A.   Context

1.   Consider the Context

a.   Three catchy slogans:

a.   Be a slave to the context.

b.   The three rules of interpretation: context, context, context

c.    A text without its context is but a pretext.

b.   Consider the greater historical and cultural context

                                     i.     Put the passage in the historical context: what century?

                                    ii.     Put the passage in the proper cultural context: what country?

c.    The context of the paragraph

1.   What is the theme of the paragraph?

2.   How does this verse fit into that theme?

3.   Gal. 5:4 – “falling from grace.”  Does it mean the loss of salvation? What is the context?

4.   Matt.  “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” What is the context?

5.   Jas. 4:9 – “Let your laughter be turned to mourning…”

6.   Matt. 7:1 – judge not that ye be not judged…

b.   The context of the book

1.   What is/are the purpose(s) of the book?

a.   John 20:31 – that ye might believe

b.   I John 5:13  – that ye might believe

c.    Ecc.1:3 – The book must be interpreted in light of the oft repeated phrase: “under the sun.” Otherwise, the book is extremely pessimistic and depressing! (1:2,5-11)

2.   The book of Romans is a treatise on the theme of righteousness. It is not likely that you could accurately interpret an isolated verse from that book without being familiar with the context of the book as a whole.

3.   I John 3:9 – taken by itself it might seem to teach that believers do not sin. But consider the context of the rest of the book. (Cf. 1:8-10)

4.   To determine the context or the theme of a book may require reading and re-reading the book – preferably in one sitting.

5.   Read and observe what you read. Observing the context is especially important if you are doing a word study. The tendency is to ignore context… but it is deadly.

6.   Martin Luther said, “I study my Bible as I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf.” 

c.    The context of the Bible as a whole

                                     i.     The analogy of Scripture… Compare the passage to the rest of Scripture. Scripture never contradicts itself.

                                    ii.     However, false doctrines, like false witnesses, agree not among themselves.

                                  iii.     Does this interpretation contradict other portions of Scripture?

2.   The folly of taking passages out of context:

a.   Matt.24:13 – the context is the Tribulation; salvation speaks of being delivered from destruction.

b.   James 2:24 – all by itself it contradicts Paul and teaches salvation by works.

c.    II Cor. 8:9 – to support the gospel of wealth (also “forgive us our debts”)

d.   I Pet.3:3 – some have used this passage to teach that women should not braid their hair or wear gold. But be careful here – if that is the case, then Peter is also forbidding them to wear clothes!

e.   I John 2:27 – Some have taken this verse by itself and have concluded that they could understand the whole Bible on their own without assistance from anyone, ignoring the revelation elsewhere that gifted individuals are given to the Body of Christ to teach others. ^[1]

f.     Ezekiel 37:15-17 – The Mormons state that this passage teaches that the two sticks represent the Book of Mormon and the Bible. BUT – read the context! It is explained in the context to mean the regathering of the House of Israel. (vs.22)

B.   Analogy of Scripture

1.   Analogy of Scripture states that no portion of Scripture contradicts another portion of Scripture when rightly divided and that one portion of Scripture will often explain another portion.

a.   Since the Holy Spirit is the divine Author of the Bible, all sixty-six books will be complementary and self-consistent.

b.   There are what we call “apparent” contradictions in the Bible from the human perspective. There are passages that SEEM to contradict one another.

c.    However, the fault lies in us, not in Scripture. The failure is on our part to SEE or understand the harmony that does exist.

d.   It is certain that Scripture nowhere contradicts Scripture; rather, one passage explains another. This sound principle of interpreting Scripture by Scripture is sometimes called the analogy of Scripture or the analogy of faith.

2.    Where do you find the Scriptures to compare to the passage you are studying?

a.    Cross references in the margin of your Bible

b.    The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (available for free online)

3.   Obscure passages should always be interpreted in light of clear ones.

a.   For example, Jesus said, “The Father is greater than I.” This statement could be taken in a couple of different ways. But the correct interpretation is the one that harmonizes with the rest of Scripture, rightly divided.

