Context: Don’t Study Without It The context of a passage is very important. April 24 - PM

Many Jokes Point to the Bible to solve your financial problems Chapter 11 Judas hung himself; Go do likewise Study of the Bible DEMANDS that we be aware of the context of a passage

Meaning - Context Dictionary – Any phrase, sentence, or passage so closely connected to a word or words as to affect the meaning; Something that surrounds and influences

Meaning - Context Webster – [L. con & texto, to weave] The general series or composition of a discourse; more particularly, the parts of a discourse which precede or follow the sentence quoted;

Meaning - Context Entomology – to weave together How is this word or phrase “woven” into the fabric of the context? The context is important.

Examples – Context is Important Proverbs 23:6-8 – 6 Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. 8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words. The passage – As He thinks in his heart, so is he. The context – an evil man with ulterior motives What if his motives were honorable?

Examples – Context is Important Romans 3:27 – Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. The passage – Of works? No The Context – Romans 3:27-4:8 Esp. Romans 4:5 & James 2:21 Works – meritorious, boastful works are useless

Examples – Context is Important Romans 3:27 – Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. The passage – Of works? No Works – Several passages use the same word BUT – have a different meaning intended

Examples – Context is Important Mark 14:13 – And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. The passage – Look for a man bearing a pitcher Cultural context – This was considered demeaning work Only women did it Compare – Look for a man carrying a purse

Examples – Context is Important 1 Timothy 2:8-15 V. 12 – And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. The passage – Woman not permitted to teach Context – “over the man” Who is the man? Can a woman teach small children?

Examples – Context is Important 1 Timothy 2:8-15 V. 12 – And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. Verse 8 – Men pray everywhere Verse 9 – In like manner women - - Verse 12 – The woman of vs.9 is not to teach over the man of vs. 8

Examples – Context is Important Luke 16:19-31 – Events of the rich man and Lazarus Context – Why did Jesus tell this event (parable)? What was being discussed? Stewardship – 3 Friends of Mammon - 9 Serve 2 masters – 13 Lovers of money - 14

Examples – Context is Important James 1:14 – But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Lust, desire Context – Is desire – good or bad? Answer – YES Good – Luke 22:15, Phil. 1:23 Bad – Mark 4:19; John 8:44 How can you tell?

Examples – Context is Important James 1:14 – But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Lust, desire Albert Barnes – “But there is no difficulty in making the distinction; the context easily determining the matter.”

Examples – Context is Important Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. The Creation? Everything in Genesis 1? Oceans, grass, rocks, animals and man? All living and breathing – animals and man? All humans beings?

Examples – Context is Important Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. The Context: Waits for the revealing Subjected to vanity – vs. 20 Subjected it in hope – vs. 20

When a Question Arises: READ: The entire verse The paragraph The entire setting The word or phrase used elsewhere in the same book The word or phrase used elsewhere by the same author