It's a common misconception that early Christians were universally forbidden from reading the Bible. The reality is much more nuanced:
* Literacy was low: The vast majority of people in the ancient world, including early Christians, were illiterate. This was a practical barrier to reading any text, including the Bible.
* Scriptures existed primarily as scrolls: Bibles in book form didn't exist yet. The scriptures were copied by hand onto scrolls, which were expensive and rare.
* Oral Tradition was Primary: In the early Church, oral tradition played a much larger role than written texts. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles were passed down through word of mouth and memorization.
* Access and Interpretation: Even for those who could read, access to scripture was often limited to religious leaders. This was partly due to the scarcity of texts, but also because the interpretation of scripture was seen as the responsibility of the Church. Leaders would read and interpret the texts for the community.
* Concerns about Misinterpretation: There was also a concern that individuals might misinterpret scripture without proper guidance, leading to heresy or division. This is a key reason why the Church emphasized the importance of its own authority in interpreting the Bible.
It's more accurate to say that access to and direct reading of the Bible were limited for many early Christians due to practical constraints and the social context of the time, rather than a formal prohibition.