Hermies and Exies

Context

find the context of the verse
read before and after the verse

ask: what is being talked about in the paragraph, chapter, book it is found?
ask: what is the main point of the surrounding passage?
ask: how does the verse fit with the flow of what is being said?

ask: who wrote the verse, to whom was it written, where, when, why?
ask: what type of Bible literature is the verse found in?
(i.e. an epistle? historical narrative? poetical book? prophecy? etc.)

point: seek to know the context of the verse
point: do not pull a verse out of its context
point: do not use a verse as a prooftext
(trying to prove your point while wresting the verse out of its context)

Hermies and Exies

Rule: the Bible's Primary Purpose

our learning the way of salvation through the Bible is excellent...
but it is not the primary purpose of the Bible

our increasing in Bible knowledge (once we are saved) is excellent...
but it is not the primary purpose of the Bible

our lives being changed through and by the Bible is excellent...
but it is not the primary purpose of the Bible

our being guided by, comforted by, and encouraged by the Bible is excellent...
but it is not the primary purpose of the Bible


the primary purpose of the Bible is...
to reveal God
and bring glory to Him

we come to know Him (insofar as He has revealed Himself to us)
we become a part of bringing glory to Him
by making Him accurately known
according to what the Scriptures actually teach about Him
with the result of His being praised, celebrated, and worshiped
as He should be


conclusion:
while not excluding us (it is a revelation of God to us, and His will for us)
God's Word is not about us
it's about Him

Hermies and Exies

Rule: the Bible is the Authority

it is God speaking to us

in the Son (Jesus, the Word), and His revelation of the Father (Heb 1:2a; Mt 11:27b)

in the written Word (the Bible), men having spoken as moved by God's Holy Spirit (2 Pt 1:21)

Jesus repeatedly asserted Scripture's authority (the 4 Gospels)
the Bible authoritatively bears witness about and to Jesus Christ (Jn 5:39)

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(expanded)

all Scripture is for us
(for our knowledge, instruction, encouragement, benefit, etc.)
but not all Scripture is directly to us
(commands to us)

not all things that people did in the Bible are authoritative for us (to do)
not all things God commanded of others is required of us (to do)

all that God's Word commands and directs us (new covenant believers)
to know, believe, do
is fully authoritative for us

all that the Bible teaches is authoritative

Hermies and Exies

(new series - Hermies and Exies)

Simple Definitions

hermeneutics - principles used to interpret Bible
exegesis - process of applying hermeneutics
interpretation - explain the meaning

exegesis - pull out of :)
eisegesis - put into :(

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(expanded)

hermeneutics
- literally = translation / interpretation
- generally = whole field of Bible interpretation
- popularly = principles used to interpret Bible

exegesis
- process of applying hermeneutics
- bringing out / drawing out of Scripture
. what is actually in the text
. Author's original meaning
. correct interpretation
- note: say no to eisegesis (putting into / reading into the text what is not actually there) - do not add to Scripture - this leads to wrong interpretations

interpretation
- to explain the meaning of something
- note: don't avoid interpreting the Bible, but don't give own personal interpretation - interpret according to Author's original meaning