Why do we apply verses from books not written to us to ourselves?

[YosefHayim]

1 Peter 1:1 - to the strange cattered abroad
James 1:1 - to the twelve tribes scattered abroad
Hebrews is to the Hebrews.

And then the epistles are written to specific individuals and churches.

 

[Gary]

And then the epistles are written to specific individuals and churches.

2 Timothy 3
16 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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[Sinthesis]

As long as you keep things in context and maintain perspective, you can learn by example.

1Co 10:6 - Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1Co 10:7 - Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
1Co 10:8 - Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
1Co 10:9 - Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
1Co 10:10 - Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
1Co 10:11 - Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.​

 

[WIP]

I don't necessarily see Paul's writings as written specifically for the Hebrews, Romans, Colosians, Ephesians, Philippians, Thessalonians, and Corinthians. Paul was assigned the mission to deliver the gospel to everyone as was recorded in Acts 9:15 NKJV
"...he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel."

And since all the scripture is inspired of God is it trustworthy for our direction today. I believe God intended Paul's writing to be applied to our lives as well.
6 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NKJV

 

[Abigail123]

1 Peter 1:1 - to the strange cattered abroad
James 1:1 - to the twelve tribes scattered abroad
Hebrews is to the Hebrews.

And then the epistles are written to specific individuals and churches.

They were written TO specific individuals and churches but they are FOR all believers, everywhere.

 

[YosefHayim]

2 Timothy 3
16 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

.

The New Testament wasn't complete at the writin of this verse, so that epistle wasn't considered scripture yet. When the early church searched the scriptures, they were only searching the OT.

 

[Gary]

The New Testament wasn't complete at the writin of this verse, so that epistle wasn't considered scripture yet. When the early church searched the scriptures, they were only searching the OT.

Notice in verse 16, Peter refers to Paul's Epistles as "scripture".


2 Peter 3....(NKJV)
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

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[JLB]

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
2 Corinthians 1:20

 

[FreeGrace]

The New Testament wasn't complete at the writin of this verse, so that epistle wasn't considered scripture yet. When the early church searched the scriptures, they were only searching the OT.

What are you suggesting?

 

[n2thelight]

That which has been shall happen again,and there is no new thing under the sun......

 

[Deborah13]

YosefHayim
The Bible from start to finish is God telling His story, not quite an autobiography but still a look into the heart of our Creator, our Father and His Son. We see His nature and how He relates to His creation.
The story is never boring because we are always changing, God does that, and He reveals what we've read before in new ways as we grow in understanding.
It's been on the best seller list for hundreds of years. Written by the world renowned author and gets great reviews.

 

[elijah23]

1 Peter 1:1 - to the strange cattered abroad
James 1:1 - to the twelve tribes scattered abroad
Hebrews is to the Hebrews.

And then the epistles are written to specific individuals and churches.

The things those people experienced are the same things we will experience. We can learn a lot from what are in those letters, and therefore save ourselves a lot of trouble down the road.