Does Quran 6:91 (Al-Anaam) really say that the Jews and Christians changed the Bible?

Some contend that Quran 6:91 (Al-Anaam) says that the Jews and Christians changed the Bible.  Let’s take a look at it and see if that is really what it is saying.

Quran 6:91 (Al-Anaam)

No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)" Say: "Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought?- a light and guidance to man: But ye make it into (separate) sheets for show, while ye conceal much (of its contents): therein were ye taught that which ye knew not- neither ye nor your fathers." Say: "(Allah) (sent it down)": Then leave them to plunge in vain discourse and trifling.

Before we delve into this ayah, I would like to examine a similar passage.

Quran 15:90-93 (Al-Hijr)

Yusuf Ali Translation	Hafs	Ibn Kathir
(Of just such wrath) as We sent down on those who divided (Scripture into arbitrary parts),-	‏كَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْمُقْتَسِمِينَ	كَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْمُقْتَسِمِينَ
(So also on such) as have made Qur'an into shreds (as they please).	‏ٱلَّذِينَ جَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عِضِينَ	ٱلَّذِينَ جَعَلُوا۟ القُرَان  عِضِينَ
Therefore, by the Lord, We will, of a surety, call them to account,	‏فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ	فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
For all their deeds.	‏عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ	عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Here, we can see that, just as people divided the Scripture (like in the ayah in question), they have also made the Qur’an into shreds.  So, if Quran 6:91 really is saying that the Bible itself was corrupted, then we must also conclude that the Qur’an was also corrupted. 

Not only that, but the Qur’an suffers a worse fate.  If Qur’an 6:91 is saying that the people literally divided the Bible up into separate sheets, then it can still be properly reassembled and read.  But, taking Qur'an 15:91 literally would mean that the people shredded the Qur’an.  Shredding a book renders it unreadable and useless. 

I think that most of the people who try to say that the Qur’an is perfectly preserved will instantly agree that Qur’an 15:90-93 is being figurative.  If Qur’an 15:90-93 is figurative, and it clearly links these activities with those described in Quran 6:91, then shouldn’t we also interpret Qur’an 6:91 figuratively?  If Quran 6:91 can only mean a literal destruction of the Biblical text, then Quran 15:90-93 must indicate that the Qur’anic text was destroyed.  But, since we all agree that Quran 15:90-93 is figurative, we must also agree that Quran 6:91 is figurative as well.

Now, let’s look at the context of Qur’an 6:91 and see if we can draw out the meaning instead of reading our preconceptions into it.

Qur’an 6:89-92

Qur’an 6:89

Yusuf Ali Translation	Hafs	Nafi`
These were the men to whom We gave the Book, and authority, and prophethood: if these (their descendants) reject them, Behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new people who reject them not.	‏أُو۟لَٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ ۚ فَإِن يَكْفُرْ بِهَا هَٓؤُلَآءِ فَقَدْ وَكَّلْنَا بِهَا قَوْمًۭا لَّيْسُوا۟ بِهَا بِكَفِرِينَ	أُو۟لَٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ والنبوءة فَإِن يَكْفُرْ بِهَا هَٓؤُلَآءِ فَقَدْ وَكَّلْنَا بِهَا قَوْمًۭا لَّيْسُوا۟ بِهَا بِكَفِرِينَ

The people rejected the former prophets.

Qur’an 6:90

Yusuf Ali Translation	Hafs	Ibn Kathir
Those were the (prophets) who received Allah.s guidance: Copy the guidance they received; Say: "No reward for this do I ask of you: This is no less than a message for the nations."	‏أُو۟لَٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَلَمِينَ	أُو۟لَٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عليهي أَجراً إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَلَمِينَ

Muhammad receives the same guidance given to the former prophets, namely that he has a message for the nations.  Notice that Muhammad copied the guidance given to the former prophets and this guidance is a message for the nations.  This means that the former prophets also had a message for the nations.  This calls into question the common claim that Muhammad was the only prophet for all mankind.

