This question is found twice in the New Testament, in Romans 4:3 and Galatians 4:30.  It is one the Protestant and Catholic religious communities readily give lip service, but do not adhere to in practice. One commonly hears those professing to follow the Bible make a statement like this, “ I know what the Bible says, I don’t think that is what it means.” That is unless a particular scripture happens to seem to support their doctrine or creed. It is a question that we should (yea must) ask about everything we teach and practice in our worship and service to God, if we would be pleasing and acceptable to God. Consider two scriptures: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)  “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  (Col. 3:17)

If this question was asked and fully complied with all the division and confusion in the religious world would cease immediately! In essence the “Christian” religious world is not divided over what the Bible teaches (says) but over what it does not say, over what man has added to or subtracted from the actual Word of God. God and His Word are not the causes of division in the religious world.

That brings us to the first and the major point in applying “what saith the scripture.”  What does the Bible (the scriptures) say about the completeness and authority of the scriptures. From near the beginning to the close of the Bible it warns man not to tamper with what is written!  “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 14  And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words

which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. 15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:” (Deut.  28:13-15)   “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deut. 4:1-2)  “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” (1 Cor. 4:6)

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”  (Rev. 22:18-19)

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”  (2 Pet. 1:3)  Jude, verse three, says that “the faith” (gospel—God’s plan for man’s salvation) has once for all been once delivered to the saints.

Friends, neighbors, God’s Word as given in the scriptures is complete, nothing more is to be added, nothing is to be taken away. When one adds or subtracts from God’s Word it is NO LONGER God’s Word, but man’s substitution, man’s will! In studying and applying God’s Word we need to start by asking “what saith the scriptures”  about the scriptures themselves. For if we do not respect what the Bible says about itself, we have no respect for it or for the God who gave it.