Contradictions: Why does it seem there are so many in the Bible?

Have you ever heard the comment…“the Bible is just too hard to understand because of all the contradictions?” It doesn’t take much reading to realize why people say that and feel that way.  There have been many who have struggled with this.  Yes, on the surface there appears to be many contradictions.  I could cite MANY examples of this but here in this article are a few of the more obvious ones.  But let me go ahead and say right here on the front end of this article that I believe there are NO actual contradictions in Bible, not even one.  But how is it that I can say that when there are so many passages of Scripture that can cause people to come to a different conclusion about that? Let’s look at some of them—

Matthew 18:19

¹⁹ Again I [Jesus] say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. [Emphasis added]

With promises like this one, why is it that so often the requests of sincere Bible-believing Christians are not fulfilled? If you’ve not experienced that yourself, it is probably only because you haven’t done all that much praying about specific situations.

Why do some places in the Bible talk about personal works being a part of the means to one’s salvation and entrance into God’s kingdom but in other places salvation is said to be by grace through FAITH ALONE?

James 2:24

²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and NOT by faith only. [Emphasis added]

But doesn’t the same Bible also tell us something completely different?

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]

Could that be stated any clearer? Doesn’t that clearly say personal or “religious” works on our part have NOTHING to do with gaining salvation? Isn’t that even stated multiple times in the Bible?

Romans 4:4-5

⁴ Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]

That’s just two I’ve named, but I assure you I could have listed others.

Have you noticed that the Bible tells us that all our sins have been forgiven?

Ephesians 1:7

⁷ In whom [speaking of Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [Emphasis added]

The Bible plainly says our sins are not held against us because they were all held against Christ on the cross of Calvary.

2 Corinthians 5:19

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [Emphasis added]

Doesn’t even the natural law of double jeopardy tell us this makes perfect sense—if they were all held against Christ, they can’t also be held against us or anyone else? Isn’t this why the Bible is saying all mankind’s sins have been forgiven.

1 John 2:2

² And he [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [Emphasis added]

Since the sins were paid for fully, doesn’t that then mean that they’re forgiven? If a debt is paid off, isn’t the debt then cancelled or forgiven? 

1 Timothy 2:5-6

⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

⁶ Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [Emphasis added]

Are we to believe God will judge us for sins that have already been judged and paid for by Christ?  Didn’t the cross of Christ accomplish something wonderful even if no one believes it? Don’t unbelievers have to believe what Jesus Christ accomplished regarding their sins through His death, burial, and resurrection to get saved? For more information about these things, please see my articles on this website about it.  Here are the links to two of many.

Jesus Christ: For whom did He die?

Salvation:  Is it really a gift?

So, why are there also places in the Bible that clearly say people must confess their sins to be forgiven?  I was once taught that some were to do with our “positional forgiveness” and others, this next verse I’ll mention, was to do with our “experiential forgiveness.” But I eventually came to realize that such beliefs are not taught in the Bible.  If you’d like to read an article about that, I have one on this website.  Here’s the link to it—

Confession:  Is this the means to the filling of the Holy Spirit?

1 John 1:9

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [Emphasis added]

The Bible even says we must forgive others of their sins if we’re to be forgiven of ours.  What are we to think of that when passages tell us they’ve all already been forgiven?

Matthew 6:14-15

¹⁴ For IF ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

¹⁵ But if ye forgive NOT men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [Emphasis added]

Then we also have some interesting verses that speak of the security of one’s salvation.  Why do some Bible verses seem to indicate that one’s salvation is not forever secure, but others do?

Matthew 24:11-13

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

¹³ But he that shall ENDURE UNTO THE END, the same shall be saved. [Emphasis added]

Obviously, this is saying that those who don’t “endure unto the end” won’t be saved.  That all seems clear to me, doesn’t it to you?  Note what the author of the book of Hebrews says about this.

Hebrews 6:4-6

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

⁵ And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

⁶ If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. [Emphasis added]

So, is our salvation secure or is it not.  These verses in Matthew and Hebrews obviously say one’s salvation is not secured forever.  But the Bible also gives us other verses that tell us our salvation IS perfectly secure forever.  Are we free to pick whichever of these two different teachings we’re to accept, or what?

Romans 8:38-39

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Emphasis added]

I have an article about the security of our salvation on this website.  I hope you’ll be sure to read it.  Here’s the link to it—

Salvation:  How secure is yours?

Scripture tells us we need not worry about our sins being held against us because they’ve all been held against Christ and forgiven.

