1. Reading the Bible for All it’s Worth WESTMINSTER CHAPEL

2. 3. Consider the sense of the scriptural context A. Reasons why a passage must be understood in light of its literary context: A. Reasons why a passage must be understood in light of its literary context: First reason: Train of thought First reason: Train of thought

3. Second Reason: To Determine Word Meanings Second Reason: To Determine Word Meanings “That was the largest trunk I ever saw” “That was the largest trunk I ever saw”

4. Many Trunks for Everything!

5. Third Reason: Third Reason: See It All to Understand the Parts See It All to Understand the Parts

6. See it all to understand the parts!

7. B. Blessings/Curse Of Chapter and Verse Divisions Modern Chapter Divisions (1228) Stephen Langton Modern Chapter Divisions (1228) Stephen Langton Modern Verse Divisions (1560) Robert Stephanus Modern Verse Divisions (1560) Robert Stephanus

8. Greek Manuscript

9. C. PRINCIPLES C. PRINCIPLES Principle of context: Interpret verses according to their natural meaning in the context where they occur. Principle of context: Interpret verses according to their natural meaning in the context where they occur.

10. PRINCIPLE OF PRETEXT: A TEXT WITHOUT A CONTEXT IS A PRETEXT A TEXT WITHOUT A CONTEXT IS A PRETEXT

11. PRINCIPLE OF PROPORTION: The Smaller the Passage Being Interpreted, The Greater the Chance of ERROR

12. D. Procedures 1. Immediate context 1. Immediate context Find main subject of immediate context Find main subject of immediate context Figure out how the parts fit that subject Figure out how the parts fit that subject

13. Theme of Immediate Context Whole Section James 1:2-12 Whole Section James 1:2-12 Preceding Text James 1:2-4 Preceding Text James 1:2-4 Text James 1:5-8 Text James 1:5-8 Text Text James 1:9-11 James 1:9-11 Following Text James 1:12 Following Text James 1:12 How to respond to trials to receive God’s approval Respond with joy anticipating maturity Respond with believing prayer for wisdom Respond with God’s perspective Respond with expectation of reward

14. Theme of Immediate Context Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose Whole Section Theme Whole Section Theme Theme of Preceding Text Romans 8:26-27 Theme of Preceding Text Romans 8:26-27 Theme of Text Romans 8:28 Theme of Text Romans 8:28 Theme of Following Text Romans 8:29-30 Theme of Following Text Romans 8:29-30 Divine help in difficult circumstances Spirit’s Intercessory Prayer God works positively in all circumstances Unbroken sequence of salvation experiences

15. 2. Context of Book 2. Context of Book How does this passage fit into the message of the book? How does this passage fit into the message of the book?

16. 3. Entire Bible context 3. Entire Bible context What does this passage contribute to the total teaching of the Bible on this subject? What does this passage contribute to the total teaching of the Bible on this subject?