---

1. We believe the hard things were left in the Bible for a lofty purpose. God wished us to think and reason. God had a great purpose to fulfil in the training of the race. Hence both in nature and in the Bible He allows perplexing questions. He can only discipline man's thinking by allowing him to be subject to perplexity. We believe, then, that God purposely left certain difficulties in the Bible to create diversity, to foster the thinking power, and to lead to the exercise of that charity that never faileth. Instead of codification and finality, there is always something to Cause fresh thought, to interest by its newer suggestions — something to quicken mind and lead the soul to listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit.

2. We have to recognise that danger arises from the presence of the "hard things" in the Book. Peter saw that, and said that the "unlearned and unstable" would "wrest them to their own destruction." Such, by a twist of an obscure text, would bolster up unbelief or find countenance for a pet idea. They will find even excuse for sin by twisting some word. The ill-tempered will quote, "Be ye angry," and leave out the words "sin not." The covetous man will defend greed by "Be diligent in business," and leave out "serving the Lord." The neglecter of worship will quote "The Sabbath was made for man," and go off to indulge in that which will not help him to keep holy the Sabbath day.

3. Some things in life as well as in the Book are "hard to understand."

(F. Hastings.)

---

---

KJV: 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;

WEB: Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;