Quran 6:91

Yusuf Ali Translation	Hafs	Ibn Kathir & Abu `Amr al-'Ala'
No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)" Say: "Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought?- a light and guidance to man: But ye make it into (separate) sheets for show, while ye conceal much (of its contents): therein were ye taught that which ye knew not- neither ye nor your fathers." Say: "(Allah) (sent it down)": Then leave them to plunge in vain discourse and trifling.	‏وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍۢ مِّن شَىْءٍۢ ۗ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ ٱلْكِتَبَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِۦ مُوسَىٰ نُورًۭا وَهُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ تَجْعَلُونَهُۥ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًۭا ۖ وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنتُمْ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِى خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ	‏وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍۢ مِّن شَىْءٍۢ ۗ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ ٱلْكِتَبَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِۦ مُوسَىٰ نُورًۭا وَهُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ يجعلونه قراطيس يبدونها ويخفون كَثِيرًۭا ۖ وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنتُمْ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِى خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ

Notice that it is criticizing these people for doubting that God sent down the Book.  Does this really sound like it is trying to tell people that we should doubt the Bible.  It goes on to say that the people made the book into separate sheets and concealed much of it.  This doesn’t sound much like people changing the Bible, but rather removing quotes out of context and ignoring what else was written.  People do this all the time when they quote a few ayat from the Qur’an and say that it commands Muslims to kill all unbelievers.  Does this quoting out of context cause all copies of the Qur’an in the world to suddenly change to reflect this misquoting?  Of course not!  That would be a ridiculous assumption.

Qur’an 6:92

Yusuf Ali Translation	Hafs	Ibn Kathir	Shu‘bah	Warsh & Abu `Amr al-'Ala' & Abu Ja`far
And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it: that thou mayest warn the mother of cities and all around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book), and they are constant in guarding their prayers.	‏وَهَذَا كِتَبٌ أَنزَلْنَهُ مُبَارَكٌۭ مُّصَدِّقُ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ	وَهَذَا كِتَبٌ أنزلناهو مبارك مُّصَدِّقُ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يديهي ولتنذر أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ	وَهَذَا كِتَبٌ أَنزَلْنَهُ مُبَارَكٌۭ مُّصَدِّقُ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ولينذر أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ	وَهَذَا كِتَبٌ أَنزَلْنَهُ مُبَارَكٌۭ مُّصَدِّقُ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يومنون بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ يومنون بِهِۦ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

Notice that immediately after this supposed statement that the Bible has been changed, the Qur’an clearly states that it is a Book from God confirming the previous revelations.  And, no, it does not say “in their original form” or “whatever remains” or anything implying that it is talking about different version of the previous revelations.

Those who try to use ayah 91 to say that the Bible has been changed do so by making the ayat into separate sheets and concealing the plain statement of ayah 92, which confirms the truth of the Bible.

Does Quran 2:79 (al-Baqarah) actually say that the Bible has been changed?

This will be the first of a series of posts concerning what the Quran actually says about the Bible and whether or not the common claims of corruption are legitimate.  Let’s start with one of the most commonly quoted verses that supposedly proves that the Bible has been corrupted.

First, I would like to address the common belief that the Quran only addresses books given to the prophets and the Bible isn't directly mentioned.  The word Bible is the English pronunciation of the Greek word βιβλία, which translates into English as “book”.  In Arabic it is كتاب .  So, if the Quran refers to the Jews and Christians as having a “book” (كتاب in Arabic), then it is referring to the Bible, which is the “book” (كتاب) possessed by the Jews and Christians. 

Now, let’s look at the Quran.

Quran 2:79

Yusif Ali translation	Hafs	Ya`qub al-Hashimi	Hamzah
Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:"This is from Allah," to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.	‏فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ	‏فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بأيديهُم ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أيديهُم وَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ	‏فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بٍيَيْديهِم ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ

We must look at this ayah and the surrounding ayat in order to see if it actually says that the Jews and Christians changed the Bible. 

