The Mystery of Scripture and the Unity of the Bible

St. Augustine's Questions on the Heptateuch

 

 

From Concealment to Revelation - Hidden Truths Revealed

 

Augustine’s Study of the Old Testament 

 

Questions on the Heptateuch (Latin: Quaestiones in Heptateuchum) is one of St. Augustine’s lesser-known but significant works, written later in his life around 419-420 AD. The Heptateuch refers to the first seven books of the Old Testament (Genesis through Judges), and in this work, Augustine provides a series of questions and answers aimed at interpreting challenging passages from these books. His primary goal is to delve into the allegorical, moral, and doctrinal meanings of Scripture, shedding light on obscure or difficult texts.

 

Purpose and Structure

 

Questions on the Heptateuch is part of Augustine’s broader effort to explain and clarify Scripture for his readers. As with many of his writings, Augustine aimed to offer interpretations that would help believers understand how even the more difficult or seemingly mundane parts of the Old Testament pointed to Christ and the spiritual truths of the Christian faith.

 

The structure of the work is organized around questions Augustine poses about specific passages in each book of the Heptateuch. These questions often address historical, moral, or allegorical interpretations of the text. Rather than providing long expositions, Augustine’s responses are generally concise, offering theological insights and connections between Old Testament stories and New Testament revelations. He frequently explores how these early Scriptures prefigure the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, a theme central to his theology.

 

Key Themes

 

1. Typology and Allegory:

 

 One of the central features of *Questions on the Heptateuch* is Augustine’s use of typology and allegory. For Augustine, many of the stories, rituals, and laws in the Old Testament were types or foreshadowings of spiritual truths that would be fully revealed in the New Testament. Augustine believed that God’s plan of salvation, though hidden, could be discerned in these types.

 

 For example, Augustine saw the figure of Adam as a “type” of Christ (Romans 5:14). In his view, just as Adam’s disobedience brought sin and death into the world, so Christ’s obedience brought life and redemption. Augustine’s interpretation of Old Testament figures as prefiguring Christ became a hallmark of Christian exegesis for centuries to come.

 

2. Moral and Ethical Instruction:

   Augustine also drew ethical and moral lessons from the Old Testament narratives. He would often use historical events to reflect on the spiritual and moral journey of the Christian. For example, the trials of the Israelites in the wilderness were, for Augustine, not merely historical events but moral and spiritual lessons about the dangers of idolatry, pride, and disobedience.

 

3. The Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments:

   Augustine's famous dictum, “In the Old the New is concealed, in the New the Old is revealed,” finds much of its grounding in works like *Questions on the Heptateuch.* In this work, Augustine is constantly showing how the Old Testament contains within it hidden truths about the New Testament. For instance, the sacrifices in the Old Testament law, according to Augustine, foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

   Augustine consistently emphasized the continuity of Scripture, affirming that the Old Testament was essential for understanding the New Testament, and vice versa. He believed that while the Old Testament contained the seeds of God’s redemptive plan, the New Testament revealed the full flower of those truths in Christ.

 

4. Historical and Literal Exegesis:

   Although Augustine is best known for his allegorical and spiritual readings of Scripture, in *Questions on the Heptateuch* he does not shy away from addressing historical and literal questions about the text. He engages with the historical circumstances of Israel, the significance of its laws, and the genealogies presented in the early books of the Bible. Augustine recognized the value of understanding the historical context while also seeking the deeper spiritual meaning.

 

A Close Look at His Interpretation of Specific Texts

 

In Questions on the Heptateuch, Augustine answers a wide variety of questions from Genesis to Judges. For example:

 

- The Creation Narrative (Genesis):

  Augustine addresses questions about the creation of the world and the nature of time, matters that he explores in greater detail in his work, The Confessions. He famously discussed how God’s act of creation was not bound by human time and how the six days of creation could be understood allegorically.

 

- Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)

  Augustine treats the story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac as a profound typological foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. For Augustine, just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son in obedience to God, God the Father would one day offer His only Son, Jesus, for the salvation of the world.

