The Context PrincipleThe Context Principle

I. What does the term “context” mean?

I. What does the term “context” mean?

A. The term “context” comes from a combination of two Latin words and literally means to “weave together.”

A. The term “context” comes from a combination of two Latin words and literally means to “weave together.”

B. In the medium of writing it refers to the relationship of a particular passage to the rest of the text that surrounds it.

B. In the medium of writing it refers to the relationship of a particular passage to the rest of the text that surrounds it.

C. In the broadest sense the actual context may go well beyond the written text to include the surrounding aspects that were present when the material was written.

C. In the broadest sense the actual context may go well beyond the written text to include the surrounding aspects that were present when the material was written.

Webster says that “context” is “the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage that can throw light on its meaning.”

Webster says that “context” is “the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage that can throw light on its meaning.”

II. What categories apply to context as it relates to biblical texts?

II. What categories apply to context as it relates to biblical texts?

There are four primary categories of context as it relates to the biblical text.

There are four primary categories of context as it relates to the biblical text.A. There is the scripture context.A. There is the scripture context.

There are four categories relative to the Scripture context.There are four categories relative to the Scripture context.

1. The Entire Bible, both Old and New Testament

1. The Entire Bible, both Old and New Testament

This means that the Bible must be seen as a complete entity. This means that the Bible must be seen as a complete entity.

2. The Old or New Testament2. The Old or New Testament

The Old and New Testament represent different covenants established on either side of the cross. In light of that, verses in the New Testament are interpreted differently from those in the Old Testament.

The Old and New Testament represent different covenants established on either side of the cross. In light of that, verses in the New Testament are interpreted differently from those in the Old Testament.

3. The Book of the Bible3. The Book of the Bible

Each book of the Bible was written into an historical context to a specific people with a specific purpose.

Each book of the Bible was written into an historical context to a specific people with a specific purpose. 4. The Passage Containing the

Text4. The Passage Containing the

TextThis is the relationship of a passage to the text in which it is located. Any verse of the Bible is immediately surrounded by other verses.

This is the relationship of a passage to the text in which it is located. Any verse of the Bible is immediately surrounded by other verses.

Bible > Testament > Book > Passage > Text > Words

Bible > Testament > Book > Passage > Text > Words

B. There is the historical context.B. There is the historical context.

This is the relationship of a passage to the historical setting in which it was written. What was the date for the writing of the book and what events were happening at that time? At that time in history, what was the nature of the original reader’s relationship to God? Who was the author?

This is the relationship of a passage to the historical setting in which it was written. What was the date for the writing of the book and what events were happening at that time? At that time in history, what was the nature of the original reader’s relationship to God? Who was the author?

C. There is the cultural context.C. There is the cultural context.

Every verse of the Bible was written in a certain cultural context. Discovering the cultural context is discovering what the passage meant to that people, at that time, in that place and in that cultural setting.

Every verse of the Bible was written in a certain cultural context. Discovering the cultural context is discovering what the passage meant to that people, at that time, in that place and in that cultural setting.

The cultural context includes things like the political, religious, economic, legal, agricultural, architectural, dietary, and other social issues.

The cultural context includes things like the political, religious, economic, legal, agricultural, architectural, dietary, and other social issues.

D. There is the literary context.D. There is the literary context.

The literary context refers to the literary style or genre of the book or section in which a passage is located. Scholars identify over six different styles used in the Bible but the overarching theme is that each genre of Scripture has a different set of rules that apply to it.

The literary context refers to the literary style or genre of the book or section in which a passage is located. Scholars identify over six different styles used in the Bible but the overarching theme is that each genre of Scripture has a different set of rules that apply to it.

The most common styles used are narratives, histories, prophecies, letters, poetry and apocalyptic writings.

The most common styles used are narratives, histories, prophecies, letters, poetry and apocalyptic writings.

III. What are some questions to ask when using the context principle?

III. What are some questions to ask when using the context principle?

The following is adapted from an unpublished article by Lanny Hubbard titled Committed to the Study of God’s Word.

The following is adapted from an unpublished article by Lanny Hubbard titled Committed to the Study of God’s Word.

When studying any specific text, ask questions regarding each of the following areas:

When studying any specific text, ask questions regarding each of the following areas:

A. The VerseA. The Verse

• What do the words mean that are used in the verse?• What do the words mean that are used in the verse?

B. The PassageB. The Passage

• How does the text relate to the surrounding verses?• How does the text relate to the surrounding verses?

• Which verses before and after make up the immediate context?• Which verses before and after make up the immediate context?

• How do the surrounding verses help me understand my text?• How do the surrounding verses help me understand my text?

• Does the verse begin, develop or end a section?• Does the verse begin, develop or end a section?

C. The BookC. The Book

• What is the purpose and message of the book?• What is the purpose and message of the book?

• How does the passage fit into the outline and development of the book?

• How does the passage fit into the outline and development of the book?• Is the meaning I am giving to the verse consistent with the rest of the message of the book?

• Is the meaning I am giving to the verse consistent with the rest of the message of the book?

• Does it make sense?• Does it make sense?

D. The TestamentD. The Testament

• Are there other passages in other books that are similar in message or structure?

• Are there other passages in other books that are similar in message or structure?• Is the meaning I am giving the passage consistent with or contradictory to things said in other books in that testament?

• Is the meaning I am giving the passage consistent with or contradictory to things said in other books in that testament?

E. Whole BibleE. Whole Bible

• Is the meaning I am giving to a passage consistent with or contrary with the rest of Scripture?

• Is the meaning I am giving to a passage consistent with or contrary with the rest of Scripture?• How does the passage relate to the rest of Scripture? Is it similar or dissimilar?

• How does the passage relate to the rest of Scripture? Is it similar or dissimilar?

IV. What are some examples of the misuse of the context principle?

IV. What are some examples of the misuse of the context principle?

A. I Corinthians 15:32A. I Corinthians 15:32

The Bible says, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”The Bible says, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

Compare: I Pet. 4:3-4Compare: I Pet. 4:3-4

B. John 12:32B. John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. –KJV

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. –KJV

C. Proverbs 23:7C. Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. –KJV For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. –KJV

Expanding the context and read Proverbs 23:6-8 from a couple of other translations…

Expanding the context and read Proverbs 23:6-8 from a couple of other translations…

Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. –NIV

Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. –NIV

Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. ‘Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it. They are always thinking about how much it costs. You will vomit up the delicious food they serve, and you will have to take back your words of appreciation for their “kindness.” –NLT

Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. ‘Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it. They are always thinking about how much it costs. You will vomit up the delicious food they serve, and you will have to take back your words of appreciation for their “kindness.” –NLT

D. II Corinthians 10:3-5D. II Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…

E. Ephesians 6:12E. Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

F. Ephesians 4:27F. Ephesians 4:27

…nor give place to the devil.…nor give place to the devil.

…and do not give the devil a foothold. –NIV …and do not give the devil a foothold. –NIV