First, if you look at this ayah, it does not mention changing an existing book.  Instead, it mentions writing a book and attributing it to God.  If I write a book and falsely claim that it is from God and Gabriel recited it to me, have I changed the Quran?  Are all of the copies of the Quran throughout the world now corrupted if I publish this false book?  No, of course not!!!  That would be a ridiculous claim.  And it would be no less ridiculous to make a similar claim about the Bible. 

Did Christians and/or Jews write books and falsely attribute their origin to God?  Most Christian theologians will say yes.  They reject many books such as the Gospel of Judas, the Gnostic Gospels, the Apocalypse of Peter, and so on.  They reject these books because most of the evidence indicates they were written long after the apostles died and they often contradict the writings of Moses and the other previous prophets.  No one denies that men wrote books and falsely attributed them to God.  But, this is a completely different thing from changing the existing Scriptures.

Now, let’s consider this ayah in the context of the previous ayah.

Quran 2:78-79

Yusuf Ali translation	Hafs	Ya`qub al-Hashimi	Hamzah	Abu Ja`far
And there are among them illiterates, who know not the Book, but (see therein their own) desires, and they do nothing but conjecture.	‏وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ إِلَّآ أَمَانِىَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ			‏وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ إِلَّآ أمانِىَ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ
Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:"This is from Allah," to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.	فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ	فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بأيديهُم ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أيديهُم وَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ	فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَبَ بٍيَيْديهِم ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌۭ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ

First, we can see from this that it is talking about a small group of people within Judaism and/or Christianity.  It is not talking about the People of the Book in general.  If I got a group of Muslims to agree to change the Quran, they would only be able to change the copies of the Quran they possessed.  It would not be possible for the copies of the Quran throughout the world to be changed without the consent of all Muslims.  Likewise, a group of Jews and/or Christians could only theoretically change the copies of the Bible they possessed.

But it goes on.  It says they are “illiterates, who know not the Book, but (see therein their own) desires, and they do nothing but conjecture.”  If they know nothing of the Book but conjecture, then it seems to be talking about a group that doesn't even have a copy of the Bible in their possession.  You can’t change a book you don’t have.  You can only create a fake book and try to pass it off as real.  This only reinforces the argument I presented above.

Let’s continue to examine the context.  The Quran continues for several ayat talking about the unbelief and evil deeds committed by the Jews and Christians, which nobody denies took place. 

Then, in ayah 89 it says something very interesting.

Quran 2:89

Yusuf Ali translation	Hafs
And when there comes to them a Book from Allah, confirming what is with them,- although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without Faith,- when there comes to them that which they (should) have recognised, they refuse to believe in it but the curse of Allah is on those without Faith.	‏وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ كِتَبٌۭ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌۭ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مَّا عَرَفُوا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ فَلَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلْكَفِرِينَ

The Quran says that it is a book from God “confirming what is with them”.  So, even after the events described in ayat 78-79, the Quran confirms the truth of the Bible still possessed by them.

Let’s summarize.  There were some, but not all, of the People of the Book who knew nothing but conjecture of the Bible, from which we can conclude that they probably didn't possess a copy of it.  They wrote fake Scriptures and tried to pass them off as genuinely from God.  God criticizes they unbelief and wickedness of the People of the Book and says that the Quran confirms the Bible they still possessed.

Nowhere does it actually mention changing the Bible, instead it says that the Quran confirms the Bible still possessed by the majority of them.  

Of course, there are other ayat used to try to say the Bible has been changed.  I will address those in later posts.

What Does The Bible say about Paul's writings? Are they infallible? Should we base doctrines on them? Should we use them to interpret the rest of the Bible?

