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}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.

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.

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!

• 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

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

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.

Illustrative Examples

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!