Rule 1: Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible.
MILLER’S PROOFS (texts which demonstrate the Bible principles in support of this rule)
Matthew 5:18 “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.”
My Proofs
Matthew 5:19 “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.”
Luke 16:10 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4 “…man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Matthew 18:16 , 2 Corinthians 13:1 “…in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
Note: Webster’s 1828 Dictionary definition of the word “bearing” is – supporting; carrying; producing
My Comments
God cares about the details and the humble things, as you can see by these proof texts. When you study you must pay attention to every word, discerning how every word bears on the others. Every word within each text must lend its support to the overall understanding of any particular subject presented in God’s Word. Every word has an influence on the principles and truths presented in the Bible.
See also Rule 4, which is similar. As every word has a bearing upon the sentence, so each sentence has a bearing upon the subject and thus the greater context of the chapter
Spirit of Prophecy Support
“1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible; …
The above is a portion of these rules; and in our study of the Bible we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth.”
– The Review and Herald {RH, November 25, 1884 par. 24-25}
“Obedience to every word that proceeds from the mouth of God is required. Had Christ conceded one jot or tittle of this, the hostility of Satan and his army would not have burst upon Him with irrepressible fury. He was able to perform marvelous works, and had He but given some license to sin, had He permitted evil passions to go unrebuked, men would have rendered Him their homage. But He rebuked all sin and hypocrisy, and men said, He is an impostor.”
– The Signs of the Times {ST, April 14, 1898 par. 5}
“When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth. The types of the Jewish economy are made plain by the gospel. Every principle in the word of God has its place, every fact its bearing. And the complete structure, in design and execution, bears testimony to its Author. Such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.”
– Education, p. 123 par. 3 {Ed 123.3}
“A mere superficial reading of the inspired word will be of little advantage; for every statement made in the sacred pages requires thoughtful contemplation. It is true that some passages do not require as earnest concentration as do others; for their meaning is more evident. But the student of the word of God should seek to understand the bearing of one passage upon another until the chain of truth is revealed to his vision. As veins of precious ore are hidden beneath the surface of the earth, so spiritual riches are concealed in the passages of Holy Writ, and it requires mental effort and prayerful attention to discover the hidden meaning of the word of God. Let every student who values the heavenly treasure put to the stretch his mental and spiritual powers, and sink the shaft deep into the mine of truth, that he may obtain the celestial gold, that wisdom which will make him wise unto salvation.”
– The Review and Herald {RH, November 10, 1891 par. 5}
“It was Christ who spoke the law on Mount Sinai, and he knew the bearing of all its precepts, the glory and majesty of the law of heaven. In his sermon on the mount, Christ defines the law, and seeks to inculcate on the minds of his hearers the far-reaching claims of the precepts of Jehovah. His instructions came as a new revelation to the people; and the teachers of the law, the scribes and the Pharisees, as well as the common people, were astonished at his doctrine. The words of Christ were not new, and yet they came with the force of revelation; for they presented the truth in its proper light, and not in the light in which the teachers had set it before the people. He showed no regard for the traditions and commandments of men, but opened the eyes of their understanding to behold wondrous things out of the law of God, which is the foundation of his throne from the beginning of the world; and as long as the heavens and the earth remain, through the ceaseless ages of eternity, it will be the great standard of righteousness, holy and just and good.”
– The Review and Herald {RH, November 28, 1893 par. 4}
“When he [William Miller] found anything obscure, it was his custom to compare it with every other text which seemed to have any reference to the matter under consideration. Every word was permitted to have its proper bearing upon the subject of the text, and if his view of it harmonized with every collateral passage, it ceased to be a difficulty. Thus whenever he met with a passage hard to be understood, he found an explanation in some other portion of the Scriptures. As he studied with earnest prayer for divine enlightenment, that which had before appeared dark to his understanding was made clear. He experienced the truth of the psalmist’s words, “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” [Psalm 119:130.]”
– The Great Controversy, p. 320 par. 1 {GC 320.1}
References
Bible, King James Version
Quotes taken from the Ellen G. White Writings, Comprehensive Research Edition 2008 CD
historyandprophecy.wordpress.com 