Harborside Singles Group An Introduction to Biblical Exegesis and Interpretation.

Introduction to Lexical-Grammatical Context So far we’ve taken the time to read our passage in context of the rest of the book of Philippians and taken some notes on the background of the city and Paul’s missionary journeys. In this next step of our Bible Interpretation process, we want to focus in on particular / individual words within our passage.

Two Reasons for a more intense study: First: Words in Scripture may have deeper meanings than may be readily apparent. This is not to imply that we are searching for hidden or mysterious messages in the Bible. It simply recognizes the inherent complexity that is part of any language. For example, the word translated as "fornication" in many older Bibles, incorporates all manner of sexual relationships (and not just, properly speaking, fornication.) This word even stretches back into the idolatry we see displayed throughout the Old Testament.

Two Reasons for a more intense study: Second: Words may have a meaning that are altogether different from the meanings we attach to them. For example, the word "church" in the New Testament may conjure up in our minds large buildings, pews, an altar and pulpit, Sunday School and the like, which would be largely foreign to the concept of "church" in Paul's day.

Two Reasons for a more intense study: Thus, this step of the Bible Interpretation process helps us to look closer at particular words of our text (again, not looking for hidden meanings) but seeking a richer and deeper understanding of these terms in their original context.

How Do We Choose Key Words To Study? As with anything in the Bible Interpretation arena, the more you practice this skill, the better you will become at identifying words that could stand a closer look. For now, however, the following guidelines should provide an adequate starting point:  Choose theologically rich key words: These are words that routinely appear throughout the Scriptures and represent major themes of the Bible (covenant, sin, sacrifice, faith, love, gospel, etc.)

How Do We Choose Key Words To Study?  Choose words that are repeated in your text: 1 Thess 4:13-18, for example, contains the words "sleep" or "sleeping" on three separate occasions. A small word study yields some very fruitful insights for the use of that word in this important eschatological text.eschatological  Choose words that are unclear or ambiguous and that are important in the passage: For example, "covenant of salt" in 2 Chr 13:5.  Choose words that you would like to learn more about: You needn't limit yourself to a formula. If there is a term that catches your interest or want to learn more about simply choose it and do a more in-depth study. You can hardly go wrong with what you can gain.

Great News! There are no wrong words to pick! Really! Ok, so some words might offer us more insight or help us to learn a principle that another doesn’t, but that’s no worry. Imagine it this way … you will miss 100% of the pitches you don’t swing at. In the same way every word we look at will only help up for the next word we study … there are no wrong answers here!

So … The study of the words in a particular passage is an important tool in your interpretive toolbox. It allows you to gain a deeper understanding for particular terms, thereby allowing you to gain a better understanding of your passage. Identifying which terms to study further is equal parts art and science. The above guidelines are simply that, guidelines. Let your interests and your own sense of what's important in the text be your ultimate guide in choosing.

Steps for Doing a Word Study Step # 1 - Notice how your word is being used within the sentence of your passage. This is called paying attention to the context. Come up with a meaning for the term using your own words. Store this away in your mind as you work through the rest of the steps. Step #2 - Find other passages in the Bible which use the same term. Start with passages that use your term in the same book and then in the same Testament (Old or New). To be fully thorough, you would also find the use of the equivalent term in the other Testament, though this involves a greater degree of complexity.

Steps for Doing a Word Study Step #3 - Look up the passages where your term appears and jot down your observations of how that term is used in those particular texts. What you are after is a general impression of the word, patterns of usage, disparate usages and ranges of meaning. Step #4 - Look up the meaning of your word in a Bible dictionary or word study dictionary if you have access. Jot down whatever is helpful for understanding the use of your word in your passage.

Steps for Doing a Word Study Step #5 - Assign a meaning to your word, in its own context, using the various notes you've jotted down using Steps 1, 2, 3 and 4. Make sure to keep all of your notes for these steps as they will likely come in handy somewhere else in your study. Even better, these notes can be useful for filling out sermon illustrations or studies. Finally, these notes can also add nuances and richness to your application of the passage.