C.            Exegesis

1.   Exegesis: The analysis of a text.

·      “Meaning” (of the Scriptural passage) is not our subjective thoughts read into the text but God’s objective truth read out of the text. (Dr. Howard Hendricks)

2.   Don’t force a passage to fit your lesson 

1.   I Tim. 1:5 – Don’t use this passage if you are teaching on the value of the 10 commandments. The word commandment here refers to the command (charge) in vs.3. (same term)

2.   There are lots of Bible verses that we might be tempted to use in a study… because the WORDING seems to fit so well into what we are trying to say.

3.   This is called by some “hijacking” a text. This can be done naively or intentionally.

3.   Don’t force a passage to fit your theology

1.   I John 2:2 – Christ died for the sin of the whole world (Calvinism’s twist)

2.   II Pet.2:20 – someone who believes you can lose your salvation might use this verse to prove his point. But if you follow the word “they” backwards – it refers to the wells without water – the unsaved false teachers… not believers.

3.   Isa. 53:5c – “By His stripes we are healed.” The charismatics love to use this verse because the wording seems to support their theology. But healed from what? The context is SIN – not pneumonia or physical blindness.

4.   Don’t force a passage to fit your practice

1.   “Cardinal Newman defends the Roman Catholic concept of the “nun” from the case of Anna in the Temple” (Luke 2:36-38). [2]

2.   Charismatics use passages such as (Ex.23:25) to support the notion that God will protect us from sickness if we obey.

3.   The Roman church has for years tired to keep the Bible away from its people. They used II Pet. 1:21 as their proof text: the Bible was not intended for “private interpretation.” They conclude, “leave the interpretation to us.”

4.   Some charismatic groups engage in a practice of financial scams. They tell people that if they give to their ministry, that God will give them even more money in return. (Prov.3:9-10; Mal. 3:10)

5.   Don’t force a passage to fit your convictions.

1.   Jer. 10:2-4 – most tracts I have read on the Christmas issue use this passage to promote their convictions against the use of a Christmas tree. But this verse is not talking about any such thing!

2.   Deut. 6:7 – I have often seen this passage used to promote the home school movement… because it mentions teaching in the home. (But Moses is not talking about algebra and biology).

3.   I Pet.3:3 – I visited a Pilgrim Church one time where the women could not cut their hair or braid it. They were not allowed to wear any gold jewelry either. (I noticed that they did allow them to wear apparel – clothing!

            ·      Don’t look for a passage that SEEMS to support what you are trying to say… or what you want it to say.

·      Don’t impose your preconceived ideas on any Bible verse. Let the verse say what it says.

·      Exegesis is extracting from a verse what is actually found IN the verse.

D.  Some Important Distinctions

1.   Keep Israel and the Church distinct

a.   God has a plan for the nation Israel.

                                     i.     Israel is God’s earthly people.

                                    ii.     It includes the Law and His unconditional covenants which WILL be fulfilled literally one day.

                                  iii.     While Israel is under God’s chastisement today, God is not finished with that nation.

b.   God has a plan for the church.

                                     i.     The church is God’s heavenly people.

                                    ii.     God’s plan for the church is revealed nowhere in the OT, but is revealed in the NT epistles.

                                  iii.     When this age comes to an end, God will once again deal with the nation Israel.

2.   Keep Law and Grace Distinct

a.   The Law was given to Israel and Israel alone.

b.   The gentile nations and the church are NOT under the Law.

c.    The church is “under grace” as a rule of life (Romans 6:14). The Law does not save, nor does the Law sanctify.

d.   This truth does not set well with many believers.

3.   Keep Position and Condition Distinct 

4.   Keep Salvation and Rewards Distinct 

5.   Keep Salvation and Discipleship Distinct

6.   Keep the two comings of Christ Distinct

a.   Second Coming      

                                     i.     In power and great glory – every eye shall see Him

                                    ii.     At the end of the Tribulation

                                  iii.     He descends to the earth

                                  iv.     He comes to deliver Israel

b.   The Rapture

                                     i.     Invisible to the world

                                    ii.     Just before the Tribulation

                                  iii.     He descends to the clouds

                                  iv.     He comes to deliver the church

7.   Keep The Gospel of Grace and the Gospel of the Kingdom Distinct

a.   Matt.10:5-7 – the Lord sent His disciples to Israel exclusively to preach the gospel of the Kingdom.

