schoolboy, I was puzzled by our reading teacher telling us to learn to read between the lines. Being a true Genius, as I was at the time; I concluded this was mere nonsense since there clearly is nothing but empty space between the lines. So much for the ways of the literal minded. It would have helped if the reading teacher had presented some good examples of this. Perhaps old teach didn’t really have a clue either.
What I want to do in this essay is present some examples of what the Lord has shown me about reading between the lines of the Holy Bible. Some of this has to do with multiple meanings, some with typology, and some related to hearing the voice of the author behind the pen of the scribe.
So what does it mean to read between the lines, as the world understands it? Here are a couple citations from reference works.
read between the lines
To perceive or detect an obscure or unexpressed meaning
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/read+between+the+lines
read between the lines
to deduce something that is not made explicit (informal)
Encarta® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1999,2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
interpret (verb)
explain, clarify, account for, elucidate (formal), make clear, shed light on, illuminate; construe, understand, read, take, take to mean, infer, read between the lines, deduce; translate, decode, decipher, unravel, figure out
Encarta® Thesaurus © 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Let me make it clear at the start that I follow the ‘dictation theory’ of biblical inspiration and inerrancy. This means that the bible was dictated by the Holy Spirit directly to the scribes, just like it says in the quote from Jeremiah above. There are many scriptures that support this view. The inerrancy part means that the written word in the original languages contains exactly what God intended it to contain. So if you think you have found an error, anomaly, or contradiction in the text of the bible, which you cannot resolve by comparing translations with the original text, then it is something God put there deliberately. And you can only resolve the issue by seeking Him for understanding.
Blind Bartimaeus
Here is a case where someone thought they found a contradiction.
Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
Luke 18:35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
There is a story told by a well known healing evangelist about a minister who thought these two verses above revealed a contradiction in the bible. In Mark, Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus as he is leaving Jericho, but in Luke he cries out to Jesus as he is coming into Jericho. This minister, according to the story was so crushed by finding what he thought was a contradiction, that he left the ministry and backslid. The evangelist relating this commented that if he had sought the Holy Spirit about the matter he would have learned that Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus the entire time he was passing through Jericho, from one end to the other. Bartimaeus was persistent in prayer and Jesus healed him. The two verses are not contradictory at all.
Reading Between The Lines Shows Authorship
Let’s look at the opening of The Gospel of Luke for one illustration.
Luke 1:1-4
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
I want to focus on verse 3 here and see what lessons there may be.
Several dictionaries I checked tell me that Theophilus means friend of God, one says the name means loved of God. All of the dictionaries and commentaries view the word as a proper noun or name of an individual, in part because of the phrase most excellent is understood to be addressing someone of rank or status. Theo here means God and philus is related to phileo meaning love. We have similar words in English derived from Greek such as Francophile which means lover of France or the French. Philosophy means love of knowledge, which is Sophia in Greek. The name could easily mean lover of God as well as loved by God. So another possible interpretation, reading between the lines is that the writer is addressing the reader as most excellent lover of God.
Take a look at the language in the first part of verse 3. The writer describes himself as having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first. Look at this literally. Is Luke here claiming to have perfect understanding? Is this understanding of all things? Does it go back to the very first? Is this literal or is this an example of exaggeration? The term for that is hyperbole. That’s where we get our word hype. It can’t be literal unless this writer is the Holy Spirit speaking to us through Luke, the human vessel he is using to convey his truth.
In verse 2 the writer describes themselves as one whom from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word. Is this a description of Luke or of the Holy Spirit? Was Luke a minister of the word from the very beginning? I don’t think so.
If you can see that this is the Holy Spirit speaking here, then you will realize that this is one example of the Spirit reassuring us that He is the Author.
Acts Of The Apostles
Let’s look now at how Luke opens the Book of Acts.
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Once again our pal Theophilus is mentioned, the lover of God. Focus on the phrase the former treatise. The natural or literal interpretation of this is that Luke is speaking of the first book attributed to him, The Gospel According to Luke. The spiritual interpretation is that the Holy Spirit is speaking of the first book attributed to HIM, the Old Testament. By the Spirit you can see Jesus all through the Old Testament and all that he began to do and teach is written there. Is he not called The Word Of God? And once again the Holy Spirit is showing himself the Author of the Word.
Tertius
Romans 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Here again in Romans, you can see the Holy Spirit identifying himself as the author of the scripture. The clue is that Tertius means third. Literally it speaks of a Roman custom of naming children first, second, third, fourth etc. Spiritually it speaks of the Third Person in the trinity, the Holy Spirit.
Tychicus
Now this example gets a little deeper. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is depicted as far more than just authorship of the scriptures.
Ephesians 6:21-24
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. <To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.>
At the end of verse 24, we read: To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus. The name means fateful, or fortunate, or chance or by chance. This is set off as a footnote in the King James Version. Other translations omit it altogether. What makes this fellow special is that he is mentioned in the text and having certain characteristics and certain tasks to do.
