Hermeneutics: pt 2

HERMENEUTICS:
the science and art of biblical interpretation

EXEGESIS:
to "draw out"
from the text

EISEGESIS:
to "read into"
the text

Study the Bible according to its literal, historical, grammatical meaning.

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When mishandled, the Bible can be a DANGEROUS book...

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”"
- Genesis 3:1

"And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”"
- Luke 4:9-11

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
- 2 Timothy 2:15

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
- Matthew 7:1

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"There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
- James 4:12

"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
- James 5:19-20

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
- Matthew 7:1

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
- Galatians 6:1-2

Matthew 7:1 - What this verse really means: Stop hypocritically judging others, and get the sin out of your own life.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. "
- Jeremiah 29:11-13

It's going to happen...

Jeremiah 29:11-13 - What this verse really means: God has a future plan of good for His people and He
is always faithful!

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
- Matthew 18:20

Matthew 18:20 - What this verse really means: When the church practices Biblical church discipline, it can have confidence that God is with them.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 - What this verse really means: Christians can have confidence that even when things seem to go horribly wrong here on earth; the end (eternal) result will be that God has worked it all together for good.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."
- Colossians 1:15

Colossians 1:15 - What this verse really means: Jesus is God, and He has full authority over all creation.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
- 1 Timothy 6:10

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1 Timothy 6:10 - What this verse really means: The love of money is the root of all
kinds of evil.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13 - What this verse really means: God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to handle.

"Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not
depart from it."
- Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22:6 - What this verse really means: As a general principle (proverb); when a child is trained up in the right way, then (as a general principle) when they get older they will keep going in the right way.

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
- Philippians 4:13

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Phillippians 4:13 - What this verse really means: No matter whether I’m hungry or full, no matter whether I have a lot or I have a little, no matter what, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can be content and do God’s will - no matter what!

"But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."
- Exodus 21:23-25

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Exodus 21:23-25 - What this verse really means: (As Israelites living under Theocratic rule then) When your legal system punishes evil, be sure that it does so justly: equal punishment for equal crime.

Discussion Questions

• How many of these ten verses have you heard “misused” before?
• What are some key hermeneutic principles that help us to interpret these and other Scriptures properly?
• Why is it important that a verse has “one interpretation, many applications”?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding the Bible?

Sources/Recommended Reading

• Moody Handbook of Theology - Dr Paul Enns
• Basic Bible Interpretation - Dr Roy B Zuck
• Bible Study Methods - Dr Rick Warren
• The Most Misused Verses in the Bible - Dr Eric J Bargerhuff