What is the meaning of this text?

How do we go about solving difficult passages in the Bible?

Case Study: Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Mt 12:31, 32; Mk 3:28-29; Luke 12:10; Mark 3:30

Matthew 12:31 (WEB)

31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.

Mark 3:28-29 (WEB)

28 Most assuredly I tell you, all of the children of men’s sins will be forgiven them, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; 29 but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"

Luke 12:10 (WEB)

10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Mark 3:30 (WEB)

30 --because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

How do you deal with a difficult passage?

Get the facts - Top Down, go from general to specific to detail

  • Gather any related passages

  • look at the passages

  • Inventory the facts

    • The result of the study MUST satisfy ALL the facts

Analyze the facts

  • Break down, disassemble the sentences

  • Identify the ideas conveyed by the words (the points of argument)

    • Define words, are some words used interchangeably?

  • Compare the facts of various similar passages

    • Look for similarities & contrasts, these can become Biblical definitions

Expand to the context of each passage

  • Are we given clues for understanding the passage?

Build a solution - Bottom Up -

  • Organize your findings & Fuse the detail into bigger blocks

We are going to take a quick look at Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit with the intention of helping us all to be able to put together a solution plan

In His Service — Scott