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Two important things to remember:1) God spoke His word to us over a 1500-year period through the thought patterns and culturesof those people at that time. The problem is, we are so far removed from those people and thattime we need to first understand what it said to its original hearers and why God said it. First we have to understand what it meant to them . Second we have to learn to hear that same word in the .2) God spoke His word to us through almost every kind of communication: narrative history,genealogies, chronicles, laws of all kinds, poetry of all kinds, songs, proverbs, prophetic oracles,riddles, drama, biographical sketches, parables, sermons, letters, and apocalypses. In order to interpret properly, we need to know some rules that apply toall scripture, but also rules that apply to these specific forms of literature.The first step in interpretation: Exegesis(What did it mean Then and There?)Exegesis is carefully, systematically studying the scripture to try to discover the original intendedmeaning. We have to be careful not to use “selective” or “limited” exegesis – we must exegeteall the time! So how do we do that?Learn to read the text carefully and ask the right questions.There are two types of questions that need to be asked:Questions of1) The contextA good Bible dictionary will help with these kinds of questions. Answers can also befound within the book itself, but we must learn to read with our eyes open in order to find theanswers.2) The context13

Questions of* Helpful tools: Bible dictionary, Bible handbook, good translation, andcommentaries** Commentaries are helpful, but should be the last thing one resorts to.The second task of interpretation: hermeneutics(What does it mean here and now?)Hermeneutics actually covers the entire field of interpretation, including exegesis, but its morespecific meaning is asking the question “What does this passage mean in the here and now?”** We begin with exegesis because understanding the original intent must always be theforerunner of properly determining how the passage applies in the here and now.A text always means for us what it meant for those who originally heard it, although it may alsocontain another deeper meaning (as is the case when the New Testament interprets the OldTestament – e.g. Deut. 25:4; 1 Cor. 9:1-11; 1 Tim. 5:17-18). However, a text cannot mean whatit never meant.The Basic Tools We Use1) A good translationThe Bible was originally written in three languages: Hebrew (most of the OldTestament), Aramaic (half of Daniel and two passages in Ezra), and Greek (all of the NewTestament). Most of us don’t know these languages, so we rely on a translation into the Englishlanguage. If we only read the Bible in English, we are at the mercy of the translators, who oftenhad to make difficult decisions concerning the true meaning of passages in the original language.Consider this passage:1 Corinthians 7:36 –KJV – “If a man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin ”NASB – “If a man think that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter ”NIV – “If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to ”14

NEB – “If a man has a partner in celibacy and feels that he is not behaving properlytowards her ”The KJV is very literal, but also very ambiguous. Certainly, Paul did not mean to be ambiguous.He intended one of the other three options. The Corinthians had written him a letter whichinvoked this response, so they knew what he meant by this wording but we do not know forsure. The translators had to interpret the text. So what do we do?Although you may use only one translation mainly, it is good to have several translations onhand to check out such passages. The better translations will have notes in the margin in difficultspots such as these.2) A good Bible dictionaryA Bible dictionary has articles on most all of the persons, places and subjects in the Bible.It offers insight on cultural information that isn’t necessarily common knowledge and thathelps tremendously at exegesis and hermeneutics3) A Bible handbook or encyclopediaDoes the same thing as a Bible dictionary4) A ConcordanceLists all of the words in the Bible and cross references them with their original Greek orHebrew words and meanings.5) Bible CommentariesGood Bible Commentaries can offer the wisdom of men of God and insight to themeaning of passages as well as how these passages relate to the book as a whole. Theyshould, however, be consulted only after you have worked at getting the real meaning ofthe passage from the Bible itself. (The opinions found in the commentaries are notnecessarily those of God!)15

Principles of Biblical InterpretationSession Three NotesLearning how to readHow not to read the Bible:How to read the Bible:ReadReadReadRead 16

ReadReadReadReadGRAMMATICAL STRUCTURELITERARY STRUCTUREBiographical Structure (key persons)Geographical Structure (key places)Historical Structure (key events)Chronological structure (key timesIdeological Structure (key ideas)ReadReadAssignment Two: Use the ten reading strategies listed above and read Titus 1:5-9, payingattention to terms and grammatical structure. Write down a list of what you observe. Submityour finding to your instructor via email.17

Observation:Things to Look For:1) Things that area)b)c)d)2) Things that area)b)c)d)3) Things that area)b)c)4) Things that are anda)b)c)5) Things that area)b)c)18

Summarize your observationsMaking use of a chart to get the big pictureThe miracles of Mark lDisciplesJesusDemonPossesse Mentald ManJesusManTownsPeopleWoman PhysicalWithEmotionaHemorra rMeansResultsSpeaksAGreatCalmNo Faith!Only FearSittingClothedIn RightMindRecognition. Desireto WalksEatsFaithHer FaithMade HerWholeGreatFaithStudy it from right to left. From top to bottom. What kind of faith did each person have? Howdid the miracles crescendo? Arranged Climactically, Jesus has power over, elements, mental/spiritual, physical, death!Disciples, great fear – Jairus, great faith!Etc .19

