Biblical Exegesis

2 Timothy 2.14-19

BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT

Oh, how I love your law!

I meditate on it all day long

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Psalm 119.97

GOLDEN TEXT

* Understand the importance of biblical exegesis for the church and for each person individually;

* Explain the meaning and purpose of biblical exegesis;

* Understand the principles and rules for the correct interpretation of Scripture.

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OBJECTIVES

Biblical exegesis is one of the main subjects in the curricula of seminaries and colleges of theology. Although the term seems distant from the general public, in fact, it is closer than one imagines, because it is related to the task of interpreting the Scriptures.

INTRODUCTION

Exegesis deals with the grammatical study of the biblical text and helps the reader of the sacred text in his useful understanding of the Scriptures, aiming at witnessing, preaching and teaching in the church.

THE HARD TASK OF INTERPRETATION

1 - THE HARD TASK OF INTERPRETATION

The purpose of exegesis

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The goal of exegesis

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Barriers to the use of exegesis

It is necessary to consider that the task of biblical interpretation, many times, is not so simple. The reader of the sacred text needs to keep in mind some very important variables:

• it was produced between the years 1600 BC - 99 AD;
• it was written in languages generally unknown to today's general public;
• there is a gap between the first recipients of the biblical text and the recipients of today.

1 - THE HARD TASK OF INTERPRETATION

1.1 – The purpose of exegesis

Considering that the sacred writers addressed their messages to their contemporaries, biblical exegesis proposes to basically answer the following questions:

• What was the meaning that the biblical author originally wanted to communicate?
• What did the inspired author want his original readers to understand?

From the moment the answers to these questions are obtained, temporal and cultural distances are attenuated.

1.2 – The goal of exegesis

Whereas exegesis seeks the meaning of the text for the audience to whom it was originally addressed, hermeneutics is concerned with how to apply that text in a practical way to the life of the current reader of the Scriptures, thereby giving it significance.

As the Bible is a book for all peoples and times, there is a meaningful, current and relevant way of applying its message to people's lives, regardless of the historical time in which they live. This fact makes it a wonderful, spectacular and incomparable book!

1.3 – Barriers to the use of exegesis

Misinformation, neglect or self-indulgence - the way of always doing things the same way -, become major obstacles and barriers to the broader understanding of the Scriptures.

1.3.1. The fixed ways and limitations of thinking

Prejudices and truths accepted as such, unquestionably, without the methods and procedures derived from biblical exegesis, keep people away from the great and true treasures of the Holy Bible.

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1.3.2 – A lack of desire to find the true meaning of Scripture

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The path of deeper knowledge of the Bible requires an open heart and a mind ready to acquire new knowledge. In this case, assumptions and guesses need to be modified from a more consistent and broader understanding of the text.

RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

Scripture must be interpreted, first of all, in its literal sense

2 - RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

The Bible must be interpreted in light of its own context

The biblical text should not be interpreted in isolation

2.1 – Scripture must be interpreted, first of all, in its literal sense

It is well known that the Bible is rich in figures of speech, allegories and symbolism. However, the first look that must be launched is at its literal meaning, not figuratively, that is, "to the letter".

2.2 - The Bible must be interpreted in light of its own context

This is the basic and golden rule of Scripture interpretation: each text must be compared with the texts that come before and after the passage under study, for the Bible interprets the Bible itself.

2.3 - The biblical text should not be interpreted in isolation

A single verse or passage of the Bible cannot be used in isolation, as it can lead the reader to hasty conclusions, mistakes and interpretation errors.

EXEGETICAL GUIDELINES

Exegesis in practice

Particularities to be observed in the exegetical process

3 – EXEGETICAL GUIDELINES

3.1 – Exegesis in practice

Here are some suggestions for exegetical practice:

• never neglect the context;
• construct a paraphrase of the text;
• note the narrative of the passage;
• clarify the meaning of words in the text;
• take notes;
• study the context carefully;
• address questions to the text that may clarify it;
• organize the text into major and minor sections;
• define the central theme and objectives of each book or biblical passage.

3.2 - Particularities to be observed in the exegetical process

• 3.2.1. The Direction of the Holy Spirit
• Exegetical work requires research and hard work; however, it cannot be limited to intellectual activity. The Bible student must have his heart open to the inspiration, anointing, and guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

• 3.2.2. The strategic place of exegesis
• When deciding on the use of a certain biblical text, the preacher (or teacher) must be careful to know, with certainty, if he has interpreted it correctly (Mt 28.19).

3.2.3 - The reversal of values

Currently, the church is experiencing a time when the teaching of the Scriptures is no longer a priority. The events, with quantitative and instantaneous results, surpassed the desire to know more deeply the nature of God, His only begotten Son and his purposes. It is urgent that the importance of knowledge of the Scriptures be rescued, in its broadest, deepest and truest sense.

Every person is free to read and interpret the Scriptures, but in the same measure, no one can go beyond the bounds of the sacred message. The interpreter must be a servant of what is recorded therein. Nobody has the right to assign their own conclusions

CONCLUSION

GOD BLESS YOU!

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