"Scripture Teaches Nothing but Charity": Saint Augustine on Interpreting the Sacred Scripture

In the summer of 386, in Milan, under a fig tree, a distressed and weeping Aurelius Augustine—now known as St. Augustine—heard a child’s voice say:

“Pick up, and read, pick up and read” [tolle lege, tolle lege].

Augustine described his reaction: “At once my countenance changed. . . . I checked the flood of tears and stood up.” He interpreted this as a divine command to open the book and read the first passage he saw. He hurried back to where his companion Alypius was sitting and retrieved the book of the Apostle Paul that he had left there. Augustine opened it and read the first passage that his eyes fell upon:

“Not in riots and drunken parties, not in eroticism and indecencies, not in strife and rivalry, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts” (Rom. 13:13–14).

He recalled, “I neither wished nor needed to read further.” The words of the passage seemed to flood his heart with relief, dispelling all his doubts. He marked the place in the book and closed it.

(Quoted texts are from Saint Augustine's Confessions, translated by Henry Chadwick (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992), pp.152–3).

Such a transcendent experience left a profound impact on Augustine’s life, especially in his approach to the Bible. It was no longer viewed merely as ancient literature with ethical value, but rather as Sacred Scripture, whose purpose, in his words, is "enjoyment with God."

On interpretation of the Sacred Scripture, Augustine's De Doctrina Christiana offers a comprehensive analysis of hermeneutical theory in Western thought, shaping biblical interpretation throughout the Middle Ages.

Here are some points on Saint Agustine's thoughts on how to interpret the Sacred Scripture (excerpt from Fr. George T. Montague, SM, Understanding the Bible: A Basic Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Paulist Press, 2007).

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Augustine's Hermeneutical Theory

• Augustine's De Doctrina Christiana offers a comprehensive analysis of hermeneutical theory in Western thought, shaping biblical interpretation throughout the Middle Ages.

• Augustine begins by explaining that revelation or doctrine consists of either realities or signs of realities. The ultimate reality is the Holy Trinity, while examples include the church, individuals, and the love of God.

• Biblical texts are signs. Signs come in two forms: words and things. Words point to realities, and things do as well.

• The ultimate goal is the enjoyment of God, and everything else is valuable only insofar as it directs us towards God. This principle affects both one's journey to eternal life and the reading of scripture.

  
  

Purpose and Impact of Scripture

• Scripture aims to lead us to love God and our neighbor. Augustine states that if scripture does not promote this double love, it is not understood correctly.

• Even a misinterpretation can foster charity and achieve the scripture's goal, similar to reaching a destination by crossing a field if one mistakenly leaves the road.

• Augustine acknowledges correct and incorrect interpretations and later outlines rules to determine them. A habit of incorrect interpretation can lead to errors and missing the goal.

Requirements for the Reader of the Sacred Scripture

• The purpose of scripture is not to inform or entertain but to transform the reader, preparing them for the vision of God. To read scripture fruitfully, conversion from pride is necessary

• The Sacred Scripture itself guides the reader to the path of conversion from pride through a seven-step process:

  
  

  1) first, Sacred Scripture instills the fear of God,

  2) then this leads to piety,

  3) knowledge,

  4) fortitude,

  5) mercy,

  6) the cleansing of the eye,

  7) finally, wisdom and peace

  
  

• For serious interpretation, one must study auxiliary sciences—natural and secular history, philosophy, ancient arts, original languages (Hebrew and Greek), symbolism of numbers, previous translations, and context—to discern the writer's intention.

  
  

Challenges and Principles in Interpretation

• Difficulties and obscurities in scripture lead to humility and valuing the truth when found. Augustine advises consulting the "rule of faith," clearer passages, and church authority.

• The church’s authority guides interpretations within a clear channel, and Augustine recognizes the Septuagint as canonical. His recommendation to read all scripture and check interpretations against the wider canon is a precursor to "canonical criticism."

• Augustine identifies four possible levels of meaning: eternal realities intimated, facts narrated, future realities predicted, and commands or warnings given.

• When unclear whether a passage is literal or figurative, Augustine advises interpreting what does not pertain directly to virtuous behavior or faith as figurative. Virtuous behavior relates to the love of God and neighbor, while faith relates to knowledge of God and neighbor.

Augustine’s Approach to the Old Testament

• Augustine's principle is that scripture teaches nothing but charity, likely derived from Jesus' teaching that the double commandment of love sums up the law and prophets.

• Augustine uses a broad approach to Old Testament texts, interpreting nearly all of it both literally and figuratively. This allows him to find typology and use allegory in unconventional ways.

• Augustine views the Bible as a two-dimensional picture without topography and shows minimal awareness of the progressive nature of revelation, seeing the Old Testament as temporary or preparatory.

• Augustine’s rule that every interpretation should promote charity and lead to the enjoyment of God reflects what often happens when Christians read the Bible prayerfully, with meanings aligning with scriptural truths.

• For serious study, a more focused attention on the literal sense is required, involving faith, humility, and personal transformation effected by the word of God.