Jesus’ words were simple. When He taught, He didn’t use the big words and lofty thought patterns of the educated people. Rather, He spoke in koine Greek – the language of the common people. He used words and phrases that the average, uneducated person on the street could understand.

Jesus’ teachings were simple too: Love your neighbor, follow me, abide in me, keep my commandments (Matt. 22:39; Matt. 16:24; John 15:4, 10).

The other New Testament writers taught simply as well: Love one another, obey your leaders, live a godly life, pray without ceasing, do not grieve the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:23; Heb. 13:17; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Thess. 5:17; Eph. 4:30).

However, not everyone recognized the value of these simple teachings. Over time, writers began to speculate what Jesus and the apostles “really meant,” sometimes adding to Scripture or ignoring its clear teachings. Scholars of various denominations began writing systematic theologies of key doctrines in Scripture. In the process, they often reinterpreted its simple teachings in order to fit their own theology. This process of speculation and reinterpretation began in the second century and has continued for the past two thousand years. As a result, many of the doctrines presented by theological “experts” today completely contradict the clear teachings of Scripture. In fact, many of these doctrines existed in the first century; and Jesus, the apostles, and the early Christians specifically preached against them.

Unfortunately, nearly all study Bibles and modern reference materials are products of these theological biases. The study notes often fail to present the clear meaning of the text, instead detailing the views of the author or other prominent theologians. While some of the notes may be helpful, others are misleading, inaccurate, and even heretical.

How can we return to the simple teachings of Jesus without allowing manmade opinions to cloud our understanding? First, read the Bible by itself – without any commentaries or reference materials – and ask yourself, “What does it say?” In most cases, what it says is exactly what it means.

Secondly, if you have questions about a passage or a teaching in Scripture, refer to the writings of the early Christians. Many of these early believers were heroes of the faith who learned either directly or indirectly from the apostles. If they had questions, they could ask Peter, Paul, or John. What a privilege! Resources such as The Pilgrim Road, Secrets of the Kingdom Life, The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down, and A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs summarize the teachings of the early Christians.

Cyprian, an early Christian writer from Carthage, North Africa, wrote, “When the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, came unto all, He gathered alike the learned and unlearned, and He proclaimed to [male and female] and [to] every age the precepts of salvation. He made a large summary of His teachings, that the memory of the scholars might not be burdened with celestial learning, but might quickly learn what was necessary to a simple faith.”

As you study the Bible, may you too come to a simple faith in Jesus by learning from Him, obeying His teachings, and allowing His words to change your life.