One of the biggest walls between Christian thought and Islam and Judaism is the writings of Paul, or at least the way modern Christians commonly interpret them.  So, today I want to look at what the Bible says about Paul’s writings.  Most Christians will look to 2 Peter 3: 15-16 and claim that it says that Paul’s writings are Scripture, and we should accept any theology Christians derive from them.  Let’s look at the slightly larger context and see what it really says.

2 Peter 3:9-18

⁹ ου βραδυνει κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις υμας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

¹⁰ ηξει δε ημερα κυριου ως κλεπτης εν η οι ουρανοι ροιζηδον παρελευσονται στοιχεια δε καυσουμενα λυθησεται και γη και τα εν αυτη εργα ευρεθησεται

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

¹¹ τουτων ουτως παντων λυομενων ποταπους δει υπαρχειν [υμας] εν αγιαις αναστροφαις και ευσεβειαις

¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

¹² προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται

¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

¹³ καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει

¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

¹⁴ διο αγαπητοι ταυτα προσδοκωντες σπουδασατε ασπιλοι και αμωμητοι αυτω ευρεθηναι εν ειρηνη

¹⁴ Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

¹⁵ και την του κυριου ημων μακροθυμιαν σωτηριαν ηγεισθε καθως και ο αγαπητος ημων αδελφος παυλος κατα την δοθεισαν αυτω σοφιαν εγραψεν υμιν

¹⁵ And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

¹⁶ ως και εν πασαις επιστολαις λαλων εν αυταις περι τουτων εν αις εστιν δυσνοητα τινα α οι αμαθεις και αστηρικτοι στρεβλουσιν ως και τας λοιπας γραφας προς την ιδιαν αυτων απωλειαν

¹⁶ As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

¹⁷ υμεις ουν αγαπητοι προγινωσκοντες φυλασσεσθε ινα μη τη των αθεσμων πλανη συναπαχθεντες εκπεσητε του ιδιου στηριγμου

¹⁷ Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

¹⁸ αυξανετε δε εν χαριτι και γνωσει του κυριου ημων και σωτηρος ιησου χριστου αυτω η δοξα και νυν και εις ημεραν αιωνος

¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

On a side note, you can see that Peter seems to use the word “Lord” for both God and Jesus.  Peter explained why he does this in a speech he gave.

Acts 2:32-36

³² τουτον τον ιησουν ανεστησεν ο θεος ου παντες ημεις εσμεν μαρτυρες

³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

³³ τη δεξια ουν του θεου υψωθεις την τε επαγγελιαν του πνευματος του αγιου λαβων παρα του πατρος εξεχεεν τουτο ο υμεις [και] βλεπετε και ακουετε

³³ Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

³⁴ ου γαρ δαυιδ ανεβη εις τους ουρανους λεγει δε αυτος ειπεν κυριος τω κυριω μου καθου εκ δεξιων μου

³⁴ For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

³⁵ εως αν θω τους εχθρους σου υποποδιον των ποδων σου

³⁵ Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

³⁶ ασφαλως ουν γινωσκετω πας οικος ισραηλ οτι και κυριον αυτον και χριστον εποιησεν ο θεος τουτον τον ιησουν ον υμεις εσταυρωσατε

³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Back to 2 Peter.  We can see that Peter is discussing the end of the world and comments in verse 15 that Paul had also written to them about these things. 

Christian apologists hone in on the fact that in verse 16 Peter compares Paul’s writing to “other scriptures”.  But what is the context of this phrase? 

In verse 15, Peter calls Paul a “beloved brother”, which is how he would refer to anyone who was a fellow believer.  In fact, Paul uses this exact phrase when referring to some of the believers.

Ephesians 6:21

21 Ινα δὲ εἰδῆτε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ κατ᾿ ἐμέ, τί πράσσω, πάντα ὑμῖν γνωρίσει Τυχικὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος ἐν Κυρίῳ,

21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

Colossians 4:7

7 Τὰ κατ᾿ ἐμὲ πάντα γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος καὶ σύνδουλος ἐν Κυρίῳ,

7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Colossians 4:9

9 σὺν ᾿Ονησίμῳ τῷ πιστῷ καὶ ἀγαπητῷ ἀδελφῷ, ὅς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν· πάντα ὑμῖν γνωριοῦσι τὰ ὧδε.

