Sola Scriptura – Part 3: Interpreting Scripture — The Spirit vs. Theologians

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
— John 14:26 (NASB1995)

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Whose Interpretation?

The question is no longer, “Is Scripture true?”—but rather, “Whose interpretation of Scripture is right?”

Some say Calvin. Others, Augustine. Still others, Luther, Aquinas, or a denominational confession.

But the early Church had another answer:

The Holy Spirit.

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Scripture Interprets Scripture—By the Spirit

The Ante-Nicene Church understood what Jesus taught: that the same Spirit who inspired the Scriptures would also teach and interpret them for those who belonged to Him.

They didn’t need a new method. They needed the same Spirit who taught Peter, John, and Paul.

“The Scriptures are indeed perfect, since they were spoken by the Word of God and His Spirit.”
— Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 2, Chapter 28 (c. AD 180)

They did not invent allegorical methods or theological structures to discover hidden meanings. They believed the plain sense of the text, in context, was enough—especially when read under the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

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What Happens When Man Takes Over

As early as the second century, men like Origen began using allegory and Greek philosophy to “deepen” the meaning of Scripture. But this move away from Spirit-led interpretation led to confusion, contradiction, and corruption.

By the time of Augustine and beyond, interpretation was no longer Spirit-driven—it was system-driven. Verses were pulled from their context and reinterpreted through philosophical categories.

The Church no longer asked, “What did the Spirit teach through this?”
Instead, it asked, “How does this verse fit within our system?”

“Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’—for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.”
— 1 Timothy 6:20–21

The early Church warned of this—of knowledge that overcomplicates the truth and pulls us away from the simplicity of the gospel.

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The Spirit Is Still Our Teacher

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide His disciples into all truth (John 16:13). That promise wasn’t limited to the apostles—it was extended to all who receive the Spirit.

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things… just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”
— 1 John 2:27

This doesn’t mean we ignore teachers. It means we test every teaching by the Spirit’s interpretation of the Word—not by theological constructs.

If an interpretation:

• Contradicts the plain reading of the text
• Requires allegory or abstraction to make it work
• Ignores historical or grammatical context
• Overrules Scripture with philosophy

Then it is not from the Spirit.

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Ante-Nicene Discernment

The early Church judged doctrine by:

• The plain reading of Scripture
• The consistent testimony of the apostles
• The fruit of obedience and holiness it produced

They didn’t say, “That’s a valid interpretation within our theological stream.”
They said, “That’s not what the apostles taught.”

“Those who wish to be saved must not follow doctrines which come from their own minds… but must hold fast to the teachings of the Lord, which have been delivered to us through the apostles.”
— Irenaeus, Book 3

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Kingdom Discipleship Reflection

• Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to teach me Scripture, or relying on a theological system?
• Do I believe the Word is clear—or do I think only scholars can rightly understand it?
• Have I tested the interpretations I believe by reading the Scriptures plainly, in context, with prayer?

This week, choose one passage that has often been debated or systematized. Read it afresh. Slowly. Prayerfully. Ask the Spirit:

“What are You saying here—not what others say You are saying?”

“But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:14