Getting all we can from Scripture Session 2 Consider the context Men’s Bible Study at Park View April 14, 2015

Getting all we can from Scripture

Getting all we can from Scripture Seven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text

Getting all we can from Scripture Seven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text)

Getting all we can from Scripture Seven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text) Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart

May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. (Gen. 31:49)

May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me. (Gen. 31:49-50)

Getting all we can from Scripture Seven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text) Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart

Getting all we can from Scripture Seven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text) Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart Discipline #2 - Consider the context

Getting all we can from Scripture Seven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text) Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart Discipline #2 - Consider the context Does what is written before and after the text shed light on the text?

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me (ESV)

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me (ESV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength (NIV 2011)

this Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me (ESV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength (NIV 2011)

Almost all words carry ambiguity

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”)

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”) 1. moves elegantly, easily

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”) 1. moves elegantly, easily 2. good manners, charm

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”) 1. moves elegantly, easily 2. good manners, charm 3. mercy, kindness

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”) 1. moves elegantly, easily 2. good manners, charm 3. mercy, kindness eg. pig

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”) 1. moves elegantly, easily 2. good manners, charm 3. mercy, kindness eg. pig (“my cousin has a pig”)

Almost all words carry ambiguity because they have a range of possible meaning eg. grace (“she has a lot of grace”) 1. moves elegantly, easily 2. good manners, charm 3. mercy, kindness eg. pig (“my cousin has a pig”) male/female? old/young? pink/spotted?

We determine the specific meaning a word carries by looking at its context

We determine the specific meaning a word carries by looking at its context Words seldom mean one precise thing and never anything else.

Acts 5:29 - We must obey God rather than men

Acts 16:33 - …the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.

Acts 16:33 - …the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. v32 - Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

Acts 16:33 - …the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. v34 - The jailer…set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household

1 Cor 1: I also baptized the household of Stephanas...

1 Cor 1: I also baptized the household of Stephanas... 1 Cor 16:15 - You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints

Common mistake

Common mistake: putting every possible meaning of a word into each occurrence

Common mistake: putting every possible meaning of a word into each occurrence With few exceptions, a word has but one of its meanings each time it occurs; the context will tell us which one

eg. Greek word sarx (“flesh”)

eg. Greek word sarx (“flesh”) 1) our physical body 1 Cor 15:39

eg. Greek word sarx (“flesh”) 1) our physical body 1 Cor 15:39 2) a human being, person Luke 3:6

eg. Greek word sarx (“flesh”) 1) our physical body 1 Cor 15:39 2) a human being, person Luke 3:6 3) human nature as controlled by sin Gal 5:19

eg. Greek word sarx (“flesh”) 1) our physical body 1 Cor 15:39 2) a human being, person Luke 3:6 3) human nature as controlled by sin Gal 5:19 John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

Sometimes more than one meaning is intended

Sometimes more than one meaning is intended eg. puns!

Sometimes more than one meaning is intended eg. puns! poetry

Sometimes more than one meaning is intended eg. puns! poetry Apostle John’s writings

Sometimes more than one meaning is intended eg. puns! poetry Apostle John’s writings John often intends a double meaning

John 13:10 - “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

clean. clean, John 13:10 - “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

“Clean” refers to physical and spiritual cleanness

clean. clean, John 13:10 - “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” v11 - For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean “Clean” refers to physical and spiritual cleanness