This being a course on Biblical interpretation one theme is going to inevitably occur often, and that is the need to allow the Scripture to speak for itself. This is the very reason context must, as the title states, be king. “As we have seen, the primary source for understanding the setting of a passage is its context. It is through the context of any passage, in the final analysis, that we determine meaning.”[1] As we approach the Scripture we must not begin with an effort to glean what God is saying to us today. The Scriptures are a compilation of inspired writings that had ancient authors and recipients. They were written for a particular reason to a particular group of people, for a particular purpose, during a particular time. As much as many people act as though this isn’t the case, the Scriptures had a purpose entirely apart from speaking to us, when they were originally revealed. The truth of the Scripture and its relevance is indeed timeless, but in order to understand what God is saying to us today we must first discern accurately what God was saying to those to whom the Scriptures were originally addressed. This is absolutely impossible to do with any amount of credibility unless the Scriptures are studied rightfully within their original context.
When one mentions the concept of context they are referring to, as we stated before, the culture of the people, the historic back drop, the grammatical and literary style, the author, and the text’s place within the chapter, book, and Testament. Once these have been thoroughly considered, one can then begin to interpret how the passage might apply to us in our situation today. “In expository preaching the biblical text is…a master which dictates and controls what is said.”[2] “First, and above all, the thought of the biblical writer determines the substance.”[3] Without first identifying the meaning of the text in its context we cannot hope to identify its meaning for us today.
An example of a passage that I have heard used out of context (one that I have personally used out of context) is Psalm 125:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].” The way this passage is often presented is in regard to sowing the gospel. While it may be applied in that way, the gospel is not what the Psalmist had in mind. This passage is a part of song that deals with captivity and deliverance and must first be dealt with in that light before trying to apply it to anything else. It’s not that the application is inherently flawed because the proper time was not spent expositing the text, but the probability is much higher in that case. Authority is found in the Word of God. We must stand on what God said, and that is determined by studying a text within its context. There is no other way.
[1] McQuilkin, Robertson. Understanding and Applying the Bible. Chicago: Moody. 2009. p. 176
[2] Stott, John. Between Two Worlds. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1982. pp. 125-26
[3] Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. 2003. p.21
When one mentions the concept of context they are referring to, as we stated before, the culture of the people, the historic back drop, the grammatical and literary style, the author, and the text’s place within the chapter, book, and Testament. Once these have been thoroughly considered, one can then begin to interpret how the passage might apply to us in our situation today. “In expository preaching the biblical text is…a master which dictates and controls what is said.”[2] “First, and above all, the thought of the biblical writer determines the substance.”[3] Without first identifying the meaning of the text in its context we cannot hope to identify its meaning for us today.
An example of a passage that I have heard used out of context (one that I have personally used out of context) is Psalm 125:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].” The way this passage is often presented is in regard to sowing the gospel. While it may be applied in that way, the gospel is not what the Psalmist had in mind. This passage is a part of song that deals with captivity and deliverance and must first be dealt with in that light before trying to apply it to anything else. It’s not that the application is inherently flawed because the proper time was not spent expositing the text, but the probability is much higher in that case. Authority is found in the Word of God. We must stand on what God said, and that is determined by studying a text within its context. There is no other way.
[1] McQuilkin, Robertson. Understanding and Applying the Bible. Chicago: Moody. 2009. p. 176
[2] Stott, John. Between Two Worlds. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1982. pp. 125-26
[3] Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. 2003. p.21