Context: In its simplest form "context" means to be in agreement with the text. This means that the verse(s) being read must be considered along with those preceding and/or following it. God’s truths on a particular subject is not always determined by a single passage but may include other verses, chapters, or even an entire book. . Too many seize on a particular passage either out of ignorance, or simply as a means to justify their argument, failing to read all pertinent and related passages on the subject. God’s teachings on Salvation, for example, are not contained in one passage. So, some falsely teach that Baptism is not necessary, that one can be saved by faith only. Only by examining all relevant passages can one come to a full understanding of God’s truth on a subject. The rule is: truth on any particular subject can only be determined by reading all pertinent passages.
Background: Background means that we need to consider who is speaking and who is being addressed. Historical background is sometimes important. For example, recounting the birth of Jesus, Matthew tells us that "…Jesus was born in the days of Herod the king…." (Mt. 2:2) Since Herod was a title, to which Herod is this reference made?.
Word meanings: The Bible is inspired of God. The words are the words of God. So we need to understand the words. Very often the same word is used but will have different meanings because of the context in which they are used. For example the word "good" can have various meanings dependent on how it is used in a sentence. It can be used in a sense to mean: (1) Having proper qualities; (2) Beneficial; (3) Valid or real; (4) Healthy or sound; (5) Honorable; (6) Enjoyable or pleasant; (7) Virtuous or devout; (8) Kind or merciful; (9) Skilled; (10) Dutiful. So one needs to read the context to be able to understand what is meant by the use of a particular word. Also, word meanings change. Words that are used today may not have the same meaning as those used in the Bible. So we need to learn the correct meaning by understanding how the word is used. Failure to understand this one fact is what has caused more false teaching and confusion in the religious world. Dictionaries can help us but we need to study the passage(s) ourselves and try to determine the meaning by looking at the context and other related passages. Failure to do so leads those who are determined to misinterpret the passage into misunderstanding and the teaching of false doctrines.
Literal Language: When we can read a passage in such a way that there is no chance for misunderstanding, conflict, contradiction, or ridiculous conclusions, then most probably we can be assured that the language can be taken as literal. Otherwise, we need to examine whether the writer is employing either figurative or symbolic language.
Figurative Language: There are several types of figurative language used in the Bible. For example:
Parables: The word "parable" is used 46 times in the New Testament. Put simply, a parable is a comparison between two objects for the purpose of teaching. As it is used in the Bible, it is an earthly story that has a heavenly meaning. It was a method of teaching that Jesus used to show His hearers a comparison between something with which they were familiar and something with which they were not. For example, in the parable of the sower. The audience obviously would be familiar with sowing seed, since they were an agricultural based society. However, they would not understand the application that the seed was the word of God or the illustration reflecting the various states of the heart in receiving the word. It is estimated that Jesus told over 40 parables during the period of his ministry.
Similes: A simile is a comparison between two things, where one thing is likened to another. The word "like" or "as" appears between the two things being compared. For example, we are told that "Jesus was "led as a sheep to the slaughter" (Isa. 53:6-7): and on Pentecost that "cloven tongues appeared unto them like as of fire…." (Acts 2:3)
Metaphor: The metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is used to represent another. For example, when Jesus said, "this is my body" and "this is my blood" The word "this" used in these passages refers, respectively, to the bread and fruit of the vine. These statements are metaphors where Jesus is saying that the bread represents His body and the fruit of the vine represents His blood. In spite of this, there are those who are either determined to misunderstand, or have failed to understand this fact and have insisted on a literal translation of this passage.
Metonymy: A metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is exchange for another. That is, one thing is said but another is meant. For example, the expression that we find in 1 Cor. 11:26, referring to drinking the fruit of the vine, "…for as often as ye drink the cup…" has been misinterpreted by some so that they believe only one cup is necessary. However, a careful reading of the passage indicates that it is the contents that are being alluded to. One drinks the contents of a cup, not the cup. Part of distinguishing literal language from figurative is to examine the context to determine if what one reads is absurd.
Other Forms: Just as there are other kinds of figurative language in secular writings, so the Bible has allegories, irony, sarcasm, similitude, hyperbole, and other types too numerous to discuss here. In all cases, the rule is that one must interpret figurative language properly and not to force a literal translation.. Neither should a particular passage be mixed so that one would make literal what is obviously figurative and make figurative what is literal. If one interprets literal passage literally and figurative passages figuratively, then one’s Bible study will not only be more meaningful but the scriptures will have been understood as God has intended. Top
