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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 198 min read

How Should Christians Deal with Bible Difficulties?

Bible students, whether new or experienced, inevitably encounter passages in the Scriptures that appear difficult to reconcile or understand. The apostle Peter acknowledged this challenge when referring to Paul’s writings, stating that “in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16, UASV). These difficulties, however, should not discourage or dishearten us. Instead, they can serve as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God’s Word. When faced with Bible difficulties, Christians must approach them with honesty, humility, determination, fearlessness, patience, and a reliance on Scripture itself. Furthermore, prayer plays a vital role in shedding light on these challenges.



The Necessity of Honesty in Confronting Bible Difficulties


One of the first principles to adopt when encountering a difficult Bible passage is to approach it with complete honesty. Christians should never attempt to obscure or dodge a difficulty, nor should they try to minimize it. Instead, they should be willing to acknowledge its existence openly and frankly, whether in personal study or when discussing the Scriptures with others. Zeal for the Bible’s inerrancy can sometimes lead well-meaning Christians to offer explanations that are unsatisfactory or even evasive. Such attempts can do more harm than good, as they may lead people to conclude that if these explanations are the best available, the Bible must be flawed.


The honesty in facing Bible difficulties is modeled by the apostle Paul himself, who never shied away from acknowledging challenges in doctrine or practice but always sought to clarify truth. In Romans 7:15, Paul admitted his personal struggles: "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate." This openness in confronting internal conflict mirrors how we should approach external conflicts in Scripture. An honest admission of difficulty reflects integrity in our faith and intellectual humility in our study of God’s Word.


Honesty also requires us to recognize when we do not have an immediate solution to a particular problem. As Paul wrote, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10). Acknowledging that we do not have all the answers yet is not a failure of faith but a recognition that our understanding is still growing.



Humility in Recognizing Our Limitations


Closely tied to honesty is humility. We must acknowledge the limitations of our human understanding and resist the temptation to believe that no solution exists simply because we cannot find one at the moment. Human knowledge is limited, and God’s ways are higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us of this truth: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares Jehovah. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”


Humility leads us to approach difficult passages with an awareness that we do not possess all the information or understanding needed to immediately solve every issue. Just because a passage seems difficult or contradictory on the surface does not mean it is unsolvable. As finite beings, we must approach the infinite wisdom of God with the recognition that some truths may only be fully understood with time, study, and prayer.


Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This humility compels us to trust that there are solutions to Bible difficulties, even if we cannot see them right away.



The Determination to Seek the Truth


While humility and honesty are essential, Christians must also cultivate determination in their study of Scripture. When faced with a Bible difficulty, it is not enough to simply acknowledge it and walk away. Instead, Christians should be determined to find the solution, dedicating time and effort to thoroughly studying the issue. The difficulties we encounter in Scripture are, in many ways, an invitation from God to dig deeper into His Word and to grow in knowledge and understanding.


This determined attitude is reflected in Proverbs 2:3-5, which states, “For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of Jehovah and discover the knowledge of God.” Seeking the truth requires time, effort, and persistence, much like searching for hidden treasures. Those who are willing to invest the time and energy will find the answers they seek.


The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to be diligent in his study, writing, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Determination in studying the Word is critical to accurately understanding it and resolving any difficulties that may arise.



Fearlessness in the Face of Apparent Difficulties


Christians must also approach Bible difficulties without fear. At times, certain passages may seem particularly challenging or even unanswerable. However, the long history of biblical criticism and examination has proven time and again that the Bible stands firm under scrutiny. Just as God’s Word has withstood the test of time for thousands of years, it will continue to do so, despite modern criticisms or doubts.


The confidence with which we approach Bible difficulties is rooted in the enduring nature of Scripture. As Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” No matter how perplexing a particular difficulty may appear, Christians can trust that the Word of God will endure, and the truth will prevail. Many scholars and critics have attempted to discredit the Bible over the centuries, yet it remains the best-selling and most widely distributed book in history. It has transformed lives, shaped civilizations, and withstood the assaults of skeptics for millennia.


Thus, Christians should not be frightened or intimidated by difficult passages. Rather, they should embrace the challenge with confidence, knowing that the Bible has stood against more formidable attacks than any modern critic can muster.



Patience in Waiting for Understanding


One of the most important attributes to cultivate when dealing with Bible difficulties is patience. Some difficulties may take years to resolve, and others may remain unresolved during our lifetime. However, this does not mean that there is no solution. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Sometimes, the answer to a particular difficulty is not immediately available, and it requires patience and persistence to arrive at a satisfactory solution.


Patience is especially necessary in a world that often demands immediate answers and quick solutions. In our pursuit of truth, we must be willing to wait for the understanding that will come in God’s timing. As Psalm 27:14 encourages, “Wait for Jehovah; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for Jehovah.” Waiting for God’s revelation of truth requires faith and trust in His perfect wisdom and timing.


The apostle James also encourages believers to be patient in their faith, writing, “The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:7-8). Just as a farmer waits for the growth of his crops, so must we wait patiently for the growth of our understanding of Scripture.



Relying on Scripture to Interpret Scripture


One of the most effective methods for resolving Bible difficulties is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. The Bible is a unified whole, and passages that are unclear or difficult to understand are often illuminated by other parts of the text. When we encounter a challenging verse, it is helpful to consult other passages that address similar themes or topics. In this way, the Bible acts as its own commentary, providing insight and clarity.


This principle is evident in how Jesus Himself used Scripture to clarify and interpret other Scriptures. For example, when tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus used one part of Scripture to explain and clarify another, setting an example for how we should approach Bible difficulties.


Paul also followed this principle when explaining the doctrine of justification by faith. In Romans 4:3, Paul cites Genesis 15:6 to demonstrate that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness: “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Paul used one passage of Scripture to explain and support his teaching, demonstrating that Scripture is the best tool for interpreting Scripture.


When facing Bible difficulties, we must take the time to search the Scriptures for passages that shed light on the issue at hand. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Scripture contains everything we need to resolve our difficulties and to grow in understanding.



The Power of Prayer in Understanding Scripture


Finally, prayer is an essential component of resolving Bible difficulties. When we encounter challenging passages, we should turn to God in prayer, asking for wisdom and understanding. James 1:5 assures us that “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God delights in granting wisdom to those who seek it earnestly and humbly.


Prayer not only opens our hearts and minds to the guidance of God’s Word, but it also helps to cultivate a spirit of humility and patience as we seek to resolve difficulties. Through prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God and our need for His guidance in understanding His Word. Psalm 119:18 is a beautiful prayer that reflects this attitude: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from your law.”


Moreover, prayer helps to align our hearts with God’s will and prepares us to receive the truths of Scripture. As we study the Bible and encounter difficulties, we should always take time to pray, asking God to illuminate His Word and to guide us in our study.


In the pursuit of resolving Bible difficulties, prayer is not a substitute for diligent study but an essential companion to it. As we pray, study, and seek understanding, we will find that many of the difficulties that once perplexed us will gradually dissolve in the light of God’s wisdom.



Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Understanding


Bible difficulties are not insurmountable obstacles but rather invitations to deepen our study, prayer, and reliance on Scripture. When approached with honesty, humility, determination, fearlessness, patience, and prayer, these difficulties become opportunities for growth in our faith and understanding of God’s Word.


As the psalmist wrote, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). The more we study and meditate on Scripture, the more light will be shed on the difficult passages, and our understanding will grow.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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