Martin Luther Quotes

A prayerful study and experience are essential for a correct interpretation of the scriptures.

More people are troubled by what is plain in Scripture than by what is obscure.

A man may just as soon read the Scripture without eyes, as understand the spirit of it without grace.

The Lord knows that I could not open scripture; he must by his prophetical office open it unto me. So after that being unsatisfied in the thing, the Lord was pleased to bring this scripture out of the Hebrews.

The inspiration of the Bible depends upon the ignorance of the gentleman who reads it.

Among the children of God, it was they who were most able to rightly divide the word of truth.

I do not concern myself much with reading long commentary volumes designed to enlarge at length upon that which is found in the scriptures. Rather, I prefer to dwell with the source, tasting of the unadulterated waters of the fountain of truth - the word of God as he gave it and as it has been recorded in the books we accept as scripture.

To substitute Scripture for the self-revealing Spirit is to put the dead letter in the place of the living Word.

It is important to learn to understand in a historical text, a text from the past, the living Word of God, that is, to enter into prayer and thus read Sacred Scripture as a conversation with God.

Let me tell you something you already know: reading is critically important - especially for Christian believers. God, after all, reveals Himself to us in the written words of Scripture. Think about it: when we read the Word, we place ourselves in the very presence of God.

For a man solemnly to undertake the interpretation of any portion of Scripture without invocation of God, to be taught and instructed by His Spirit, is a high provocation of him; nor shall I expect the discovery of truth from any one who thus proudly engages in a work so much beyond his ability.

We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word of God than the Author of this Word, as He Himself has said, "They shall be all taught of God" (John 6:45). Hope for nothing from your own labors, from your own understanding: trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has experience.

The natural man "cannot see or discern that divine excellency in the Scripture, without an apprehension whereof no man can believe it aright to be the word of God."

Christians take Scriptures out of context to try to justify or to vindicate retreat and cowardice.

God's voice is still and quiet and easily buried under an avalanche of clamour.

During my days of deepest grief, in all of my shock, sorrow and struggle, I sat at the feet of God. I literally spent hours each day reading God's word, meditating on scripture and praying. I intentionally spent a significant amount of time being still before God.

The word for knowledge appears in the Koran more often than any other except God.

It is always a dangerous symptom when men pray to know what is their duty.

The Lord gave all Christians the authority to judge all doctrines, to judge freely what is right and what is wrong.

Make the study of the Torah your chief occupation; speak little, but accomplish much.

If you find the light of Scripture clearer than the light of reason (which also is given us by divine wisdom), you are doubtless right in your own conscience in making your reason yield. For my part, since I plainly confess that I do not understand the Scriptures, though I have spent many years upon them, and since I know that when once I have a firm proof I cannot by any course of thought come to doubt of it, I rest wholly upon that which my understanding commends to me, without any suspicion that I am deceived therein, or that the Scriptures, even though I do not search them, can speak against it. For one truth cannot conflict with another.

I try to remind myself not to go anywhere or do anything without asking for spiritual direction through prayer and meditation.

I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.

I prayed about it, and I do believe that the Lord, at least in my life, likes to use one-year contracts and not long-term contracts.

I found that there were things that God could reveal to me that I could never get myself physically.