The Word - The Science of Biblical Interpretation - Part 2

The Word
The Science of Biblical Interpretation
Part 2

―I study my Bible as I gather apples.
First, I shake the whole tree that the
ripest might fall. Then I shake each
limb, and when I have shaken each
limb, I shake each branch and every
twig. Then I look under every leaf.‖
- Martin Luther

Hermeneutical Process

1. Observation – what do I see?
2. Interpretation – what does it mean?
3. Application – how does it apply?

The Word – The Science of Biblical Interpretation

Isn‘t that just YOUR interpretation…?


―I acknowledge that
Scripture is a most rich an
inexhaustible fountain of all
wisdom; but I deny that its
fertility consists in the
various meanings which any
man, at his pleasure, may
assign.‖
- John Calvin


Recommended Hermeneutical Philosophy

Literal-Historical-Grammatical Method
The aim of the historical-grammatical method is to discover the meaning of the
passage as the original author would have intended and what the original hearers
would have understood.


―You don‘t take the Bible literally do you…??!‖

―Is Jesus really a door?‖ (John 10:9) ―Does God have wings?‖ (Psalm 61:4)

‗Reductio ad absurdum‘ argument


Literal Interpretation
Phenomenological language
Phenomenological language is language that is
used to describe everyday things in common
speak:

"It came about at sunset that Joshua gave a
command, and they took them down from the
trees and threw them into the cave where they had
hidden themselves, and put large stones over the
mouth of the cave, to this very day."(Joshua
10:27).

Even today meteorologists don‘t speak of
―tomorrow‘s earth rotation will make the sun
disappear at 9pm‖, but speak of the ‗sunset‘.


Hyperbole
Hyperbole: ―obvious and intentional
exaggeration; an extravagant statement or figure
of speech not intended to be taken literally, as ―to
wait an eternity.‖‖

"So the Pharisees said to one another, ―You see
that you are not doing any good; look, the world
has gone after Him.‖"(John 12:19)

We use hyperbole all the time: ―I‘ve gotten a cold
a million times this year.‖


Metaphors
Metaphor: ―a figure of speech in which a
term or phrase is applied to something to
which it is not literally applicable in order
to suggest a resemblance.‖

"―For I proclaim the name of the Lord;
Ascribe greatness to our God! ―The
Rock! His work is perfect, For all His
ways are just; A God of faithfulness and
without injustice, Righteous and upright
is He."(Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

"―I am the door…"(John 10:9)

Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism: ―The representation of
God under a human form, or with human or
other living attributes and affections.‖

"Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me
take refuge in the shelter of Your wings."
(Psalm 61:4)

"―Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in
power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters
the enemy."
(Exodus 15:6)


Personification

Personification: ―the attribution of a
personal nature or character to inanimate
objects or abstract notion.‖

"―For you will go out with joy And be led
forth with peace; The mountains and the
hills will break forth into shouts of joy
before you, And all the trees of the field
will clap their hands."(Isaiah 55:12)


Symbolism
Object Meaning
Miraculous Symbols
Sword at east of Eden (Gen. 3:24) Breach of God/man fellowship
Burning Bush (Ex. 3:2) God‘s holiness and presence
Visionary Symbols
Dry bones given flesh (Ezek. 37) Israel physically restored
Four beasts (Dan. 7) Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome
Seven stars (Rev. 1:12) Ministers of the seven churches
Material Symbols
Blood Life
Bread and wine Christ‘s body and blood


Symbolism

― The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush;
and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not
consumed."(Exodus 3:2)

Fire=judgment. A judgment is coming upon Egypt but Israel will not be consumed.


Symbolism
A tree becomes
the physical source
of death for
mankind and
affects the first
Adam; a tree
becomes the
physical source of
life for mankind
and is brought
about by the last
Adam (Jesus)…


Symbolism

" Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth
passed away, and there is no longer any sea."(Revelation 21:1)

The sea oftentimes represents judgment, chaos, wicked humanity in Scripture.
Eternity will contain none of that.


Tips for Distinguishing between Literal and Figurative

• Use the literal sense unless there is some good reason for a
departure (e.g. Rev. 7:1-8)
• Use the figurative sense when the passage is stated to be figurative
(e.g. Zech. 126: - ―like‖)
• Use the figurative sense if the literal involves an impossibility (e.g.
Rev. 1:16)
• Use the figurative sense if the literal commands immoral action (e.g.
John 6:53 ―drink blood‖)
• Use the figurative sense if the expression fits into one of the figures
of speech (e.g. Zech 12:2 – a metaphor)
• Use the figurative sense if the literal involves a contradiction with a
parallel passage


The Difference Between Law & Proverb
Proverbs are generalized statements that include acting with wisdom
for certain situations

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will
also be like him.
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in
his own eyes.―
(Proverbs 26:4-5)

Which is it?