 

- The Law and Sacrifices (Leviticus and Deuteronomy):

Augustine spends considerable time exploring the Levitical laws and the system of sacrifices in the Old Testament. He emphasizes how these rituals, though seemingly detailed and obscure, point to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Augustine argues that the repeated sacrifices of animals under the Mosaic Law were a sign that something greater was needed—a perfect and final sacrifice, which Christ provides.

 

- The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua):

  When discussing the conquest of Canaan, Augustine reflects on the moral implications of God’s command to destroy entire nations. He suggests that these actions, while difficult to understand at a literal level, symbolically represent the Christian’s spiritual battle against sin and evil. Augustine’s interpretation moves from the physical realm to the spiritual, arguing that the violent imagery in these stories points to the total eradication of sin from the believer’s life.

 

Significance and Influence

 

*Questions on the Heptateuch* may not be as widely read as some of Augustine’s other works, such as *The City of God* or *Confessions*, but it reflects his mature understanding of Scripture and his deep commitment to showing the unity of the Bible’s message. Augustine’s method of interpreting Scripture—combining historical context, literal exegesis, and allegorical/spiritual readings—had a profound influence on Christian theology and biblical interpretation.

 

His emphasis on seeing Christ in the Old Testament became a foundational approach for later theologians, shaping medieval exegesis and continuing into modern Christian thought. Augustine’s recognition that the Old Testament must be read in light of the New, and that the New Testament reveals the deeper meanings of the Old, remains a cornerstone of how Christians understand Scripture today.

 

 Conclusion

 

St. Augustine’s Questions on the Heptateuch demonstrates his ability to wrestle with difficult passages of the Bible and find spiritual meaning in them. His famous dictum, “In the Old the New is concealed, in the New the Old is revealed,” is exemplified throughout this work, as he draws connections between the types and shadows of the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament. For Augustine, the entire Bible is a unified, divinely inspired revelation of God’s redemptive plan, with the Old and New Testaments intricately connected to one another.

By exploring the mysteries of the Heptateuch, Augustine helps his readers—and us today—see how God’s promises unfold in history, preparing the way for the coming of Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God’s plan for humanity

Soli Deo Gloria

God’s Infinite Power and Grace

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

A Reflection on Ephesians 3

The third chapter of Ephesians offers one of the most awe-inspiring portrayals of God's power and His eternal plan for humanity. Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, emphasizes the mystery of God's redemptive work, which had been hidden for ages but is now revealed through Christ. As we explore Ephesians 3, we witness God's power at work—uniting all people through the gospel, equipping the church, and transforming lives beyond what we could ask or imagine. 

Through Christ, we have direct access to this power and grace. As Paul writes in Ephesians 3:12, "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." This access to God’s presence is a profound demonstration of His power and love. No longer are we separated by sin, but through Christ, we are welcomed to come before God, not in fear, but in boldness, knowing that we are loved, redeemed, and empowered by His Spirit.

The Mystery Revealed: God’s Eternal Plan

Paul begins this chapter by speaking of a mystery that has now been made known. In Ephesians 3:3-5, he writes, “The mystery was made known to me by revelation... which was not made known to the people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit.” What is this mystery? Paul explains that God’s power is revealed in the inclusion of the Gentiles, once far off from God, into the family of God. Through the gospel, the Gentiles are “heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6).

This truth was radical in Paul’s day. The barrier between Jew and Gentile was deeply entrenched, but God’s plan was always to bring the nations together through Christ. This mystery, hidden throughout the ages, shows God’s power to unite what was once divided and to break down the walls of hostility that separated people. It reveals that God's saving work is for all people, without distinction, a reality that demonstrates His immense power and grace.

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Paul speaks of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” in Ephesians 3:8, referring to the boundless grace, wisdom, and love that flow from Christ to believers. These riches are beyond our comprehension, yet they are freely given to all who trust in Jesus. It is through Christ that we gain access to these riches, and through His power, we experience the fullness of God’s love and salvation.

Eugene Peterson, in The Message, paraphrases this verse as, “My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along.” Peterson highlights the idea that God’s plan has always been unfolding, though much of it was hidden until Christ revealed the fullness of His grace.