Assignment Three:Construct a comparable chart for the parable of the soils found in Matthew 13:1-23. Also write afew paragraphs about the observations you made on the passage using the material covered inthis session. Submit your findings to your instructor via email.Chart of the Parable of the Soils, Matt rvations:20

InterpretationActs 8:26-39 –Interpretation is the process of . It has been called “Thinking God’sthoughts after Him.”It is impossible to understand what a writer until you first notice what the writer. Therefore, to observe well is to interpret well.Psalm 119:34 – “Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law, and keep it with all myheart.”Why interpret?1)2)3)3)Other reasons to learn how to interpret1)2)3)4)5)6)21

Five Keys to Interpretation1)2)3)Sola scriptura4)5)Never forget the order: Scripture first, then other sources22

Let’s give interpretation a try!Romans 12:1-2I urge you therefore, brethren,by the mercies of God,to present your bodiesa living and holy sacrifice,acceptable to God,which is your spiritual service of worship.And do not be conformed to this world,but be transformedby the renewing of your mind,that you may approve what the will of God is,that which is goodand acceptableand perfect.Assignment Four: Repeat the above process for Matthew 13:15-17. Submit your work to yourinstructor via email.23

ApplicationJames 1:22-25 –Two steps:1) We must get into the Word ourselves2) The Word must get into us to change our character and conductPitfalls to avoid: Substitute interpretation for application – Substitute superficial obedience for real life-change – Substitute rationalization for real repentance – Substitute emotional experience for a willful decision. (emote but make no realchange)Four Steps in Application1) KnowKnow Your Text –Know Yourself –2) Relate24

3) Meditate4) PracticeNine questions to ask1)2)3)4)5)6)7)8)9)Learning how to spot principles to live byThere are certain things that the Bible never mentions. How are we to get Biblical wisdom onsomething the Bible never mentions?A Principle is:25

Understanding the difference between Law, Principle and FreedomLawPrincipleFreedomIf we have a grip on basic principles of Scripture, we will have an arsenal ofammunition from which to live out the Word we are studying.Where do we start?“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach Hisstatutes and ordinances in Israel.”Ezra 7:10“Give me understanding, That I may observe Thy law, and keep it with all my heart.”Psalm 119:3426

Principles of Biblical InterpretationSession Four NotesUnderstanding the EpistlesWhat are the epistles?The epistles are letters intended, at least for the most part, to be read publicly as amessage to the church in the cities to which they were written.The Epistles must be read and understood as separate letters, yet interpreted in light of allother scripture It is crucial to note that the epistles are all:documents, that is, there was a reason or special occasion towhich each of them was writtendocuments, that is, although they were inspired bythe Holy Spirit and therefore they belong to all time, the context of the author and the originalrecipients cannot be neglected.** It is the two factors mentioned above that make them difficult to interpret at times. Alsokeep in mind these two points: We don’t always know the questions or problems that spawned these letters, or ifthere were any problems. They don’t contain the entirety of Peter, Paul, James or John’s theology. They are nottheological treaties, although they do contain practical theology, or theology meant tobe applied to a certain situation they are not, in themselves, all inclusive.27

The historical contextFirst, we must try to the situation to which the author isspeaking. What was going on in Corinth that sparked 1 Corinthians?How did he come to learn about it?What was his relationship and history with the Corinthians?What attitudes are reflected in the letter?How do we go about finding these things out?1)2)3)4)5)The Literary ContextRemember: What’s the point? It is essential that we learn to think in paragraphs if we are to understand what isreally being said. (expository teaching vs. isolating scriptures) In a compact sentence, write down the thought of each paragraph. Why does Paul say this right at this point?1 Corinthians 3-6Points to remember: Many times the reason some texts are so difficult to us is that they were not written tous However, even if we cannot be certain of some details, often the point of the wholepassage is within our grasp. Learn to ask and discern what is certain and what is possible but not certain On some difficult questions a good commentary may help.28

The hermeneutical questionsSo what do these passages (the epistles) mean to us today? How do we find this out?Consider these two questions: What is and therefore belongs to the first century alone? What culture and is thus a word for all seasons?All of us are involved in hermeneutics without realizing it.We can learn to use our common sense to pick out what seems to apply to our situation andwhat does not. For example, which passage applies to us?2 Timothy 4:13 -- “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and myscrolls, especially the parchments.”2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman whodoes not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”We don’t have much trouble handling these types of passages, but the ones that are inbetween the ones which some of us think we are to obey implicitly and others of us are nottoo sure there lies the problem. Consider:1 Timothy 5:23 – “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomachand your frequent illnesses.”The flaw in our hermeneutics is that we interject our theological beliefs, our culturalnorms, our traditions and opinions into the passage. This results in all kinds of selectivityand “getting around “ certain texts.Another exampleWhy is it that most churches who believe that women are forbidden to speak in theassembly on the basis of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 also argue against everything else in chapter14? How can they do this? It happens because it is easy for ecclesiastical traditions to cloudgood hermeneutics. How can we avoid this?29