9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Philemon 1:16

16 οὐκέτι ὡς δοῦλον, ἀλλ᾿ ὑπὲρ δοῦλον, ἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν, μάλιστα ἐμοί, πόσῳ δὲ μᾶλλον σοὶ καὶ ἐν σαρκὶ καὶ ἐν Κυρίῳ.

16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

However, Paul consistently refers to himself as an apostle of Christ in his letters.  Peter seems to be ignoring Paul’s claim to be an apostle and is simply referring to him as “beloved brother”. 

Peter also says that Paul has written “according to the wisdom given unto him”, not according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  God gives all of us wisdom.  Your average cleric preaches “according to the wisdom given unto him”.  But our writings cannot possibly considered Scripture unless they can be shown to be inspired.  This can be through direct revelation, such as God gave to the prophets, or through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which is a little harder to determine.  While Peter isn’t directly denying that Paul’s writings are inspired, he avoids acknowledging it.

Verse 16 says that there are many things in Paul’s writings that are many things that are difficult to understand.  He says that many unlearned and unstable people twist these things to their own destruction.  These are not misunderstandings of minor doctrines.  These false doctrines that they derive from Paul’s writings are “to their own destruction”.  And in verse 17 Peter tells them that he is warning them to “beware lest ye also,being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness”.  These are basic, foundational false doctrines that Christians were getting from Paul’s writings in Peter’s day.

What are they unlearned in?  Peter answers that in verse 17.  He says that, now that they have been warned, they should grow in the knowledge of Jesus.  Peter places Jesus’s teachings in authority above Paul’s writings.  Peter says that they must grow in the knowledge of Jesus in order to keep from being led away by false doctrines derived from Paul’s writings.  Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 that he came to fulfill the “Law and the Prophets” which refers to the books of Moses (Law or Torah) and the writings of the Old Testament prophets.  So, we must study the Old Testament to understand what Jesus was fulfilling and we must understand Jesus’s teachings in order to not be led astray by teachings derived from Paul’s writings.

Now, which New Testament author do modern Christians love to quote the most, especially in any discussion on salvation?  Paul!  How do they know they aren’t twisting Paul’s writings like the Christians who were around when Peter was still alive?  So much of modern Christian doctrine is derived from Paul’s writings alone.  When they address Jesus’s teachings, they try to adjust Jesus’s teachings to fit their interpretation of Paul. 

I will give you an example.  Many Christians derive from Paul’s writings that we are under Grace and are free from the Law.  Jesus says this.

Matthew 5:17-20

¹⁷ μη νομισητε οτι ηλθον καταλυσαι τον νομον η τους προφητας ουκ ηλθον καταλυσαι αλλα πληρωσαι

¹⁷ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

¹⁸ αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως [αν] παντα γενηται

¹⁸ For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

¹⁹ ος εαν ουν λυση μιαν των εντολων τουτων των ελαχιστων και διδαξη ουτως τους ανθρωπους ελαχιστος κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων ος δ αν ποιηση και διδαξη ουτος μεγας κληθησεται εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων

¹⁹ Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

²⁰ λεγω γαρ υμιν οτι εαν μη περισσευση υμων η δικαιοσυνη πλειον των γραμματεων και φαρισαιων ου μη εισελθητε εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων

²⁰ For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Many Christians take this passage and say try to find ways to interpret it to fit their understanding of Paul’s writings.  Thus they use Paul to interpret Jesus.  This is the exact opposite of what Peter says to do.  Peter says that you must interpret Paul through the lens of Jesus’s teachings “lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness”.