Ephesians 1:7

⁷ In [EN = in or BY (in this case)] whom [speaking of Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [Emphasis added]

This next command in Scripture I’ll mention has been tried but it didn’t work out well for those who made the application.  Their argument or justification for what they did was based on some commands in the Bible.  They assumed they needed to be obedient and apply them because of what Jesus said.  Here’s what He said—

Luke 12:33-34

³³ Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [Emphasis added]

It wasn’t just the apostles who were being told to do this; it was everyone.

Luke 18:22

²² Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. [Emphasis added]

Is this a part of what it means to “follow Jesus” today? There have been those who argued that it is and here’s some of the scripture they were quoting, wanting to follow the tradition of believers in the generation when all these things were first presented.

Acts 2:44-45

⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. [Emphasis added]

Acts 4:34-35

³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

³⁵ And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. [Emphasis added]

Truly this was a part of what serving Christ looked like in that time frame.  Should it “look like” that today? Are we to promote this communal living for believers today? One is in no position to argue that it isn’t “scriptural” and “in the Bible.”  You’ve just read the heart of what’s said about it.

Misunderstanding about this next item we’ll note still creates division in every generation.  Why does the Bible speak so clearly about baptism being a requirement for salvation? Here’s the heart of what it says—

Acts 2:36-38

³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [Emphasis added]

But if repentance and water baptism is here said to be required for salvation, why do we have Scripture out of the same Bible telling us otherwise.  Note what the apostle Paul says about it.

1 Corinthians 1:17

¹⁷ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. [Emphasis added]

Have you ever known any preachers who would make a statement like this? There are very few who would.

Doesn’t the Bible tell us there’s only ONE baptism today?

Ephesians 4:4-5

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, ONE baptism, [Emphasis added]

Doesn’t one mean ONE?

Isn’t it true that most preachers would never say water baptism was not a part of our gospel and our commission today? Wouldn’t they likely quote some Bible verses to you about that?

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [Emphasis added]

Then there’s also Mark’s account of what Christ told them—

Mark 16:15-20

¹⁵ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

¹⁶ He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

¹⁷ And these signs SHALL follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

²⁰ And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. [Emphasis added]

Then there are those who would claim the last part of that passage is not in the “best” Bible manuscripts.  But don’t we also have the record of all those miraculous things being done by believers in that time frame?

Still another question arises about all this. Why is so much made of tithing in churches now when the apostle Paul clearly and thoroughly discusses spiritual giving in two whole chapters of his second letter to the Corinthian church [II Corinthians 8-9] but never even mentions tithing in any of his thirteen epistles? Yet most people have never attended a Sunday morning worship service where tithing wasn’t mentioned.  Why is that? I assure you that even most preachers don’t have a correct answer for you.

Haven’t we seen enough in this study to realize that there are some things in the Bible that at lease seem contradictory.  No, the fact is, they ARE contradictory; they don’t just SEEM contradictory. Some different passages say different things about this.  But here’s still another item to consider— Why does the Bible in some places say that “signs” will occur prior to Jesus Christ’s return to the earth [like Luke 21:11 & Acts 2:19-20] but other places indicate that His return has always been something imminent, something that could occur at any moment? I’m not here going to get into all the details of all these things in this article because the items I have mentioned should be enough to make my point.  But if you still want more information about all this, please read my book about it—

22 Key Promises You Can Count On

If you follow the above link, you’ll see how you can order a copy of it.

One of the main reasons for my creation of this website was to answer questions such as these I’ve mentioned in this article.  I hope you’ll make good use of it.  If you’ll do that, you’ll find that you are about to go on an exciting adventure learning many wonderful things you’re taught in your Bible.  Like mining for gold, there’s lots of work involved, but the rewards can be fabulous.  In this case, the work is the kind that’s hardest of all because it involves thinking objectively.  In this case, the rewards have life-changing everlasting value.  My hope is that through this website you’ll get a lot of your own questions answered about things you read in your Bible.  

I hope you know more now about why I even called this work I now do 4Us2UsMinistries.  It is because all Scripture is FOR us, but it is not all TO us or ABOUT us. Without understanding and applying the principle of the “right division” of Scripture you’re going to be thoroughly confused about so many things.  Here’s the command we’ve been given about this—

2 Timothy 2:15

¹⁵ Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this important truth with you about “rightly dividing” the Scriptures! No, there’s not even one contradiction in the Bible but you must learn the meaning of this “rightly dividing” activity to see that clearly.  Our website—4Us2UsMinistries.com will help you with that.