Christians, how do you discern the context of a Scripture?

Question

Christians, how do you discern the context of a Scripture?

Answer 1

One important thing I learned from my brief Homiletics course was to get the big picture of a passage -- never view it in isolation, but study what came just before and after, so that it was possible to grasp some idea of context. That is an important discipline. Of course, if you are following a particular course of Bible reading and following through consecutive chapters, you will have ome grasp of this anyway. It is important to read of the historical context of the passage, what was happening in people's lives and what the people for whom the words were initially intended needed to be shown. Most important of all, however, is to ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and discernment in reading the Scripture, as without His illumination we risk going astray in our understanding and also in what we reveal to others.

Answer 2

Hi Carl,



Personally, I always read the whole context that frames a scripture. I use a technique which I was taught in church some years ago, which is referred to as Biblical Exegesis:



a) Who is speaking?



b) What is being presented overall? and where else is the particular topic discussed in The Bible?



c) Who is this being presented to?



d) What are the idioms that are used, and how were they understood at the time of the original address?



e) Regarding The 2 Testaments, does the rule/law command translate over from the Old to the New and better Covenant of Christ? (many Pseudo-Christian cults for example have an unhealthy emphasis upon The Old covenant in order to deceive their followers).



f) When comparing the English words with the original language, does the human teacher use a meaning right down the list or the likely meaning, and does the meaning presented by the teacher jive with the rest of scripture?



g) Ask in prayer for God to give me discernment, because if it is left to natural degrees of discernment, it will be 'OFF'



h) Make comparison between the Old King James text and any other (I always give preference to OKJ version, as I feel strongly that others are and will be increasingly watered-down versions.

Answer 3

The first think I do is ask the Holy Spirit for clarity because He was sent to lead and guide us into all truth (John 16:13). I try to notice words such as "therefore" which would cause me to read what went before because it means "consequently, or accordingly or for this reason or as a result of this" and I would notice words such as "after this" which would show me I need to take in the previous event in case it is relevant, and I particularly note "In Him" because in Him means in Christ and is relevant to me being as I am, In Him and a born again Christian.



If the context still isn't clear, I often go to other references where it is clearer having been recorded again by let's say a different disciple or another apostle as some people clarify some points of an event and others clarify something else (which is exactly why the Old KJV says, "Gospel ACCORDING TO so-and-so) since in every event, we all see something perhaps that someone else missed or from a different perspective.



Sometimes context actually refers to a particular day such as the Sabbath, or a state - the physically circumcised (which can clarify whether the passage is speaking specifically to Jews or not.)



Sometimes context is where the event occurred, such as when Peter performed a miracle healing on the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. That event happened at the Temple and it occurred to me that this man was carried to the gate daily for many many years to ask for alms for he had been a cripple from birth. That means Jesus must have passed this man by hundreds of time during His 3 and a half years of ministry yet Jesus didn't heal Him. This bring in another perspective to think about when pondering answers.



Context to me is extremely important and I regularly look up words and their meanings in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance or use another version of the Bible. It is all helpful when discerning context.

Answer 4

I'm not sure I understand the question. The context is there for you. You read it "in the context" of the rest of the passage it appears in, and within the social and historical context (background) when it was written. For this, I often consult a trusted commentary or Bible dictionary.



As to knowing whether or not a scripture is applicable in your situation, common sense helps a lot, as does prayer and listening for the answer, either in your heart or from older and wiser believers.



ETA: Also the Bible supports itself, in the sense that before a person tries to make "doctrine" out of an idea, they should see if the same ideas are supported in both Testaments. If not, look again. Anyone who has studied the entire Bible knows that the coming of Christ and the plan of salvation is announced from Genesis 3 on. That's just one example; there are many.

Answer 5

Some Scriptures don't need to context to have real meaning, but if they do then it might be necessary to read the whole chapter. The first verse tells us something. Hebrews 11:6 can be used by itself without the context. Sometimes I quote 2 or 3 or more verses together to get the full meaning, such as Prov. 4:20-22.



Hebrews 11:6

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.



Proverbs 4:20-22

20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.



21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.



22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.



The Holy Spirit gives understanding and discernment, and if I need to I check with another translation. Besides the KJV, I like the NASB, and NLT, the most and also like the NIV, Ampified, God's Word, the Message, Good News and several other versions.

Answer 6

If there is any confusion in the least..I look up all the verses pertaining to this particular subjects and get a really clear understanding of what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach me.I never take one verse and make a whole understanding on these few letters. That is why God gave us a concordance so we could look up all the verses He has for us on the subject we are looking at and digest all the meaning to make a clear thought....all in the Holy spirit and with out Him we can understand NOTHING.All Light comes from Him---our teacher.

Answer 7

I like to get help that explains the Greek in the NT. It is slow going because

it is intense. The books I have go into why this word was used, not that one,

and then the tense of the verb, eg. is it aorist, or which preposition is used

and why. It's profound. It's hard, and it's wonderful. I find I can't do much

at one time. Then I do like to answer bible questions here which causes

me to dig into it because a question wants answering, doesn't it.

