Interpretation belongs to the ecclesiastical ministry.
Interpretation belongs to the ecclesiastical ministry.
§ 528. This public interpretation of Scripture has been committed by God to the ecclesiastical ministry (Mal. 2:7; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9). Those who have been established in the ecclesiastical ministry have two responsibilities (which relate to the duty of teaching): the interpretation of Scripture or explanation, and the application of it for salutary use. The interpretation of Scripture includes both an investigation of its true and genuine meaning, and the clear and perspicuous explanation of it. The highest and most important end of explanation, as well as of application, is “the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). The proximate or intermediate end is the instruction of people unto eternal salvation, which includes “teaching, reproof, training, correction, and consolation,” as we have shown in greater detail in its own place on the basis of Rom. 15:4 and 2 Tim. 3:16. So, then, all interpretation and application of Scripture must take place to illumine the glory of God and promote the salvation of men. From this we draw the deductive conclusion that it is not a legitimate interpretation of Scripture if it weakens the glory of God or the salvation of men, that is, if it takes away the praise of God’s divine goodness, wisdom, righteousness, truth, and power and if it weakens the foundations of consolations and the pursuit of piety.