How to Interpret the Bible (Hermeneutics)
Gregory Chao
July 3, 2011
1. Overarching principle of Interpretation - The Bible is mean to be understood. It is meant to be read
by all the believers, not just a choice few.
i.
90/10 rule – 90% of the meaning of the Bible can be derived from the very good English
translations available today simply by reading the passage in its literary context. The other
10% can be under stood through understanding historical context/Greek word studies.
Much of this understanding can be obtained through reading good commentaries.
2. Simple Rules of Interpretation (3 Principles)
a. Principle #1 (90%) - Literary Context – Each
statement must be understood according to its
natural meaning in literary context where it occurs.
Intro to Biblical Interp. By William Klein & Others
i.
Priority 1 – The immediate passages before and
after exerts the most important control over
the meaning of a specific text. The next
important control is the passages in the same
book. The next important control is the same
author. (see examples 1-3)
ii.
Priority 2 – The farther away you go from the
immediate passage, the less definitive it
becomes to interpreting it. However, the Bible
contains a unity that can help to understand the passage.
1. Unity examples - (1) The foundation of the Law is to understand the work of Christ. (2)
Genesis is the foundation for understanding God.
2. Progressive Revelation examples - (1) There is a progressive revelation that occurs
through the Bible. E.g. Ecclesiastics vs. NT view of the afterlife (2) Ceremonial Law in the
OT fulfilled by Christ. In these cases, the NT interprets the OT. Jesus says in Matt 5, that
he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.
b. Principle #2 (90%) – Historical-Cultural Context – Texts should be understood consistent with
their original hearer, their historical and cultural context. (see examples 4-6)
c. Principle #3 (10%) - Meaning of Word – Words
from different languages may have overlapping
meanings. We must interpret using the meaning
of the original hearer. (Resource – The New
International Dictionary of NT Theology, Colin
Brown)
d. Literary type – Understanding the literally genre of
the writing can be a guide to helping you
determine whether to take a passage literally or
not. Theology should be based on the more
1
love
agape
philo
eros
stergo –love of
parent/ruler
literary genre rather than symbolic.
5. Resources
a. Bible Dictionary – Good simple one
volume resource. The New
Testament Bible Dictionary
b. Commentaries – Not all the same.
Some are very technical; some
have a very liberal bent. Get one
that is easy to read and practical.
Literal
Revelations
Prophesy
Hard
Med
Easy
Symbolic
Wisdom
Legal writing
Teaching of Jesus
NT letters
Historical Narratives
Parables
Poetry & Song
6. Special cases (Comments on the harder passages)
a. Parables – Usually three meanings; mixed use of symbols and literal allusions. Do not develop
theology solely on it.
b. Prophesies - sensus plenior, which means literally ‘the fuller sense.’ There are cases, especially in
prophesy, where the NT writer, divinely inspired, could see a deeper meaning to an OT passage
not completely understood by the OT writer.
7. Application
a. The Bible was written to be understood. There are 2 very simple principles of interpretation: (1)
Literary context (2) Historical/Cultural context
b. The Holy Spirit is constantly enlightening the Scripture to every believer. There are applications
of principles that are clear. E.g. we are to be holy, we must not commit adultery, etc.
c. The Holy Spirit can use Scripture (and other methods) to speak specifically to the believer. Care
must be used because we can be deceived. Therefore, any message from God should:
i.
ii.
The HS will never violate teaching in the Bible
Be confirmed through the witness of believers
2
Example 1 - What does ‘born of water’ mean in John 3:4-8?
4"How
can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a
second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no
one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives
birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying,
'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you
cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the
Spirit."
Example 2 - What is the meaning of ‘eye of the needle’ in Luke 18:25?
18A
certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19"Why
do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 20You know the
commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false
testimony, honor your father and mother. 21"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he
said. 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you
have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24Jesus
looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it
is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God." 26Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 27Jesus
replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Example 3 – How should we understand, ‘women should remain silent in the churches’ in I Cor. 14:34
26What
then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a
word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done
for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most
three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no
interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29Two
or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of
disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches.
They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to
inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful
for a woman to speak in the church.
30And
36Did
the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If
anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am
writing to you is the Lord's command. 38If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.[i]
3
39Therefore,
40But
my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Example 4 - How do you understand Matt. 5:29? Literally cut off a eye?
27"You
have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone
who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If
your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose
one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right
hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of
your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Example 5 - How do you understand the command to obey your parents in Eph 6:1?
1Children,
obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and
mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you
and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children;
instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Example 6: (Application using principles 1 & 2) - How should we understand Romans 1:26-27? Option 1
– This is a teaching against male prostitution. Option 2 – This is a teaching against homosexuality
‘Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lust. Even their women exchanged natural
relations for unnatural one. In the same way, men abandoned natural relations with women and
were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent act with other men, and
received in themselves the due penalty of their perversion.
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