Lesson for August 25, 2024
Hermeneutics 101
Lesson 12
The Context Principle
Context is defined as the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, in terms in which it can be understood and assessed. Within the context of each passage of Scripture, there are certain principles that must be followed in order to reach the proper interpretation. Some passages are narratives. Some of these narratives are literal in their meaning, and some are symbolic or metaphoric in their meaning. There are even lies of individuals that are recorded in the Scriptures.
The First Mention Principle
The Word of God is His message to the human race for everyone to understand and obey. A principle that is invaluable when accurately interpreting Scripture is the first mention of a word or phrase. Adhering to this principle will give us a guide to how the word or phrase is being used elsewhere. This is not to say that this is the only consideration but is a part of the overall principle of interpretation.
An example of first mention is Genesis 1:2 where we read about the Holy Spirit for the first time. We see Him as an integral part of the recreation of the earth as He hovers over the waters of the earth. This first mention of the Holy Spirit lets us know that He is coequal and coeternal with God the Father and God the Son as He participates in creation. That truth never changes throughout Scripture. We also see for the first time the mention of Satan as a serpent, a subtle, deceitful creature and able to manipulate Eve into believing his lies in Genesis 3:1.
The Progressive Revelation Principle
As the Scriptures began to be recorded, we realize that the revelation of God’s truth to the human race is becoming increasingly clear as it unfolds. Since the creation of mankind, God the Holy Spirit has revealed more and more information about God and His plan for us. The writers of Scripture were moved by the Holy Spirit to record historical and theological facts that served to reveal God’s plan of salvation and the spiritual life. From Creation to the Battle of Gog and Magog, God carefully reveals Himself to mankind. We can clearly see the progression by means of Dispensational Theology, where God administers His policies in various ways.
The manner in which God has chosen to reveal Himself has varied down through the ages and will continue to do so until the end of human history. God has always desired that mankind knows Him and His plan of salvation. This desire was displayed in the Garden of Eden when Jesus Christ walked in the garden in the evening to fellowship with Adam and Eve and teach them truth. God continued to reveal His truth in many different ways down through the centuries. God’s plan for us has never changed, though His method of revealing that plan has changed. For example, in the Age of Israel God revealed His plan through rituals and types. This method demonstrated the coming work that the Messiah, Jesus Christ would do on behalf of mankind to redeem it from spiritual death. In the Church Age, God reveals His plan through the Canon of Scripture, the Bible.
The Syntax Principle
Syntax is defined as the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. Within the arrangement of the words and phrases that the writers of Scripture used were analogies, metaphors, idioms, anthropopathisms, anthropomorphisms, and hyperboles.
An analogy is defined as the comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification. For example, “walking in the Light,” in I John 1:5-7 is an analogy for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
A metaphor is defined as a figure of speech in which a phrase is applied to an object or an action to which it is not literally applicable. For example, “you are the temple of God,” in Matthew 26:26-28.
An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deductible from those of the individual words. For example, “the apple of His eye, in Deuteronomy 32:10.
An anthropopathism is attributing to God human emotions that He does not possess, such as hate, anger, malice, etc. For example, “So, the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind,” in Genesis 6:6.
An anthropomorphism is attributing to God human traits that He does not possess, such as hands, feet, eyes, etc. For example, “He did not reach out with His hand,” in Exodus 24:11.
A hyperbole is defined as an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally. For example, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your eye?” in Matthew 7:3.
The Etymology Principle
Etymology is defined as the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. We must remember that it is the original languages of Scripture that were inspired by God the Holy Spirit, not the translations of them. Since the meaning of words have changed even in the original language in which they were originally spoken or written, we must examine the origin of them in order to arrive at the proper meaning. Thus, the importance of examining the original languages of Scripture.
The Addressee Principle
When interpreting a passage of Scripture, to whom it was written must be considered in order to get the correct interpretation. If a verse or passage is being written to believers, it may have a different meaning than if it is being addressed to unbelievers. For example, “Faith without works is dead,” was addressed to believers who knew Christ as Savior, in James 2:14-17. Therefore, it was not a reference to salvation, but to demonstrating your faith before others.
The Custom Principle
The Bible must always be interpreted in the time it was written. The customs of the day often shed light on the meaning and interpretation of passages. Jewish and Gentile customs were not the same in biblical times. Customs in the Old Testament were different than customs in the New Testament. The Old Testament believers were primarily nomadic and traveled to many regions and countries. They relied on an agricultural economy and many passages must be interpreted with this in mind. In the New Testament, though they too relied on an agricultural economy in many regions, they also primarily lived in cities and were tradesmen.
The Illustrative Principle
Throughout Scripture, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, there are many illustrations of doctrinal truths. The writers of the New Testament often referred to prior historical events in order to illustrate a doctrinal truth like Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Whale, the story of the command to Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Issac, the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and many more.
The Comparison Principle
One of the best ways to arrive at the proper interpretation of a passage of Scripture is to compare similar passages. We must remember that the Word of God never contradicts itself. Any seeming contradiction can be explained by other verses or passages that are clear. In other words, always interpret an obscure passage from a clear passage. For example, “Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” in Acts 2:38. Compare this to over 150 verses in the New Testament that state that a person is forgiven their sin by faith alone in Christ’s payment for sin on the Cross, as in Acts 16:30-31, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, just to mention a couple.
The Repetition Principle
Quite often repetition within a verse is used to emphasize a doctrinal truth that follows. For example, “Truthfully, truthfully I say to you, the one who hears My word and believes on Him Who sent Me, has eternal life…” in John 5:24.
Sometimes, doctrinal truth is repeated in a verse or verses for confirmation. For example, compare an Old Testament passage in Psalm 16:7-11, written by David, to a New Testament passage Acts 2:29-32, written by Luke. The repetition by Luke clarifies that what was written by David referred to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. This was a prophecy fulfilled by Christ when He died and rose again after three days. His flesh did not suffer decay, He went to Hades (Sheol), and preached to those who were there.
Psalm 16:7-11, “I will bless the Lord who has advised me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol (Hades); you will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Acts 2:29-32, “Brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. So, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades (Sheol), nor did His flesh suffer decay. It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses.”