Arbitrary Quote by Hilary of Poitiers
“For there have risen many who have given to the plain words of Holy Writ some arbitrary interpretation of their own, instead of its true and only sense, and this in defiance of the clear meaning of words. Heresy lies in the sense assigned, not in the word written; the guilt is that of the expositor, not of the text.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: De Trinitate, 4th century
Interpretation errors arise when readers impose personal meanings on sacred texts, shifting focus from the word to the interpreter’s bias.
In simple terms: Misreading sacred texts stems from personal bias.
Key Takeaway
Beware imposing personal views on original meanings.
Themes
interpretation
bias
scripture
hermeneutics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theology study
- biblical scholarship
- preaching
- education
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
authority
exegesis
semantic distortion
Questions to Reflect On
- What determines the true meaning of a text?
- How do cultural contexts affect interpretation?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a single correct meaning, ignoring contextual nuance.
![“[Judaism is] ever... mighty in wickedness... when it cursed Moses; when it hated God; when it vowed its sons to demons; when it killed the prophets, and finally when it betrayed to the Praetor and crucified our God Himself and Lord... And so glorying through all its existence in iniquity.” quote by Hilary of Poitiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f1/hilary-of-poitiers-36609_betrayed_judaism-is-ever-mighty-in-wickedness-whe_683709.jpg)
