Not long ago I received a request from a reader to help her understand the first verse of Romans 2 as it might apply to praying for God’s judgment against one’s wicked abuser.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

She told me that because of this Scripture in particular, someone she knew had refrained from naming her abuser’s actions as wicked, and had thus continued for a long time to be in a dangerous relationship.

So here is a modified version of my reply.

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First of all, your question brings up the issue of Pronoun Trouble, which I’ve blogged about before (link). I was taught, either implicitly or explicitly, that wherever there is a pronoun I should insert my own name and identity (unless it’s painfully obvious it doesn’t fit) and apply the statement to myself. I simply accepted this teaching as true as the way the Bible “comes alive” to me, until about twenty years ago when I received the challenge that this method of interpretation was not only incorrect but potentially downright detrimental to our understanding of God and His Kingdom. Though at first this revelation almost upended my world, ultimately it revolutionized my Bible study.

So, that to say, I’m working from the hermeneutical understanding that when you read a pronoun, it doesn’t apply to you. I mean, MAYBE it does, but first of all, it applies to someone else, the person or people it’s being written to. Then, if you’re in the same category as that person, then it applies to you. Otherwise it doesn’t. As my husband has observed, “When we read the epistles, we’re reading over someone else’s shoulder.”

Second, it’s important to remember  . .

 

 

 

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Go here to download your free Guide, How to Enjoy the Bible Again (when you’re ready) After Spiritual Abuse (without feeling guilty or getting triggered out of your mind). You’ll receive access to both print and audio versions of the Guide (audio read by me). I’m praying it will be helpful.

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