Then, when I go into things Jesus said and did, I envision it, and

I imagine myself there, what it would be like, what the atmosphere

was like, how did Jesus handle it?

But one of the finest things I like to do is discuss it with my spouse

who knows a lot more than I do, keeps me from going wrong.

We need each other, don't you find?

I also saw a serious women's group online that likely would

be good also, but not sure yet...so upcoming.

Answer 8

for myself I use three parts:



finding the word in either Greek or Hebrew

seeking out guidance from the Spirit

Comparing to all the verses to bring understanding. It should line up with the rest of New Testament and generally it is written more than once. Or, the meaning with the same context is found elsewhere in the bible

Answer 9

the first place to start is to look at what type of genre the writing is in. the bible is composed of many different genre styles. the bible is composed of historical writings, poetic writings, law, and prophetic. so, I would look at the genre of whatever scripture you are reading. then there are some books in the bible that contain a sort of mix. in this case you would look at surrounding scripture. one thing that one should do, is to try to understand how, the author would have understood the text. this is the most accurate way of reading scripture in context. but to read in the way you are going to have to do a little more work. you are going to have to do some research basically about the BC hebrew culture for the OT, as well as the first century jewish culture for the NT. in order to read the text in good context you are going to have to take off you worldview, and put on their world view.

Answer 10

Read the whole chapter for one, and if it's about a certain topic I would look for other verses/passages as well, starting from beginning of the Bible to the end to get a complete picture of what God has revealed about that topic. A reference Bible is useful for this as it gives other references on the spot to look up/verify the context. Other verses are just plain clear as day...



2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Answer 11

Christ answered that when He gave the great commission, "Wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon you and He will teach you and remind you of the things I have said".



The Holy Spirit is the one to lead us to know or discern the context of scripture.



Sometimes God will use men to bring this message forward but we should never trust mere men we need to test everything we are taught to see if it applicable to the word of God.



Some cults just believe every word written by their Governing Body and never question it in any way, God gave us the example of the Bereans to show us we need to ensure we are hearing the word of God and not man's word or even Satan's word.



Some cults change their teaching every time they change their leadership and then a few more just to be sure. One changed its teaching on the resurrection of the Sodomites 3 times in just one year.They wont be resurrected despite what we said last year, Yes they will be resurrected as we said last year, no we were right to change it they will not be resurrected.



The major problem is that the brainwashed JW followers just continue to believe every change without question.

Answer 12

We cannot discern without the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth and enables us to understand spiritual truths in spiritual words (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13)

I try to remember to always ask God to open my ears and my mind through His Spirit.

Answer 13

question, you a linguist or do you enable a preacher to inform you what it skill? have you ever studied the historic previous of the writings? what's proper know-how, does that recommend it ought to help the dogma? many individuals have studied the bible for decades, we honestly study the bible, i do not many Xians that do. I nevertheless learn, i stumble upon that what's practiced as we communicate no 1st, 2d or third century Xian would understand. Your proper learn is needed inspite of the indisputable fact that the top effects gained't consistently be your end.

Answer 14

I go to church every Sunday and Holy Day and listen to the sermons, which are entirely Biblically oriented, and then I read material that is approved by the Pope, which is entirely Biblically oriented, and then I read, and actually copy, the Bible by ball point pen onto looseleaf paper in order to slowly and methodically "take-in" the Bible and understand the fullness of it when compared to the sermons and readings. I've completed one copy so far and am now working on copies 2-5 simultaneously. It's really intensive and rewarding. Roman Catholic Bibles only, of course. God Bless you.

Answer 15

dear Carl I wait online daily for you to tell me what I am reading in the bible. NOT! kidding you.



I read the scripture from several different translations and I also have the strongs concordance to break down each word and check it out then study it in w.e. vine bible dictionary then take it to the commentary by Matthew henry and finally pray and ask the One who wrote it in the first place the Holy Spirit what he meant.



did I pass your test? no matter we all do it differently according to how we learned it.



(((Carl))) whatcha? grins

Answer 16

I ask that the Holy Spirit helps me to understand things. There have been times when Gods Spirit shines through others and the understanding becomes certain, its like the piece that I need is shown to me, clear as daylight.

When one surrenders their life to Jesus completely, His Spirit dwells inside with a complete calm. We will always be learning and the Lord will help us, he sends his Holy Spirit to be with us & to teach us.

Answer 17

1. Through prayer and waiting. 2. By reading commentaries. 3. by comparing texts to one another. 4. by asking others who know

Answer 18

With the help of the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher and guide. He helps us understand God's word if we have questions. He brings us revelation of his word. :)



God bless you!

Answer 19

I ask in God. I know His Truth will shine through. Just as He IS in me and I am in Him, The Logos of Christ will always be revealed. :D



Peace and Blessings

Answer 20

Faith is a promise.

Believe the words of God as it is .

We meditate upon the word of God

with our mind and body.

Answer 21

What context?

Answer 22

LOL WUT?