The Definition of "Is"

I did not sit down this morning to write another political blog, but as I thought about my reading in Paul’s letter to the Romans, Bill Clinton came to mind when I realized how important the meaning of little words can be. In Romans 11:26, Paul said, “And so all Israel will be saved.” One can toy with the definition of the word “so” in much the same way Bill Clinton did with “is” back in 1998. The words “all” and “Israel” can also be treated to delicate parsing. The only way to define any word properly is to define it in context.

I will begin with Israel. This is not a little word, and its meaning in Scripture varies somewhat. The context of Paul’s letter to the Gentiles in Rome is crucial to defining “Israel” in Romans 11:26. Back in chapter 9, where the context of Paul’s discussion begins, he clearly defines Israel as something other than simply a person descended from Abraham. (See Romans 9:6-8) He proceeds to make the point that even among those directly descended from Abraham, God made distinctions as to who was a true heir of the promise. Paul goes further to prove that even among the chosen genetic line, only those who responded by faith were considered “Israel.” This follows logically from his discussion back in chapter 4 about Abraham being justified by faith alone.

Because “Israel” has a specific meaning that refers only to those found faithful to God, one must consider what the word “all” means as Paul used it. To insist that he was including everyone born in the line of Abraham would be to contradict the point he was making in chapters 4-11. Given Paul’s context, it is perfectly reasonable to think he meant all those who qualify as Israel by his definition, which does not have a genetic qualifier, but a spiritual one. All the faithful, Jew or Gentile, will be saved.

This brings us to the little word that started my thinking: so. According to the Greek dictionary, “so” is best translated as “in this manner.” We might say, “Like so” meaning “like this.” The “manner” to which Paul referred was the qualifier of faith. By faith, he asserts, all who are chosen by God will be saved whether born in Abraham’s line or not. Jews and Gentiles alike are saved in the same manner: by faith. “All Israel” will be saved by faith, but not by the Jewish law; this has been Paul’s theme for several chapters. To make Romans 11:26 mean that all ethnic Jews will be saved someday is preposterous.

So I say parodying Bill Clinton, it depends on your definition of “all.” I have heard people say, “All means all, and that’s all all means.” If language were simplistic, and words did not vary in meaning due to contextual usage, that would be true. But it’s not true. “All” has various shades of meaning that must be determined by the context in which it is used. I am not suggesting that some Bible interpreters are telling the truth with the intent to deceive; I am saying that it is imperative that Bible interpretation relies on exegesis rather than eisegesis; we must “read out” what is in Scripture rather than “read into” a passage what we want it to say to support a presupposition.

It is normal human behavior to want to fit things into a scheme we can understand. The problem comes when our attempt to make something fit ends up violating proper principles of interpretation. Michael Heiser makes this point dramatically in his book, Unseen Realm, and his other writings. While earning his M.A. and Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies, he interpreted the Old Testament using the popular paradigm until someone caused him to see the fault in the pattern he had been using. Correcting the fault brought new insight comparable to having new revelation from God.

The same thing can happen in the rest of our lives. People, political parties, or the police can be misunderstood when viewed through a faulty system of interpretation. You spend years thinking someone hates you only to discover that they are just introverted and can’t express themselves. Or you think Republicans are the party of rich people until you discover that conservative economic policies actually benefit those at every income level. Or you are scared of the police because you have been taught that they are evil, and then you realize that most of them are decent people trying their best to do an incredibly difficult, dangerous public service.

The key to understanding anything is not mental or emotional; it is spiritual. There is only one viewpoint that will flawlessly give us the correct perspective. We must try to see everything as God sees it. As believers, we have the great blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit to aid us in getting God’s perspective. Obviously, we need the Spirit’s help to interpret Scripture, but it is equally important to seek His guidance in all of life. God knows the correct definition of every word ever written and the true motivation behind every action. Ask Him for understanding. James 1:5 says He will always come through with the correct answer. After all, He is the God Who Is.