We must also keep in mind that the word translated as “scriptures” in verse 16 is “γραφας”, which literally means “writings”.  It is consistently used in the New Testament to refer to what we call “Scripture”, but that is something we would expect considering the New Testament is written on religious themes.  Why would it spend much time talking about writings that were not sacred?  I believe that the context of this verse indicates that we should simply interpret it by the literal meaning of “writings”, not the interpreted meaning of “scriptures”.

For those who want to insist that “γραφας” can only refer to the Bible, let’s look at Jesus’s answer to the Sadducees. 

Matthew 22:29-30

²⁹ αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις πλανασθε μη ειδοτες τας γραφας μηδε την δυναμιν του θεου

²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

³⁰ εν γαρ τη αναστασει ουτε γαμουσιν ουτε γαμιζονται αλλ ως αγγελοι εν τω ουρανω εισιν

³⁰ For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Luke 20:34-36

³⁴ και ειπεν αυτοις ο ιησους οι υιοι του αιωνος τουτου γαμουσιν και γαμισκονται

³⁴ And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

³⁵ οι δε καταξιωθεντες του αιωνος εκεινου τυχειν και της αναστασεως της εκ νεκρων ουτε γαμουσιν ουτε γαμιζονται

³⁵ But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

³⁶ ουδε γαρ αποθανειν ετι δυνανται ισαγγελοι γαρ εισιν και υιοι εισιν θεου της αναστασεως υιοι οντες

³⁶ Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Jesus says these concepts are in the “γραφας”, but it is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible.  But these concepts are in the Book of Enoch, which was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, so we know it predates the New Testament.  Before I show you the quote, I would like to point out that, in the Luke quote, Jesus links the fact that they don’t marry to the fact that they cannot die any more.  In Genesis 1:28, God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply in order to replenish the earth, since there were only two of them to start with.  What did God intend to happen after the earth was replenished?  Also, Genesis indicates that man would only stay alive as long as he continued to eat from the Tree of Life.  He was not naturally immortal.  We physically die because we cannot eat from the Tree of Life.  If a sinner ate from the Tree of Life, he would not physically die despite the fact that he was a sinner.

Genesis 3:22-24

ויאמר יהוה אלהים הן האדם היה כאחד ממנו לדעת טוב ורע ועתה פן־ישׁלח ידו ולקח גם מעץ החיים ואכל וחי לעלם

²² And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

  וישׁלחהו יהוה אלהים מגן־עדן לעבד את־האדמה אשׁר לקח משׁם

²³ Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

ויגרשׁ את־האדם וישׁכן מקדם לגן־עדן את־הכרבים ואת להט החרב המתהפכת לשׁמר את־דרך עץ החיים

²⁴ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Here is what the Book of Enoch says in chapter 15:3-7, where God is sending a message to the angels described in Genesis 6:1-4, Jude 1:6-7, 2 Peter 2:4-5 & 1 Corinthians 11:5, 10.

3. Why have ye left the high, holy, and everlasting heaven, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of men, and taken wives unto yourselves, and acted like the children of earth, and begotten giants as sons? 4. While ye were spiritual, holy, having eternal life, ye defiled yourselves with women, and with the blood of flesh have begotten children, and have lusted after the blood of men, and have produced flesh and blood as they produce who die and are destroyed. 5. Therefore I have given them wives that they might impregnate them and children be born by them, as it is done on earth. 6. Ye were formerly spiritual, living an eternal life without death to all the generations of the world. 7. Therefore I have not made for you any wives, for spiritual beings have their home in heaven.

Thus, we must look outside the Bible to find the “γραφας” (scriptures) that Jesus was referring to.  All Christian denominations, except the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, reject the Book of Enoch as scripture, yet so many Christians insist that “γραφας” must mean that Paul's writings are scripture.  But, even if Christians did accept the Book of Enoch as scripture, we must look at the context of 2 Peter 3 to see if Peter intends “γραφας” to mean "scriptures" in this instance.