The Rules for Interpreting a Text A text cannot mean what it to its author or his orher readers.Example: 1 Corinthians 13:10(For example, 1 Cor. 13:10: “that which is perfect” – the one thing the text could notmean is that spiritual gifts will vanish. Knowledge would also have to be done away,despite the fact that Paul’s readers did not know that there was going to be a NewTestament he could not be referring to this they would not have gotten this out ofthe passage.)That is why exegesis must come first. This rule doesn’t always help us find out what atext meant, but it can help us decide what it doesn’t mean. Whenever we share similar specific life situations with the first century setting,God’s is the same as His .Example: Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8-9(e.g., it is still true that “all have sinned “ and that “by grace we are saved throughfaith”)The ProblemsExtended ApplicationCan you extend the application of a text to apply to a different context or situation?For example:2 Corinthians 6:13 says “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” There is nothing inthe text that even remotely infers that Paul is talking about marriage here. We can’t be sureto what he is referring perhaps to idolatry, for that is the context. But can we extend theapplication of this scripture to include marriage (as is common today)?Applications of comparable contexts can only be extended when that extension is clearlytaught in other portions of scripture. Since we cannot be sure of its original meaning, can wenot legitimately extend the principle of this text to mean not marrying unbelievers? Probablyso, but only because it is a biblical principle that can be sustained elsewhere in scripture. If itwere not, we would be wrong in assuming this interpretation of the passage.30

Texts that are not comparable to todayWhat do we do with issues that have no present counterparts, or are highlyimprobable? For example:There are several such problems in 1 Corinthians 8-10. There were Christians whoargued that it was okay to attend pagan feasts at temples of idols. Of course, the problem isthat this kind of idolatry isn’t known in our Western culture. So How do these kinds of 1st century problems speak to us in the twentieth century?Usually, if we have done our exegesis right, we find a clear has beengiven to the original hearers within the text. The will usuallytranscend time and culture, even if the does not.** Look for the principle given, not necessarily the specific application.Example: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16The principle is: no one should do anything that distracts from the glory of God(especially by doing something that breaks convention (it was normal for a woman to coverher head) if one took this text literally in an American church today, she would surelyviolate the “spirit” of the text by keeping the “law” of the text. Paul was speaking to acustom.For example, Paul forbids the Corinthians from participating in feasts held in the temple ofidols (1 Cor. 10:14-22). This is not a problem that we face today. What are the principleshere?1) The stumbling block principle – I won’t do anything that is a stumbling block, thatdestroys my brother (not merely offends)2) Do not participate in the demonic. (What is demonic to us today? All forms ofspiritism, witchcraft, astrology, etc.)31

We must learn that there are matters of indifference and matters that count.Distinguishing between the two is a key to applying the message of the epistlesto our lives in the twenty-first century.Example: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1Eating marketplace idol food was a matter of indifference – to Paul and to God! But not soto others. (See also Romans 14, Col. 2:16-23) Some current issues include make-up, certaintypes of food and drink, jewelry, movies, dancing, TV, mixed swimming, etc.In that day it was things such as footwashing, holy kiss, eating meat offered to idols,women having their head covered when praying or prophesying, women teaching in thechurchGuidelines for what are indifferent matters and what are not1) What the epistles specifically state as indifferences are still indifferences: food,drinks, observance of days, etc.2) Matters that tend to differ from culture to culture, even between genuine believers,may usually be considered indifferent.3) The sin lists in the epistles (Rom. 1:29-30; 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:2-4) do notcontain indifferences nor cultural items, they are sins!4) Although we may disagree on what are sins and what are indifferences, according toRomans 14 we all must not judge nor look down on one another the higher law islove.Final thoughts on the Epistles1) Because they are occasional documents written in the 1st century, we must accept thatat times there will be limitations to our theological understanding. The Holy Spiritgave us everything we need, but not always everything we want2) While they were written to answer their specific questions, they do not always answerour questions today, but the principles derived from them will3) The real point is not so much learning more information as it is obeying and walkingin the light that we do have32

Understanding Old Testament NarrativesWhat are Narratives?Narratives are stories. The Bible is, after all, God’s story, made up of lots of smallerstories, all of which are utterly true, and critically important.The Bible narratives tell things that happened but there is a greater p

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation Course Introduction This course will present a brief overview of the different literary styles of the Bible, seeking to get a grip on the Bible as a whole while emphasizing the