Study Bibles can be helpful in understanding the written word and its meaning. However, they become dangerous when symbols and prophecies are explained according to the commentator’s personal views. The MacArthur Study Bible is one such commentary Bible.
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No Easy Undertaking
Read the Bible yourself and allow yourself to be guided as much as possible by the Holy Spirit, or should you rather rely on the commentaries (opinions) of others? A question that cannot be answered simply one way or the other. Fundamentally, every Christian should read the Bible themselves, preferably daily. At this point alone, it is crucial to distinguish which Bible translation to choose.
Even choosing the right Bible is difficult.
In German-speaking countries, there is a whole range of different Bible editions. If one examines the relevant descriptions of these editions, the focus is usually on the wording, the choice of words, and the comprehensibility in our everyday language today. What is not mentioned, however, are the sometimes significant differences in the written statements, added words, deleted phrases, or even entire verses.
Modern Bible editions in particular, especially those with “pleasant-sounding and promising titles,” are brimming with deviations from the original translations. The major difference lies in the source text used. It is a warning sign, actually a red flag, when the Roman Catholic Church, within the framework of ecumenism, declares a Bible translation “accepted” (more info – here).
Reliable Bibles, based on the Majority Text (textus receptus), include Luther 1912 (not 1984 or 2017), the “old” Elberfelder (1871), and Schlachter 2000. In English-speaking countries, the King James Version (KJV) is the most reliable (not NJKV).
The Risks of a Study Bible
One could fall into a trap if one purchases study Bibles that attempt to explain the written word. It can be downright perfidious if the study Bible is based on one of the reliable translations, but the commentaries or explanations lead in the wrong direction. This depends primarily on who the commentator is and which church they belong to.
One such study Bible, also available in German-speaking countries, is the “MacArthur Study Bible.” This Bible is based on the (reliable) Schlachter 2000. The catch, however, is that the commentaries reflect the view or interpretation of the commentary author. In this case, the evangelical John MacArthur.
Example: Fourth Commandment
Striking examples include the Fourth Commandment according to Exodus 20:8-11. It reads perfectly correctly in the Bible as it is written. But as an explanatory commentary on the Fourth Commandment (Sabbath), the following can be read (translated from German):
“Significantly, unlike the other Nine Commandments, the Sabbath commandment is not repeated in the New Testament. Rather, it is abrogated (cf. Col. 2:16, 17). Since the Sabbath belongs specifically to Israel under the Mosaic dispensation, it cannot apply to believers of the church age, for they live in a new dispensation.“
The reference to Colossians 2:16-17 reveals the following:
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.“
The exact opposite, however, is the case. The Sabbath commandment, or rather, the observance of the Sabbath, is the most frequently repeated commandment in the New Testament. This is not in the sense that it must still be observed, but rather that Jesus, His disciples, and the Jewish communities continue to observe this Sabbath. Observance of the 7th-day Sabbath was also the case in the later ministry of the apostles. Furthermore, it is not true that the “Nine Other Commandments” are mentioned. A mention of the Third Commandment (not to dishonor God’s name) is nowhere to be found.
The passage in Colossians 2:16-17 is one of the favorite arguments for declaring the weekly Sabbath on the 7th day of the week to be abolished. However, this passage isn’t even talking about God’s commandments, but rather about celebrations, ceremonies, and rituals that the (still) Gentiles also practiced when they visited the first Christian communities.
Commentator John MacArthur simply declares the Fourth Commandment, the Sabbath on the 7th day of the week, to be abolished. But this is by no means the case, for God’s Ten Commandments are unchanging, just as God’s character himself is. (Info).
Example: 1 Corinthians 16:2
A similar constellation arises from the Bible passage 1 Corinthians 16:2:
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.“
The commentary on this Bible passage reads:
“Evidence that the early church met on Sunday (Acts 20:7).“
That’s true. They gathered on the first day of the week to collect, among other things, gifts and donations from the congregation members. But does this (automatically) abolish the 7th-day Sabbath? Not at all, because this collection of money and organizational tasks were precisely impossible on the Sabbath, or rather, should have been avoided if possible. That’s why this collection of money was not done on the 7th, but on the 1st day of the week—a completely ordinary day.
Example of the first beast in Revelation 13
Another striking example of the more misleading commentaries of the MacArthur Study Bible is Revelation 13. The chapter describes two beasts: one coming out of the sea, the other out of the earth. (Info). For evangelical John MacArthur, the first beast is clearly an institution led by an antichristian individual, who has yet to appear.
His commentary on Revelation 13:2:
“13:1 a beast. Literally “a monster” (cf. 11:7). The term describes a wild, killing beast. In this context, the term represents both a person (the Antichrist) and his system (the world). The eventual satanic world empire will be inextricably linked to this demon-possessed man who leads it..“
The beast from the sea in Revelation 13 has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns on its horns. On its heads is a “name of blasphemy.” This beast (monster) is active for 42 months (1260 years) until one of its heads receives a fatal wound. It cannot be a merely future entity. Rather, this beast has long been active and can be clearly identified. (Info).
Example explanation of the symbol “Sea”
The very questionable comment about the explanation of what the sea symbolizes is particularly clear.
“The sea represents the abyss, the den of demons“
This couldn’t be more wrong. All you need to do is read the Bible, because it itself explains what the sea (water, a great body of water) means, as in Revelation 17:15:
“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.“
Example of historical total loss
Of historical interest is the MacArthur Commentary on the Harlot of Babylon in Revelation 17. There, he wrote, among other things:
“Babylon the Great. This Babylon is distinct from the historical, geographical city of Babylon (which still existed at the time of John). The details of John’s vision do not apply to any historical city.“
John wrote Revelation around 90 AD. The kingdom of Babylon and its capital were conquered and completely destroyed by King Cyrus of Persia in 539 BC. Babylon was never rebuilt. It is therefore impossible that Babylon, or rather, Babylon, still existed at the time Revelation was written, and therefore it is equally impossible that John referred the statements in chapter 17 to ancient Babylon. MacArthur’s commentary is completely absurd and easily refuted.
MacArthur – A Dispensationalist
Evangelical John MacArthur, while vigorously speaking out against the excesses within charismatic communities, such as Pentecostals, himself advocates dispensationalism. That is, the separate treatment (“brideship”) of Christians and Jewish communities. This also includes a rapture of the church before the arrival of a time of tribulation. MacArthur also claims the establishment of an earthly kingdom of peace with a restored Israel in the land of Canaan.
In short: the entire program that the Jesuits Francis Ribera, Robert Cardinal Bellarmine, and Manuel Lacunca put into the world as part of the Counter-Reformation and to distract from the knowledge of the entire line of (early) Reformers (Info).
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, as he himself is staggering in error, MacArthur is at the service of the Church of Rome.
More such candidates
The (unfortunately) quite popular Scofield Bible by Cyrus I. Scofield demonstrates how dangerous blind trust in the opinion of a commentator can be. Based on the commentaries, this version fuels the erroneous belief that there is a pre-rapture of the Christian congregations before the arrival of a time of tribulation and the first appearance of an Antichrist. (Info).
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
