“The Old Testament and New Testament frequently affirm that Scripture is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by ordinary believers.” – Wayne Grudem, Ph. D., Phoenix Seminary

The Bible frequently affirms its own clarity.

1) In the OT, the people were expected to be able to understand the words of Scripture.

Deut. 6:6-7: And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Ps. 1:1-2: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Ps. 19:7: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Ps. 119:130: The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

2) In the NT, both Jesus and the apostles have the same expectation.

• Jesus never blames people’s confusion on the obscurity of Scripture.

Matt. 12:3: He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:

Matt. 21:42: Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Matt. 22:29: But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.

• Most of the NT epistles are written to entire congregations.

1 Cor. 1:2: To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Gal. 1:2: and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Phil. 1:1: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

Col. 4:16: And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

• NT authors expect that their Gentile audience would familiarize themselves with a translation of the OT (in their common language – Greek)

Rom. 15:4: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Tim. 3:16-17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Dr. Grudem’s complete definition for the clarity of Scripture as presented in his Christian Essentials classes:

“The clarity of Scripture means that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all  who will read it seeking God’s help and being willing to follow it.”

Since the teachings of scripture can be understood by believers who apply themselves, he further provides as the three most important points to remember for rightly interpreting the Bible are: 1) Read it, 2) Read it, and 3) Read it.

Now that could make some false teachers out there, who depend on their flock fleecing expertise to stay in business, a bit nervous. When there is an entire religious organization/structure  that proclaims itself the only ‘capable’ interpreter of scripture, and adherence to what the ‘church’ teaches is how the masses are kept in bondage, even more is at state. Sometimes folks get tossed out of the church – ask Martin Luther.

One last point here. Most, if not all ‘former’ somethings that I know became formers by reading Scripture for themselves.