The Bible is Spiritual: Why Understanding Requires the Spirit

Let’s be honest—sometimes the Bible feels hard to understand. Some passages are puzzling. Some doctrines feel complex. Even Peter admitted this: “There are some things in [Paul’s letters] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction” (2 Pet. 3:16).

But note what Peter says—and doesn’t say. He says some things are hard to understand, not impossible. And he doesn’t fault Scripture. He blames those who twist it. The barrier is never the Bible itself. The issue is deeper. The Bible is spiritual—and it requires spiritual eyes to see.

The ability to understand Scripture rightly is more a moral and spiritual issue than an intellectual one. Paul says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God… and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). The problem isn’t IQ—it’s pride, rebellion, laziness, or unbelief. The Bible is clear, but sin makes us blind to its light.

Jesus addressed this often. He said to His opponents, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word” (Jn. 8:43). And to His disciples: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Lk. 24:25). The problem isn’t the message—it’s the heart of the hearer.

This is why James urges us to receive the Word with humility (Ja. 1:21), and why Paul prays that the “eyes of your hearts” would be enlightened (Eph. 1:18). Because the Bible is spiritual, we cannot rightly understand it without the help of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who inspired the Scriptures illuminates them to those who believe (2 Pet. 1:21).

Paul writes, “We have received… the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God” (1 Cor. 2:12). The Spirit doesn’t give us new revelation—He gives us light to see what’s already there. He helps us behold wondrous things in God’s Word (Ps. 119:18). Without Him, even the clearest truth seems foolish. With Him, what was once veiled becomes vivid.

Even the disciples struggled at times—not because Jesus was unclear, but because they were immature or unbelieving (Mk. 4:10-13; Lk. 18:34). Later, things became clearer through the resurrection and the Spirit (Jn. 2:22; 12:16).

The early church wrestled with difficult issues too—like the inclusion of the Gentiles (Acts 15) or the doctrine of justification (Gal. 2). And throughout history, doctrinal disagreements have arisen. But these don’t undermine Scripture’s clarity—they reveal our need for faithful interpretation, Spirit-enabled humility, and time spent in the Word.

So why do we get it wrong? Scripture gives us several reasons: spiritual blindness (2 Cor. 4:4), lack of faith (Heb. 11:6), pride (Matt. 22:29), twisting the text (2 Pet. 3:16), or neglect (Heb. 5:12). The problem isn’t the Bible. It’s us.

But here’s the good news: the Spirit helps those who seek. God delights to give wisdom to those who ask in faith (Ja. 1:5-6). And His Word never fails to accomplish His purpose (Isa. 55:10-11).

The clarity of Scripture doesn’t mean all parts are equally easy. But it does mean that everything we need for salvation, godliness, and faithful living is set forth clearly for those who seek with faith and humility.

So don’t throw up your hands and say, “The Bible is too hard.” Throw yourself before God and pray, “Open my eyes” (Ps. 119:18). And He will. If the Bible is spiritual, approach it spiritually. Not casually, pridefully, or skeptically—but with faith, reverence, and dependence. Ask the Lord for help. Read in community. Submit your heart. Obey what you understand. Trust that what is unclear today may become clear tomorrow as you grow in grace.

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