Context is Key for Literal Interpretation

How often have you heard this verse used to describe Heaven:

"but just as it is written, ―Things which eye has not seen and
ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of
man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.‖‖
(1 Corinthians 2:9)


Context is Key for Literal Interpretation
Now in context:
"Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor
of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God‘s wisdom in a mystery, the
hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none
of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, ―Things which eye has not seen and ear
has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for
those who love Him.‖ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit
searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a
man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows
except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we
also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit,
combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the
things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually appraised."(1 Corinthians 2:6-14)


Historical-Cultural Impact on Interpretation


Cultural Impact on Interpretation
"The younger of them said to his father, ‗Father, give
me share of the estate that falls to me. . . .
the
So he [the prodigal son] got up and came to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him
and kissed him."
(Luke 15:12, 20)

In the near-east culture, what the younger son did disgraced
his father. But the father runs to the son; had to pull up his
garments so he could run, which exposed his legs and was
considered disgraceful; Pharisees didn‘t walk thru unplowed
fields because of this. He did this not only because he missed
him but he was going to save him from wrath. In the near-east,
when a son dishonored his father, the town would break a pot
of bitter herbs on the path which he used to leave, indicating
cutting him off from the community. If the son returned, the
town would form on both sides of the path and would stone
the son as he came down the path. In history, there is no
account of anyone ever having lived through this ritual.

Cultural Impact on Interpretation
"The disciples went and did just as Jesus had
instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt,
and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. .
. . those who followed, were shouting, ―Hosanna to the
Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name
of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!‖―
(Matthew 21:6-9)

When Kings rode into other kingdoms on donkeys it
meant they were coming in peace. A manuscript from
3100 B.C. described this practice. But when they
were coming to conquer, it was a white horse…

" And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse,
and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and
in righteousness He judges and wages
war."(Revelation 19:11)


Historical Impact on Interpretation
" In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. All things
came into being through Him, and apart from Him
nothing came into being that has come into being.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of
men."(John 1:1-4)

There was a prevailing philosophy at the time,
championed by philosophers such as Philo of
Alexandria (taking a cue from Heraclitus) that
spoke of a Logos that was a divine energy that
created everything. John is telling his audience –
you know that Logos you talk about? Let me tell
you Who that really is.


Historical Impact on Interpretation
"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath
of God, for it is written, ―Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,‖ says the
Lord. ―But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give
him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.‖"
(Romans 12:19-20)

The coals on the head likely refers to a ritual in Egypt in which a
person showed his repentance by carrying a pan of burning charcoal
on his head. Helping rather than cursing an enemy may cause him to
be ashamed and penitent. The coals symbolized his change to a
tender mind, which fits in the context of Romans 12 where a love deed
could help melt a person to repentance.


The Difference Between Principle & Custom
"But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man,
and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
Every man who has something on his head while praying or
prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head
uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is
one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman
does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is
disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let
her cover her head. For a man ought not to have his head covered,
since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of
man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for
indeed man was not created for the woman‘s sake, but woman for the
man‘s sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority
on her head, because of the angels."(1 Corinthians 11:3-10)


The Difference Between Principle & Custom
The preponderance of evidence points toward the
public head covering of women as a universal custom in
the first century in both Jewish culture (3 Maccabees
4:6; Mishnah, Ketuboth 7. 6; Babylonian Talmud,
Ketuboth 72a-b) and Greco-Roman culture (Plutarch
Moralia 3. 232c; 4. 267b; Apuleius The Golden Ass
11. 10). The nature of the covering varied
considerably, but it was commonly a portion of the
outer garment drawn up over the head like a hood.
It seems that the Corinthian slogan, ―everything is
permissible,‖ had been applied to meetings of the
church as well, and the Corinthian women had
expressed that principle by throwing off their
distinguishing dress. More importantly they seem to
have rejected the concept of subordination within the
church (and perhaps in society) and with it any cultural
symbol (e.g., a head-covering) which might have been
attached to it. According to Paul, for a woman to throw
off the covering was an act not of liberation but of
degradation.

Grammatical Impact on Interpretation


" In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.―
(Genesis 1:1)

‫― :בָרא‬Bara‖ ―initiating something new‖
ָ

Every time the Hebrew word ‗bara‘ is used in the Old Testament, it
has God as its subject

" And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we
saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the
Father, full of grace and truth."(John 1:14)

Eskēnōsen
―live temporarily‖; ―tablernacle‖

A movable cultic tent
Lexicon: Yahweh‘s tabernacle the Tabernacle or Tent of Testimony
(Ex 27:21; 29:4; Lev 1:1; Num 1:1)

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ―Behold, the
tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and
they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among
them,"(Revelation 21:3)


Was Jesus really a Man or Not?

