If you have chosen to run to the light of understanding the Word of God, you are now capable of interpreting the Bible. It is God who enables you to do this. However, there are some basic principles to get you started. We will now begin a study of the principles of Bible interpretation. The first set of principles is found in the acronym: CAT. That is that all Scripture is (C) Context dependent, needs (A) Analysis of detail, and fits within a specific (T) Theme.
All scripture is context dependent. Context dependence is true of everything in life. If someone quoted me as saying “I think credit cards are wonderful.” You would come to the conclusion that I like credit cards. However, if you knew the statement before it, you would not come to that conclusion. If I said, “you will never hear me say ‘I think credit cards are wonderful’” then that changes the entire quote. You would now believe that I dislike credit cards. Context dictates how words are interpreted. When attempting to interpret a passage, you must see what is taking place in the situation as a whole. If a particular term is used, you must see if the passage gives descriptions of that term in order to define it correctly.
For example, the term sanctification is used in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. In that passage a list of sinful traits were listed. Afterwards, Paul wrote, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” In this context, sanctification is posed as something opposite of living in sin. In other words, to be sanctified is to be made holy.
Also, the term judge is used in Matthew 7:1-5. Jesus tells us to not judge and many people make that term to mean different things, one of which is confrontation of sin. However, in this passage Jesus tells us to “take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The speck is symbolic for sin. Jesus is telling us that we should confront people about their sin. Jesus teaches us not to judge and follows that by basically saying don’t hold people to a standard higher than you’re willing to hold yourself to. He says, “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” He then goes on to say, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Now we know that the solution isn’t to ignore the speck and the log, but the order of the solution is what is important here. He then says, “first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The term judge here is not defined as labeling a behavior sin. To judge, by Jesus’ definition, is to consider the sin in another person’s life as sin, but not seeing your sin as sin.
It is the context around the term that allows us to define it. It is the grammatical context that helps us define a statement. There are key words that must be paid attention to like therefore, but, since, because, etc. Paul said in Titus 1:13 “For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith.” Now this does not mean that every situation calls for a severe rebuke, but some do. How do we know which situations need a severe rebuke. When Paul says “For this reason,” he gives us an explanation. What happens after that phrase must be done because of what is before that phrase. The details listed before the phrase are what justify a severe rebuke. The details are “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain” (Titus 1:10-11). False teachers are being described here and so it is teaching false doctrine that warrants a severe rebuke.
Each of these key words have a grammatical formula. The term for/since is used as A for B or A since B. B either defines or gives a reason for A. The terms so that and since are used in the following way: A so that B or A since B. A takes place so that B would take place or A causes B. It can also be used as because of A we should do B. Sometimes since is used in this formula: since A, B. In this instance A is still the cause of B. Also, the terms therefore and since are used as well. The formula is A therefore B or A since B. It comes out as because A happens we should do B. The word but indicates a change or a comparison, that is A but B. A is the way things were but B is the way things should be. Lastly is the word because. It is used as A because of B. B causes A. These are just some of the basic word formulas that are used in the Bible as in any other literary work. Since our translations are in English, we just need to use good English.
See how context impacts the interpretation of Scripture in a major way. A correct interpretation cannot be made without noting context. At the end of this training there will be exercises for interpreting the Bible, including context. Everything is dependent upon its’ context.
