Context
Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary says that context is
“the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage
and can throw light upon its meaning.” At the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Web Site, the etymology is given: “Middle English, weaving together of words,
from Latin contextus connection of words, coherence, from contexere to weave
together, from com- + texere to weave,” {© 1996 by Merriam-Webster,
Incorporated}.
When I teach a class on HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE, I identify at least six
different kinds of context:
(1) The Immediate-Literary context: the words, phrases and
information that surround the passage.
(2) The Historical context: this is the time factor, the dispensation and events
that have some bearing on the passage.
(3) The Cultural context: there are certain words, expressions and sayings that
are best understood in their cultural context. Many statements in the New
Testament have a Jewish cultural context.
(4) The Geographic context: this brings into your study any pertinent geographic
facts.
(5) The Remote context: all other Bible passages that have some bearing on the
verse or passage.
(6) The Personal context: the people mentioned in the context; their attitude;
sins; qualities or circumstances that bear upon the passage.
The attention we give to context simply means, we intend to bring into our study
of a single verse or passage everything in the Bible that can help us, whether
on that page, in that book or wherever there is anything connected with the
matter at hand.
I ran across this a few days ago. The English Bible translator, Miles Coverdale,
whose version became the basis for the King James Version, listed his own Bible
study techniques in the preface to his 1535 edition. Written in the English (and
spelling) of his day he wrote:
It shall greatly helpe ye to understand the Scripture,
If thou mark
Not only what is spoken or written,
But of whom,
And to whom,
With what words,
At what time,
Where,
To what intent,
With what circumstances,
Considering what goeth before and what followeth.
{From Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustations & Quotes, edited by Robert
J. Morgan, p.#66.}
Quotes From This Issue
One of the pressing needs of our time in the home, the church and the nation is
noble male leadership! Women cannot do it all. Women have their assignment from
God and great power and influence comes to pass, when godly women accept the
challenges and duties, which in some cases – men have neglected and shunned! But
let us never give up calling upon men to be accountable; to learn noble
leadership from Bible examples, like this one in 2 Chron. 32.
In Bible reading and study we will not get the point and not be in position to
respond properly, if we neglect to see how things are connected. {The word
“context” relates to how words and phrases are connected.}
The fact that a man can speak in public or “hold” a preaching job is no reason
to believe what he says. Audiences should demand proof from the source, God’s
Word.
Many have a very diluted concept of the fear of God if they have any concept of
it at all. This is unhealthy; as unhealthy for us spiritually as it is unhealthy
physically for a child to have no fear of fire, or deep water, or some other
serious situation. Jesus certainly taught "the fear of the Lord" (Matthew
10:28).
By Warren E. Berkley
Front Page
From Expository Files 10.9, September, 2003
