Why is the Bible hard to understand?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament itself shows that understanding God’s Word requires effort. Its books were written in very different times and cultures, and later readers—whether in Israel or today—have often needed help to bridge those gaps. The challenge is not that God spoke obscurely, but that His words are rooted in settings far removed from ours.
• Some of the more difficult parts for us are the laws and customs that defined Israel’s daily life. Instructions about clean and unclean foods (Leviticus 11), rules for lepers (Leviticus 13), or regulations for gleaning fields (Deuteronomy 24:19–22) made perfect sense in their world but are so far removed from ours that we have to put in a great deal of study to try to understand the cultural background. Likewise, practices such as arranged marriages (Genesis 24:2–4) or the redemption of land (Ruth 4) were woven into Israel’s social fabric, yet they feel foreign to us who have little direct experience with such customs.
• In addition to cultural differences, some genres create another layer of difficulty, especially poetry and prophecy, where imagery is vivid and layered. For example, the psalms speak of God as a fortress, shield, and shepherd (Psalm 18; Psalm 23), images that reveal His character but must be understood rightly to avoid distortion. The prophets likewise spoke in symbolic actions and visions—such as Ezekiel lying on his side (Ezekiel 4) or Daniel’s beasts (Daniel 7)—which require careful thought and, at times, left even the prophets themselves unsettled and searching for meaning (Daniel 7:15–16).
• Yet, even with such challenges, the Old Testament models a pursuit of understanding. For example, when Ezra read the Law to the returned exiles, the Levites “gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). Those who had been in exile for many years no longer understood Hebrew well, nor did they have a clear contextual understanding of early Israel since many had been born and raised in a completely different culture. To make sure they understood, the leaders were careful to translate and explain everything so that God's Word could be grasped and obeyed. From the beginning, clarity and understanding were part of God’s design for Scripture.

from the new testament

• The New Testament likewise shows that while God speaks clearly, His Word can be difficult to grasp without care. The writings were shaped by first-century life in Judea and across the Roman Empire, and those cultural settings often feel far removed from our own. As with the Old Testament, the challenge is not that God’s Word is unclear, but that its original context must be understood if we are to hear it rightly today.
• Some of the harder parts for us are the cultural details that were obvious to the first readers. For example, Paul’s instructions about head coverings (1 Corinthians 11:4–6), meat offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1–13), or holy days (Romans 14:5–6) tied directly into known Greco-Roman customs and Jewish practices. What made sense in their world feels foreign in ours, requiring us to study the background before discovering the principles that still apply.
• Even the earliest believers admitted that some teachings were not clear. Peter himself acknowledged that Paul’s letters “contain some things that are hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16 [NIV]). If an apostle could find difficulty in another apostle’s teaching, then we should not be surprised when we encounter passages that stretch our minds or leave us with questions. This does not mean Scripture is unreliable, but that it demands patience and humility from its readers.
• Because of these challenges, the New Testament consistently emphasizes the need for faithful teaching. Pastors were charged to explain sound doctrine, correct error, and pass on the truth clearly (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9). Additionally, the letters were all written to be read aloud in congregations to proclaim God’s Word to everyone. Thus, while the early church understood that some passages were difficult, they taught that God provided shepherds and teachers so that His people would be able to understand and obey.
• Though there are difficult passages in Scripture, the gospel stands out for its simplicity. The message that Christ died for sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day was declared as “of first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) and is easy enough for anyone to grasp, no matter their background or education. God ensured that the way of salvation is plain, demonstrating His desire for people of every nation and level of understanding might believe and be saved.

implications for today

Because Scripture can be both clear and challenging, approach it with humility and hope. Pray for God’s help, then read in context—paragraph, chapter, and book—so you can follow the author’s flow of thought. Let clearer passages guide your understanding of harder ones and always keep the original audience and setting in mind before applying the text to your own life. That is, ask yourself, “What did this mean to them?” Once you understand that, then you can trace that same meaning to how it applies to your life. And when something is unclear, don’t rush past it. Slow down, perhaps write down your questions, and keep reading until you can fill in the answers. Patient, consistent study will bear fruit over time.

Also, don’t study alone! God has given pastors and teachers to equip the church, and wise counsel helps us see what we might otherwise miss. Read and discuss Scripture with other mature Christians and lean on trustworthy resources, such as a solidly biblical commentary, that explain the context and show how different passages fit together. Test what you hear or read by comparing it with the whole of Scripture, and don’t be discouraged when some things remain difficult. Above all, remember that the purpose of study is not adding data into your head. The purpose is to know Christ better so that you can grow to be more like Him. With the Spirit’s help, and in the company of God’s people, may your studies grow your discernment, confidence, and joyful obedience!