1. The Command in the Law of Moses
Moses commanded Israel, "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." This command was given to protect the purity of God's revelation. Israel was not to add human traditions or subtract inconvenient commands. The same command appears in Deuteronomy, "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." God's Word is complete and sufficient. Human additions corrupt it; human subtractions diminish it.
2. The Warning in the Book of Proverbs
Solomon writes, "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." Adding to God's words makes a person a liar because he attributes to God what God did not say. This is a serious offense. The warning is not merely about adding physical pages to a book but about adding doctrines, commands, or traditions that God has not given. The Pharisees were guilty of this when they added their oral traditions to God's law.
3. The Command in the New Testament Not to Go Beyond What Is Written
Paul writes to the Corinthians, "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written." Paul warns against going beyond what is written in Scripture. Human wisdom, philosophy, and traditions must not be elevated to the level of divine revelation. The Corinthians were boasting in men, going beyond the simple truth of the gospel. Paul calls them back to the written Word. The phrase "not to think beyond what is written" is a clear prohibition against adding to Scripture.
4. The Warning in the Book of Revelation
John ends the book of Revelation with a solemn warning: "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life." While this warning specifically applies to the book of Revelation, it reflects a broader principle that applies to all Scripture. God's Word is not to be altered in any way. Adding or subtracting invites divine judgment.
5. The Pharisees Added to God's Word Through Tradition
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, saying, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"—then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition." The Pharisees added their traditions to God's law, elevating them to equal or greater authority. This is a form of adding to Scripture. Jesus condemned it as hypocrisy.
6. The Roman Catholic Church Adds to Scripture Through Tradition and Apocrypha
The Roman Catholic Church claims that Sacred Tradition is equal in authority to Scripture. This is a direct violation of the command not to add to God's Word. The Council of Trent declared that tradition is to be received with equal devotion and reverence as Scripture. This adds to what God has commanded. Additionally, the Catholic canon includes the Apocrypha, books that were not recognized by the Jewish canon and not quoted as Scripture by Jesus or the apostles. Adding these books to the canon is a violation of the prohibition against adding to God's Word.
7. The Danger of Subtracting from Scripture
Subtracting from Scripture is equally dangerous. Those who reject the authority of the Old Testament are subtracting from God's Word. Those who deny the teachings of Paul are subtracting from God's Word. Those who remove the commandments on baptism, the Lord's Supper, church discipline, or moral living are subtracting from God's Word. The prosperity gospel subtracts the warnings about suffering. Liberal theology subtracts the miracles. False teachers subtract the hard sayings. Any teaching that rejects a portion of Scripture is guilty of subtraction and faces God's judgment.
8. The Danger of Adding Doctrines Not Found in Scripture
Many false doctrines arise from adding to Scripture. The doctrine of purgatory adds a place not found in Scripture. The doctrine of the immaculate conception adds a sinlessness to Mary that Scripture does not teach. The doctrine of papal infallibility adds an authority that no man possesses. The doctrine of baptismal regeneration adds a requirement for salvation beyond faith. The doctrine of cessationism may subtract the gifts of the Spirit. The doctrine of universalism adds a second chance after death. Every doctrine not found in Scripture is an addition, and every doctrine that denies a clear teaching of Scripture is a subtraction.
9. How to Guard Against Adding or Subtracting
To guard against adding to Scripture, the student must test every teaching against the Word. If a doctrine cannot be clearly supported from Scripture, it must be rejected. To guard against subtracting from Scripture, the student must accept all that God has commanded, even the hard sayings. The student must not pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe. He must receive the whole counsel of God. The psalmist declares, "I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end." This is the attitude of one who neither adds nor subtracts.
10. The Blessing of Holding Fast to the Pure Word
The psalmist writes, "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." God's Word is pure. It does not need human additions to improve it. It does not need human subtractions to improve it. It is sufficient as it is. The blessing is to those who hold fast to the pure Word, neither adding nor subtracting. They will not be led astray by false doctrine. They will not be judged for altering God's revelation. They will stand on the solid foundation of God's unchanging Word.
Conclusion
The Bible repeatedly commands believers not to add to or subtract from the Word of God. Moses gave this command in the Law. Solomon repeated it in Proverbs. Paul warned against going beyond what is written. John closed Revelation with a solemn warning. The Pharisees added their traditions. False teachers add or subtract to suit their preferences. The faithful student handles God's Word with reverence, neither adding human traditions nor subtracting inconvenient commands. Let every believer receive the pure Word of God as it is, trusting that it is sufficient for every good work.