This article is a summary from the following episodes: Thou Shalt Not Misquote
Reading the Bible in Context for the Sake of Clarity—and Christ
You’ve probably seen it on mugs, notebooks, graduation cards—even tattooed on someone’s arm. Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
It’s one of the most quoted verses in the Bible—and one of the most misquoted.
The same could be said of Matthew 7:1: “Judge not, lest you be judged.” These are passages that either confuse people or, sadly, crush them under the weight of false expectations. That’s why we’re writing this—not to be contrarian, but pastoral. Not to nitpick, but to clear away the clutter so Christ is seen more clearly.
So let’s look at these two beloved verses, not to diminish their value, but to anchor them in the hope they were always meant to point to.
Jeremiah 29:11 – Is God Promising Me a Better Life?
Let’s begin with the classic: “For I know the plans I have for you…” This verse gets used in all kinds of ways—encouragement during suffering, hope for your career, assurance about your relationships, and motivation at a graduation ceremony. And we get it. The longing to know that God is for us is deeply human.
But here’s the problem: when Jeremiah 29:11 is used to promise smoother circumstances, better outcomes, or personal prosperity in this life, it sets people up for disappointment. Because when those things don’t happen—when suffering persists, when dreams crumble, when life just doesn’t “prosper”—people are left wondering: Has God failed me? Or have I failed Him?
That’s a terrible place to be. And it's also not what the verse means.
What’s the Context?
Jeremiah is writing to a very specific group of people: Jews who have been taken into Babylonian exile. He’s delivering a word from the Lord to a people who are crushed, displaced, and unsure of what comes next. And the promise is this: Your exile will not last forever. In 70 years, I will bring you back. I am still your God, and you are still my people.
It’s a promise to Israel in a specific redemptive-historical moment. But does that mean it has nothing to do with us? No—far from it.
The Real Hope
When we read this passage through the lens of covenant theology and the storyline of Scripture, we see the deeper meaning: God is a redeeming God. He brings His people out of bondage. He keeps His promises. And just like He brought Israel out of exile, He will bring all His people out of sin, death, and the grave.
So is Jeremiah 29:11 for us? Absolutely—but not in the way it’s often used. It’s not about your promotion. It’s about your resurrection. It’s not a promise of present prosperity. It’s a promise of future glory.
God is bringing us home. And not just to a land, but to a kingdom that cannot be shaken—where every tear will be wiped away, and we will dwell with Him forever.
Matthew 7:1 – Does This Mean I Can’t Call Out Sin?
“Judge not, lest you be judged.” It’s the go-to verse for deflecting any criticism—especially moral or doctrinal critique. In today’s world, it’s often thrown around like a shield to avoid accountability. “You can’t judge me—Jesus said so!”
But again, when we read the whole passage in context, we see something very different than blanket moral relativism.
What’s the Context?
Jesus isn’t saying, “Never evaluate anyone’s beliefs or actions.” He’s saying, “Be humble. Be self-aware. Don’t approach others in self-righteousness.”
Immediately after this verse, Jesus tells us to take the log out of our own eye before trying to remove the speck from someone else’s (v. 3–5). In other words, we are called to discernment—but it must be done with a posture of humility, not pride.
Later in the same chapter, Jesus tells us to watch out for false teachers (v. 15). That requires judgment. Paul tells us in Galatians 6:1 to restore someone caught in sin “in a spirit of gentleness.” That also requires discernment.
The Real Call
Jesus isn’t forbidding correction—He’s forbidding condemnation. He’s warning against the kind of pride that looks down on others without acknowledging our own need for grace.
Biblical judgment is always gospel-shaped. It’s gentle, honest, and aimed at restoration—not shame. And it flows from a heart that knows: “But for the grace of God, so go I.”
The Common Thread: The Gospel of Grace
Both of these passages—Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 7:1—are often misquoted in ways that either promote false comfort or prevent real correction. But when read rightly, they do the opposite. They bring real hope and real healing.
Jeremiah 29:11, read in context, doesn’t promise us a comfortable life now—it promises us a glorious life forever with Christ. It assures us that God’s plans are redemptive, not circumstantial. It’s not about temporary relief; it’s about eternal rest.
Matthew 7:1, read in context, doesn’t forbid discernment—it forbids self-righteousness. It reminds us that we’re all sinners in need of grace. And that grace should shape the way we speak to each other, correct each other, and live in community with one another.
Final Word: Let the Bible Lead You to Christ
The reason misquoting Scripture is so dangerous is not just because it distorts theology—it’s because it obscures the gospel.
When we read the Bible through a me-centered lens, we miss the point. Scripture is not a grab bag of inspirational sayings. It’s one unified story of redemption. It’s about Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and reign. And every passage, rightly understood, leads us to rest in Him.
So yes—thou shalt not misquote. But not because we’re trying to win a debate. Because we want people to see Jesus.