Peter was writing to a community that highly respected Paul and was probably founded by Paul.  The context seems to indicate that Peter is actually trying to nudge them away from a dependence on Paul’s teachings and direct them to focus more on what Jesus taught.  If Peter directly told them to ignore Paul, that would have been difficult for them to accept. Instead, Peter encourages them to focus on Jesus's teachings.

The Bible clearly indicates that Peter, James and the other believers who founded the Jesus movement often disagreed with Paul and his teachings.  Here is an example.

Galatians 2:9-21

⁹ και γνοντες την χαριν την δοθεισαν μοι ιακωβος και κηφας και ιωαννης οι δοκουντες στυλοι ειναι δεξιας εδωκαν εμοι και βαρναβα κοινωνιας ινα ημεις εις τα εθνη αυτοι δε εις την περιτομην

⁹ And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

¹⁰ μονον των πτωχων ινα μνημονευωμεν ο και εσπουδασα αυτο τουτο ποιησαι

¹⁰ Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

¹¹ οτε δε ηλθεν κηφας εις αντιοχειαν κατα προσωπον αυτω αντεστην οτι κατεγνωσμενος ην

¹¹ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

¹² προ του γαρ ελθειν τινας απο ιακωβου μετα των εθνων συνησθιεν οτε δε ηλθον υπεστελλεν και αφωριζεν εαυτον φοβουμενος τους εκ περιτομης

¹² For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

¹³ και συνυπεκριθησαν αυτω [και] οι λοιποι ιουδαιοι ωστε και βαρναβας συναπηχθη αυτων τη υποκρισει

¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

¹⁴ αλλ οτε ειδον οτι ουκ ορθοποδουσιν προς την αληθειαν του ευαγγελιου ειπον τω κηφα εμπροσθεν παντων ει συ ιουδαιος υπαρχων εθνικως και ουκ ιουδαικως ζης πως τα εθνη αναγκαζεις ιουδαιζειν

¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

¹⁵ ημεις φυσει ιουδαιοι και ουκ εξ εθνων αμαρτωλοι

¹⁵ We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

¹⁶ ειδοτες δε οτι ου δικαιουται ανθρωπος εξ εργων νομου εαν μη δια πιστεως χριστου ιησου και ημεις εις χριστον ιησουν επιστευσαμεν ινα δικαιωθωμεν εκ πιστεως χριστου και ουκ εξ εργων νομου οτι εξ εργων νομου ου δικαιωθησεται πασα σαρξ

¹⁶ Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

¹⁷ ει δε ζητουντες δικαιωθηναι εν χριστω ευρεθημεν και αυτοι αμαρτωλοι αρα χριστος αμαρτιας διακονος μη γενοιτο

¹⁷ But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

¹⁸ ει γαρ α κατελυσα ταυτα παλιν οικοδομω παραβατην εμαυτον συνιστανω

¹⁸ For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

¹⁹ εγω γαρ δια νομου νομω απεθανον ινα θεω ζησω

¹⁹ For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

²⁰ χριστω συνεσταυρωμαι ζω δε ουκετι εγω ζη δε εν εμοι χριστος ο δε νυν ζω εν σαρκι εν πιστει ζω τη του υιου του θεου του αγαπησαντος με και παραδοντος εαυτον υπερ εμου

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

²¹ ουκ αθετω την χαριν του θεου ει γαρ δια νομου δικαιοσυνη αρα χριστος δωρεαν απεθανεν

²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

First, it should be very clear that Paul is trying to convince the Galatians that he is right and the leaders of the church (James, Peter, etc.) are wrong.  Think about it.  Who would have the higher authority, Jesus’s disciples (such as Peter) and family (such as James), or Paul?  When did Jesus ever say that Paul was the rock on which he would build the church?

Matthew 16:18

¹⁸ καγω δε σοι λεγω οτι συ ει πετρος και επι ταυτη τη πετρα οικοδομησω μου την εκκλησιαν και πυλαι αδου ου κατισχυσουσιν αυτης

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

We should keep this in mind when we read Paul claims in verse 9 that Peter (a.k.a. Cephas), James and John only “seemed to be pillars”.   Paul also claimed that “they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision”.  This statement should be evaluated through the lens of Peter’s statement.