Charles Spurgeon speaks of the riches of Christ as inexhaustible. He writes, “He who dives deep into the sea of divine love will always find deeper depths still.” For Spurgeon, the riches of Christ are beyond human understanding but ever-present, offering comfort, strength, and joy to those who seek Him. God's power is revealed in these riches, as He continually offers more of Himself to His children.

In proclaiming the gospel, Paul became a messenger of these unsearchable riches, revealing the depth of God’s plan. It’s not just that God’s power is revealed in His ability to save; it is also displayed in the way He enriches our lives through Christ, giving us wisdom, peace, and joy that surpass human understanding.

God’s Wisdom Displayed Through the Church

In Ephesians 3:10, Paul makes a remarkable statement: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” Here, Paul tells us that God’s power and wisdom are displayed through the church—not just to the world, but to the spiritual realms.

The church, the body of Christ, is not just a community of believers. It is a living testimony of God’s power to reconcile, redeem, and transform. The very existence of the church reveals God’s wisdom and power in bringing diverse people together into one body, united by faith in Christ. In a world divided by race, class, and culture, the church stands as a testament to the power of the gospel to transcend all barriers.

Moreover, this wisdom is displayed to “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,” suggesting that even the spiritual forces are witnessing God’s plan unfolding through the church. This reveals the cosmic scope of God’s power and the central role of the church in His eternal plan.

Strengthened by God’s Power

In the latter half of the chapter, Paul transitions from discussing God’s grand plan to praying for the believers in Ephesus. His prayer is that they would be strengthened with power through the Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). He asks that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith and that they would be rooted and established in love.

Paul’s prayer points to the inward work of God’s power in the life of every believer. This is not merely external strength or worldly power, but the deep, transformative power of the Holy Spirit working within us. God’s power equips us to live the Christian life, to withstand trials, and to grow in love and faith.

Matthew Henry comments on this prayer, noting that it reflects Paul’s desire for believers to experience not just the knowledge of Christ’s love, but the transforming power of that love in their everyday lives. Henry writes, “The indwelling of Christ in the heart by faith is the great foundation of a Christian’s strength and comfort.”

Spurgeon adds that the prayer for inner strength is a call to trust in God’s power rather than our own: “What a mercy it is to be made strong, but to be made strong in the inner man—how much greater the mercy!” Spurgeon emphasizes that God’s power works from within, transforming the heart and soul, equipping believers to endure trials and to reflect Christ’s love in the world.

In verse 19, Paul prays that the Ephesians would “know this love that surpasses knowledge.” This love is beyond intellectual understanding—it is experienced through God’s power at work within us. When we grasp the depth of God’s love, we are “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). This is a beautiful picture of how God’s power works in our hearts, filling us with His presence and love.

Beyond What We Can Ask or Imagine

Paul ends this chapter with a doxology—a praise of God’s power and glory. In Ephesians 3:20, he writes, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” This verse is a reminder that God’s power is limitless. He can do more than we can ask, think, or even imagine. His power is not bound by human limitations, and He is always working beyond what we can see or comprehend.

Eugene Peterson captures this beautifully in The Message: “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

This assurance encourages us to trust in God’s power, especially when we face challenges or uncertainties. It reminds us that God is able to do the impossible, and He works in ways that often surpass our understanding. Whether we are struggling with personal difficulties, praying for loved ones, or seeking direction, we can have confidence that God’s power is at work in and through us, doing far more than we can even conceive.

Conclusion: God’s Power Revealed

Ephesians 3 reveals the vastness of God’s power—His power to unite all people through the gospel, to display His wisdom through the church, and to transform lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. This chapter is a celebration of God’s plan, a plan that had been hidden for ages but is now fully revealed through Christ.

As believers, we are invited to live in the light of this power. We are part of God’s grand plan, called to be witnesses of His love and grace to the world. We can trust that God’s power is at work within us, strengthening us, filling us with His love, and enabling us to live lives that reflect His glory.

Let us join with Paul in giving glory to the One who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). God’s power has been revealed, and through Christ, we are invited to experience it and be transformed by it.

Soli Deo Gloria