b.   Matt.28:19-20 – Sent to all nations

c.    Acts 20:24  – The gospel of the grace of God

8.   Keep the Various Judgments Distinct

a.   Bema seat

b.   Great White Throne

c.    Israel and the Nations 

9.   Keep the Various Peoples of the World Distinct (I Cor. 10:32)

a.   The Jew

b.   The Gentiles

c.    The Church 

E.   Consider Dispensational distinctions

1.   Dispensation defined: A dispensation is a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose.[3]

2.   There are seven distinguishable dispensations in the Scriptures.

3.   Three in particular will greatly affect Bible interpretation: Law, Grace, and Kingdom. These three are mentioned in Ephesians 3.

4.   A handy way to remember these three ages is as follows:

                                     i.     Mt. Sinai – the Law begins

                                    ii.     Mt. Calvary = the age of grace begins

                                  iii.     Mt. of Olives – The Second Coming – the Kingdom begins

5.   Most of the content of the Bible pertains to these three dispensations. 

F.   Realize that there are “gaps” in Scripture

1.   Isa.61:1-2  cf. Luke 4:19

2.   Isa. 9:6 – a gap between the “Son given” and the “kingdom being upon His shoulders.” The Jews had no way to know there was a gap, but looking back, we can see it.

3.   Daniel 9:24-27 – a gap between the 69^th and 70^th week is the time in which the church exists. 

G.  Progress of revelation

1.   “Progressive revelation is the recognition that God’s message to man was not given in one single act, but was unfolded in a long series of successive acts and through the minds and hands of many men of varying backgrounds.” [4]

2.   Acts 17:30 – In ages past God winked at the ignorance of Gentiles, but now God commands them to repent. They are MORE accountable today because of the progress of revelation.

3.   John 1:17 – The Law came by Moses, but grace by Jesus Christ.

4.   Heb.1:1-2 – God who at sundry times… spake…

1.   God did not reveal Himself or His plan all at once.

a.   God has maintained a continuity of revelation to mankind through the centuries.

b.   The former revelations were incomplete. Original revelations were fully true and fully reliable, but incomplete.

5.   Sometimes truth was revealed in germ form, and then added to later.

a.   Gen. 3:15 – The promise of salvation is revealed in seed form in Genesis 3:15 but it is expanded and developed throughout the Old Testament until we come to its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ and its full explanation in the New Testament.

b.   The revelation of the Person of Christ is gradually unfolded in the Old Testament and fully developed in the New.

c.    God’s requirements for mankind may be added to or even change from one era to another. (eating of pork; etc.)

d.   Gal. 3:16-17 – God gave Abraham the Abrahamic Covenant which included marvelous unconditional promises. 430 years later, God added (through Moses) the Law. Adding the Law did NOT mean the covenant made with Abraham was null and void. The Law did not replace the Covenant.

e.   Progress of revelation occurred over time.

ü  Old Testament saints (not matter how godly they were) did not understand New Testament truth.

ü  They should not be judged on the basis of New Testament truth.

ü  They are not held accountable for truth not revealed to them.

ü  Gen. 15:6 – Consider how Abraham was saved!

6.   A failure to acknowledge the progress of revelation will result in many (apparent) contradictions in the Bible:

a.   Matthew 10:5-7 cf. Matt.28:18-20; 

b.   Luke 9:3 cf. Luke 22:36; 

c.    Gen. 17:10 cf. Gal.5:2; 

d.   Exodus 20:8 cf. Acts 20:7

H.  Keep Interpretation Separate from Application.

1.   There is one interpretation but many applications

a.   Many have said that there are many different interpretations of the Bible.

b.   There is only one correct interpretation for every Bible verse.

c.    The Bible is not like subjective, abstract art. It is objective truth.

d.   Most passages of Scripture are pretty easy to understand and do not lend themselves to various interpretations.

e.   “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” — Mark Twain

2.   Be sure you interpret properly before you apply Scripture.

1.   Matt. 7:1 – judge not that ye be not judged.

3.   Be careful about applying a scriptural principle to yourself, and then applying it to others.

I.    Always ask three questions:

1.   Who said it?

2.   To whom was it said?

3.   What were the circumstances?