Acts 15:7

⁷ πολλης δε ζητησεως γενομενης αναστας πετρος ειπεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι υμεις επιστασθε οτι αφ ημερων αρχαιων εν υμιν εξελεξατο ο θεος δια του στοματος μου ακουσαι τα εθνη τον λογον του ευαγγελιου και πιστευσαι

  ⁷ And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

In verse 16 Paul states that, ” Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

But James says this.

James 2:17-26

¹⁷ ουτως και η πιστις εαν μη εχη εργα νεκρα εστιν καθ εαυτην

¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

¹⁸ αλλ ερει τις συ πιστιν εχεις καγω εργα εχω δειξον μοι την πιστιν σου χωρις των εργων καγω σοι δειξω εκ των εργων μου την πιστιν

¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

¹⁹ συ πιστευεις οτι εις θεος εστιν καλως ποιεις και τα δαιμονια πιστευουσιν και φρισσουσιν

¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

²⁰ θελεις δε γνωναι ω ανθρωπε κενε οτι η πιστις χωρις των εργων αργη εστιν

²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

²¹ αβρααμ ο πατηρ ημων ουκ εξ εργων εδικαιωθη ανενεγκας ισαακ τον υιον αυτου επι το θυσιαστηριον

²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

²² βλεπεις οτι η πιστις συνηργει τοις εργοις αυτου και εκ των εργων η πιστις ετελειωθη

²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

²³ και επληρωθη η γραφη η λεγουσα επιστευσεν δε αβρααμ τω θεω και ελογισθη αυτω εις δικαιοσυνην και φιλος θεου εκληθη

²³ And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

²⁴ ορατε οτι εξ εργων δικαιουται ανθρωπος και ουκ εκ πιστεως μονον

²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

²⁵ ομοιως δε και ρααβ η πορνη ουκ εξ εργων εδικαιωθη υποδεξαμενη τους αγγελους και ετερα οδω εκβαλουσα

²⁵ Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

²⁶ ωσπερ το σωμα χωρις πνευματος νεκρον εστιν ουτως και η πιστις χωρις εργων νεκρα εστιν

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Jesus never said that Paul was the final authority on doctrine.  Jesus’s disciples and family often disagreed with him.  Peter warns us that Christians, even then, often came up with false doctrines when they used Paul as their primary source.  Peter warned them to base their doctrines on Jesus’s teachings so that they wouldn't be led astray. 

We should base our doctrines on what God revealed through Jesus and the prophets.  These have the primary authority.  Jesus’s disciples and family and Paul are not infallible and never claimed to be. 

The Book of Revelation tells us that the twelve foundations of the Holy City in the New Earth are named after the 12 apostles (11 disciples who remained faithful to Jesus + Matthias.  See Acts 1:21-26).

Revelation 21:14

¹⁴ και το τειχος της πολεως εχων θεμελιους δωδεκα και επ αυτων δωδεκα ονοματα των δωδεκα αποστολων του αρνιου

¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Biblically, they have a higher authority than Paul.  And James, who was Jesus’s brother and head of the church, also had a higher authority than Paul. 

Christians today base so many of their doctrines on Paul’s teachings and they reinterpret the rest of the Bible to fit their interpretation of Paul.  This is the opposite of what Peter tells them to do. 

Paul was a missionary, not a prophet.  If anything we read in his epistles seems to contradict the prophets, then we must assume that the prophet is correct and our interpretation of Paul, or Paul himself, is in error.

I know this is difficult for most Christians who revere Paul and rely on him for so much doctrine.  But, should we really rely so much on his writings when Peter gives us a big disclaimer that many people use his writings “unto their own destruction”?  Is there any other Biblical author that the Bible gives this kind of disclaimer to?

Look at what the Bible claims for itself, not what people claim for it.