How to Study the Bible: The Context of a Passage “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” {James 1:26,27} Title Slide: How to Study the Bible—The Context of a Passage Unlocking the Meaning!

Arriving at False Conclusions Many Bible statements have been twisted and garbled by men who say things the Biblical writers never intended. 2 Peter 3:15,16 “A text without its context is a mere pretext.” Lifting a phrase or two from a passage gives it a different meaning. “One can prove anything by the Bible.” Proof-text approach

Context Comes from two words—”to weave together; that which is with the text.” Sometimes, the context may be just a paragraph or two—other times, an entire chapter or several chapters. It can even be an entire book Other times, a particular Scripture verse must be interpreted in light of the context of the entire Bible. The Lord’s Invitation—Matthew 11:28-30; Spiritual Gifts—1 Corinthians 12-14; Entire book of Jonah. We will discuss the “partial view” in the next lesson…

Necessity of Context Biblical words, like words in our own language, have multiple meanings. Translators frequently must depend entirely on usage and context in order to discern the author’s definition of a word. When a person uses a passage to prove an anti-Biblical doctrine, look at the context. Every false doctrine is supported and maintained by distorting and perverting passages out of their context. In the Bible, the word WINE always has the same meaning—”fruit of the grape.” How do we know if the “wine” is alcoholic or non-alcoholic? From the CONTEXT—Ex. Prov.20:1 and John 2…

Illustrative Examples Christians are not to love the world. 1 John 2:15-17 Yet, God loved the world. John 3:16 God made the world. Acts 17:24 Does the Bible contradict itself? Different meaning determined by CONTEXT! In 1 Jno.2:15-17—John used the word “world” in his command not to love worldly things or pleasures. In Jno.3:16, God didn’t love the sphere of the world, but He died for the PEOPLE; His love is for them. In Acts 17:24, Paul showed that God created ALL the heaven and earth and the things therein. There is no contradiction; the context helps us define the word.

Illustrative Examples Roman Catholics believe Peter was the first pope. Matthew 16:18 What is the purpose of the discussion? Matthew 16:13-17 Jesus did not use a personal pronoun. This rock… Who is the foundation of the church? 1 Corinthians 3:11 What was the purpose of the discussion? Not to identify Peter or his role but who the Son of Man was (vs.13-17). Peter confessed “Thou art the Christ” On THIS ROCK, He would build His church. Why didn’t Jesus say, “And upon YOU I will build My church?” In 1 Cor.3:11, Paul settled the question of the church’s foundation. Those who refer to Peter as the foundation of the church contradict Paul’s categorical statement that the Christ’s deity is the bed-rock upon which the church is built!

Illustrative Examples The Vine and the Branches John 15:1-8 Used by some to teach that there are many churches. Individuals or denominations? Ye—individual branches Who is to be gathered up and burned? John 15:5,6 Even a superficial examination of the passage shows that denominations are not the “branches” to which Jesus referred. Individual disciples are the branches! Look closely at Jno.15:5,6 and see who will be thrown into the fire! MAN is not a denomination but an individual branch! Also violates Eph.4:4—ONE BODY!

Illustrative Examples Even brethren uproot passages James 1:26,27 Writer contrasts effectual religion with vain religion. Individuals or congregational duty? Who is “man” in these verses? “if any man…not his tongue…but deceives his own heart…this man’s religion…keep himself…

Illustrative Examples Even brethren try to shift the individual’s duty to the congregation. James 1:26,27 Another error is shifting that duty to a human institution. How does a congregation sending $100 to an orphan’s home constitute personal obedience to “visit widows and orphans in their affliction.” Valid religion involves personal involvement, personal participation, and personal activity. It cannot be done by proxy.

Conclusion Many errors in the church and outside the church would be eliminated if people would just consider the CONTEXT. Failure to do so causes a “proof-text” to become a mere pretext and disguises the fact that someone has determined to follow his own desires. Sadly, many are just seeking to hold on to anything that will justify what they want to do—Scriptural or not!