Tychicus is said to be a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.
He is assigned to make all things known to the Ephesians
And he is to comfort their hearts.
So here is a picture of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. First note in verse 24, the use of three words to describe our savior. When you see the words Lord Jesus Christ it speaks of the trinity. The description of Tychicus as a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord is easy to discern one member of the trinity speaking about another. The idea that he is make all things known and to be a comforter is clearly the function of the Holy Spirit.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
What we are showing here is the character Tychicus is used as a type of the Holy Spirit, and said to be not only a writer of scripture; but sent by God to be a minister, teacher and comforter. There are also end time implications to his ministry and his ministry. Tychicus sent by Paul to the Ephesians relates to the unity of the faith that the Ephesians are coming into. This has a parallel to the Holy Spirit being poured out in the end times to bring the Church into a unity of the faith.
Tychicus is also mentioned in Colossians 4 in a similar manner.
Colossians 4:7-9
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
The chapter concludes with this note: <Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.> if you have a King James Translation.
Timotheus
The name Timotheus means honor of God; valued of God. Here in this verse from First Thessalonians Timothy is sent as a comforter and he is described as a brother, minister and fellowlabourer. This is just what Tychicus is doing in the other places we have quoted from.
1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
The following quotes from Philippians and First Corinthians show Timothy performing similar functions. But there is an added factor involved also.
Philippians 2:19-24
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
1 Corinthians 4:17-21
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Here is the added factor. In both these passages the natural interpretation is that Paul is sending Timothy and that he [Paul] will follow shortly after. The Spiritual reading is that Jesus is sending the Holy Spirit first, after which he will come himself. So there are end time connotations to all this. In fact it’s a direct parallel with Joel’s prophecy that Peter quotes in Acts 2. First comes the Spirit, then the Day of the Lord, or Second Coming of Jesus.
Acts 2:17-20
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Titus
So war we have looked at Theophilus, Tertius, Tychicus, Timotheus and now Titus. All these names starting with T makes them God’s T-Men. The name Titus means pleasing or honorable. He plays his greatest part in Second Corinthians. Notice how he is described in these passages.
2 Corinthians 8:6-7
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Now Titus’ most important role is seen here in chapter 7 where it mentions the effect that the Coming Of Titus has on the Corinthian church. Recall how the first epistle to the Corinthians mentions all the contention, division, sin and corruption in that church. Now with the coming of Titus all that changes.
2 Corinthians 7:6-11
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle [First Corinthians] hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Here we are looking at the coming of the Holy Spirit typified by Titus as a factor in producing repentance. John 16 mentions the role of the Holy Ghost in revealing of sin.
John 16:7-8
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
And now notice in verse 10 and 11 how this godly sorrow with the coming of Titus works an awesome transformation in the Corinthians. As Titus plays the part of the Holy Spirit, his coming is a picture of revival or redemption. There is sorrow because of judgment, then fear of the Lord and then great rejoicing to the point where it is said in all things ye have approved yourselves. Sorrow brings repentance, repentance brings getting right with God. That is the righteousness of the Kingdom. And the Kingdom of God brings righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. What we are looking at here folks is a picture of the End Time Revival that brings in the Kingdom of God.
Natural and Spiritual voices.
Lets look at another element of reading between the lines. That is comparing the natural voice speaking as the scribe of the word and the spiritual voice of the Lord as the author.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Here the natural voice is that of Paul talking about his troubles. But consider this. These words would be just as true if they were spoken directly by Jesus himself. You just have to remember that Jerusalem in Israel is located in Asia. It was there that Jesus gave up his life. He was under a sentence of death, but He trusted in God for his resurrection. So the spiritual voice here is that of Jesus speaking of his death and resurrection.
The same can be said of this verse from Phillipians.
Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Here the natural reading is speaking of Paul’s sufferings leading an increase of preaching the good news. The spiritual reading is Jesus telling us that what happened to him was really good news. We commonly think of His crucifixion and death as a great injustice. And we lament that the Jews missed their time of visitation. But do we forget that the Jews were supposed to miss their visitation? If they had not been blinded and unable to see their messiah in Jesus, then they would have seen their visitation as from the Lord. And embraced him as King.
But then there would have been no crucifixion, and no penalty paid for sin, and no salvation available to anyone! That would have been the greater tragedy. So he is saying don’t be upset by what happened to him, it was meant to be for the redemption of all of us. It is what made the good news possible. If the Jews had not been blinded, there would be no good news to preach.
The Lord Speaks Of His Return.
We quoted these next two verses earlier. In both of these the spiritual voice is that of the Lord Jesus speaking directly to the reader.
Philippians 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
Here are several more that exhibit the same feature.
3 John 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
Romans 1:9-11
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Romans 15:24-25
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
In all of these Jesus is concerned with his Second Coming. What could be more important?