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who,
although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with
God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a
bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to
the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God
highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above
every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those
who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every
tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father."
(Philippians 2:5-11)


"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being
made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name
which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Form=‗Morphe‘: shape; nature

He was transfigured (μετεμορυώθη), μετά, denoting change or transfer, and μορυή,
form. This latter word denotes the form regarded as the distinctive nature and
character of the object, and is distinguished from σχῆμα, the changeable, outward
fashion: in a man, for instance, his gestures, clothes, words, acts. The μοτυή
partakes of the essence of a thing; the σχῆμα is an accident which may change,
leaving the form unaffected. Compare Mark 16:12; Christ ―appeared in another
form‖ (μορυή)
- Word Studies in the New Testament

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of
God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a

bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason
also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the
name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that
every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

likeness=‗homoiōma‘: likeness of form; image; similarity

"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh,
God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as
an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,"(Romans 8:3)


"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made
in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to
the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name
which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

appearance=‗schema‘: outward appearance; way of life; as comprising
everything in a person which strikes the senses

"and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form
of this world is passing away."(1 Corinthians 7:31)

So was Jesus a man? Yes, He had a true human nature/essence, but
He was only similar to our sinful flesh. Everything about Him that
could be empirically tested would positively identify Him as human.
rest of mankind

Watch Out for Chapter and Section Breaks
Remember that there were no chapter or section breaks (or even
punctuation breaks) in the original language texts – sometimes the
breaks you have in your Bible helps and sometimes they don‘t…

"But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and
because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in
man. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;"(John
2:24-3:1)
John is telling us we‘re about to meet a man just as was previously described…


Implicit vs. Explicit
Can someone on their own come to faith in Christ?
Implicit

"―For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish, but have eternal life."(John 3:16)

Vs.

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me
draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day."(John 6:44)

Explicit

Implicit vs. Explicit
How is someone ‗saved‘?

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for
otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.―
(1 Corinthians 7:14)

"Yet she will be saved through childbearing— if they [women] continue
in faith and love and holiness, with self-control."(1 Timothy 2:15)

Even the explicit statements must be determined by context
and the ‗analogy of faith‘ / what Scripture clearly declares


Interpret the Bible with the Bible
" Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and
peace be yours in the fullest measure."(1 Peter 1:1-2)

What does ―sprinkled with His blood‖ mean?

"Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Then he arose early in the morning, and built
an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. He sent
young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls
as peace offerings to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the
other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant and
read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, ―All that the Lord has spoken we will do,
and we will be obedient!‖ So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said,
―Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all
these words.‖"(Exodus 24:4-8)


Exegesis vs. Eisegesis

Eisegesis is reading something into the text that isn‘t there; exegesis
is getting out of the text what is there.

"For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or
on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,―
(1 Corinthians 8:5)

Mormons teach there are many gods who govern many planets and
use the verse above as part of their support for their belief. This
simply isn‘t supported by the context of the passage. Paul is speaking
about idols and the many Greek/Roman gods of mythology that were
worshipped – false/non-existent gods.

How many meanings does a verse of
Scripture have?

One
A verse may have many applications, but it can only
have one actual meaning in the context of a
passage.


Is this easy? No…
"As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied
of the grace that would come to you made careful
searches and inquiries, seeking to know what
person or time the Spirit of Christ within them
was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of
Christ and the glories to follow."
(1 Peter 1:10-11)

Even the prophets themselves had to work at their own
inspired writings to know what they meant.

Why is right interpretation so important?

So that we may intimately know God and obey Him.

Imagine a set of people who receive a mandate from their king and they go about
syntactically breaking the mandate down, analyzing its structure, etc. , when all
along the king simply wants them to obey his command.


"―These words, which I am commanding you today,
shall be on your heart. ―You shall teach them
diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when
you sit in your house and when you walk by the way
and when you lie down and when you rise up. ―You
shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall
be as frontals on your forehead. ―You shall write
them on the doorposts of your house and on your
gates."
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

But why…?

"―Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings
you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities
which you did not build, and houses full of all good things
which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not
dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and
you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do
not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of
Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ―You shall fear only the
Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by
His name."
(Deuteronomy 6:10-13)


The Word
The Science of Biblical Interpretation
Part 2


The Word - The Science of Biblical Interpretation - Part 2

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The Word - The Science of Biblical Interpretation - Part 2