Are you ready? Doing a deeper study of a word is an extremely valuable exercise in the interpretive process. Very often, you will spot nuances or richer insights of a word (and a passage) because of this type of study. One additional benefit and as yet unmentioned benefit is that a word study of this types helps you engage with many other parts of Scripture, not only demonstrating the different ways that a term may be used but also showing the great coherence that exists among many parts of Scripture.

Using an Online Bible Concordance In simple terms, a scripture concordance allows you to look-up every occurrence of a term in a particular Testament of the Bible (Old vs. New). You may wish to perform this function if you are studying a particular topic of Scripture, such as "faith" or "Spirit." Or, an online bible concordance (or a printed one as well) will allow you to study the use of a particular term throughout the Old or New Testament. This can be very helpful in getting to the deeper meaning of your passage.

Basics to Begin with. Ok, there are both a paper copy of the book or online … you can check Strong’s Exhaustive *(and sometimes Exhausting) Concordance at: (screen shots for tonight) (also a great option) There are other websites out there with the information from Strong’s but this one works well for me.. No one is really better than the others, I’d suggest use one that feels good to you. I’ll have links on the Blog with other options

Why Strong’s? The Strong's Exhaustive Concordance is the most complete, easy-to-use, and understandable concordance for studying the original languages of the Bible. Combining the text of the King James Version and New American Standard Bibles with the power of the Greek and Hebrew Lexicons, any student or pastor can gain a clear understanding of the Word to enrich their study.

A Word of Caution You can do many different types of searches with Strong’s and online it’s pretty quick … and it can be daunting. There are a few different words for a servant in the New Testament (and others in the Old Testament) and they have slightly different meanings based on context. I mention that because for your first try start with the verse in hand … just using the word in English will give you more options than you might need.

A Word of Caution You might have heard of different searches online (or from some Librarian out there) like a Boolean Search and they will be helpful for us tonight. Step #1 - First, type in the passage, word or words that you are interested in studying in the search box below. Use AND or OR to join two search phrases. For example: war OR wars would return passages where either term was found. Select whether you want to use the King James Version (KJV) or the New American Standard Version (NASB). These are the only two versions that are tied into Strong's numbering system: The range option can be used to search for terms in particular books only. Thus, if you type "Spirit" in the upper box and "Acts" in the Range Options box, you will get all occurrences of the term "Spirit" in the Book of Acts.

So … this is it! I’ve used the choice of the word Servant from Verse 7 … here’s the screen shot from Bible Hub. So what’s all the fuss?

Strong’s # 1401 Before we start looking at some of the specifics here, I want to suggest that we look at all the different places this word is used. Why you may ask, well in this case the word is used 127 times in the New Testament (28 of them by Paul) Try tracking down these other passages for a moment and then see how the author uses the word (nothing earthshattering here, but it might help us understand better what he thinks a servant is)

Other Passages for Context Look through the verses which contain your word and see how that term is being used in other parts of the Bible. Here you are looking for patterns, different uses, different ranges of meaning, and anything that you find useful in getting to know your term a little better. Jot down any impressions or useful information that you find here that will be helpful in knowing more about your passage.

Other Passages for Context Gather up all of your notes, ideas, impressions of the term in question and look at your passage anew with these in mind. Is there a particular insight that opens up for you that you had not noticed before? Does it give your passage a different spin or a richer meaning? At this point, you are finished with this term and can go on to another if you'd like.

A Word About Doing A Word Study Doing a deeper word study is not going to provide you with earth-shattering results each time. Sometimes, the insight is subtle. Sometimes, however, the insight is so deep and meaningful that it makes your heart sing. It is then that you realize just how special God's word really is. At the very least, doing this type of study provides you with many cross- references, a greater knowledge of different parts of the Bible and a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of many of its passage.

Conclusion Using an online Bible Concordance can be a very rewarding experience in your study of the Bible. It is certainly an invaluable part of the Bible Interpretation process, helping you get at the deeper meaning of words that can often provide you with greater insight and clarity into the significance of a particular passage. One last word of caution … just remember that different sites you use may have different Theological agendas (I know it sounds so James Bond), but as you use resources realize that we all have goals and take anything you see with a grain of salt