The Importance Of Context

 

In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul advised Timothy to be diligent in presenting himself approved before God. He emphasized the importance of working in a way that avoids shame, specifically by rightly dividing and accurately handling the word of truth. If we seek God's approval, it is essential for us to interpret His word correctly.

The Bible warns us that it is possible to misinterpret the scriptures to the extent that it leads to our own destruction. This suggests that we must be extremely diligent when we engage with God’s word, whether during preaching services or in our classes. Simply knowing the scriptures is not sufficient; many people are familiar with the texts yet fail to interpret them correctly. Consequently, this misinterpretation can lead to detrimental outcomes. Therefore, we must exercise great care in our study and understanding of the scriptures.

A prime example of this can be seen in the context of the Jews in the 1st century. They possessed a wealth of evidence from the Law of Moses, including hundreds of prophecies that trace back to Genesis 3 and extend through to the conclusion of Malachi. Despite the abundance of these prophecies predicting the arrival of the Messiah, the overwhelming majority remained unbelieving.

In John 5:46, Jesus held the Jews accountable, stating, "For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me." He emphasized that if they had truly read, understood, and believed what Moses wrote about Him, they would have recognized Him as the Messiah. This accountability extends to us as well; God expects us to engage with His Word. On Judgment Day, we won't be able to stand before God and claim ignorance of His desires for us. Our understanding is our responsibility, and He has made His Word accessible and clear. As Paul noted, he wrote to ensure that his knowledge was understandable, emphasizing the importance of grasping these teachings.

We must remain diligent, which is why Paul instructed Timothy to do the same. Each of us is accountable for our understanding of God's Word, and we carry the responsibility of its interpretation. This lesson will explore perhaps the most crucial principle in biblical interpretation: context. We will examine what context means, how to effectively utilize it, and why it is so vital to our understanding.

In our previous lesson, we examined a critical aspect of context: the importance of understanding the Bible as a whole. It is our responsibility to recognize the different divisions and ages within it. We discussed the patriarchal period when God communicated directly with the heads of families, providing them with specific instructions that were not given to anyone else. For instance, He instructed Abraham and Noah on unique tasks that were exclusively for them. This direct communication continued for an extended period. Later, God provided a distinct set of laws—known as the Law of Moses—specifically for the Israelites, outlining what they were to do and what they were not to do. However, it’s important to note that this law was ultimately rendered obsolete with the crucifixion.

We revisit passages such as Ephesians 2 and Colossians 2, which state that the law has been abolished and will never be reinstated. It is not a matter of it being temporarily set aside; it has been permanently fulfilled. Jesus embodied the essence of the Old Law, the Law of Moses, and upon His arrival, He fulfilled its requirements. Consequently, it is no longer part of what He expects from us.

By neglecting the overall context of the Bible, specifically the relationships between its divisions, we have seen numerous misinterpretations arise. This often occurs because individuals fail to recognize these distinctions. It is our responsibility to address this issue.

This lesson will  focus primarily on what we refer to as the immediate context.

When engaged in conversation, one may hear someone quote a specific verse from the Bible, asserting, "This is what it says," and while the quote may be accurate, it is often taken out of context. Have you ever approached a small group having a conversation and overheard something that made you think, "What in the world?" This confusion arises from the lack of contextual understanding.

You might hear a sentence or phrase that could be interpreted negatively in one scenario but could also have a completely harmless meaning in another. If you missed the preceding dialogue, you may misunderstand the entire conversation. The same principle applies to the Scriptures; taking a verse out of its surrounding context can lead to significant misinterpretations.

Thus, we will emphasize the importance of examining the verses immediately before and after a particular passage.

We need to exercise caution regarding chapter divisions in the Bible. It’s important to remember that these divisions were not placed there by God but were added by humans many years later. The same applies to how verses are divided. While chapter divisions can be helpful, there have been instances where their placement has led to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. It's essential to be aware of this when reading and studying the text.

Let's take a moment to examine Romans chapter 12. Specifically, let’s look at verses 19 through 21. In this passage, Paul addresses the church in Rome, saying, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." He continues, "Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Often, we stop reading at this point and may conclude that capital punishment or any form of discipline for lawbreakers is wrong. If we end our reading here without considering the subsequent verses, we might mistakenly believe that those who commit wrongdoings in our society cannot be punished because God instructs us not to take vengeance. It's important to look at the broader context to fully understand the message being conveyed.

What does he say in the very next verse? "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment upon themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good, but if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain."

Now, we understand what he is conveying: you are not meant to take personal vengeance, for God has established governments to fulfill that role. It is important to note that if we stopped reading at the end of Romans chapter 12 and then began at the first four verses of Romans 13, we would miss this crucial context, leading to misunderstanding. This highlights the significance of considering immediate context.

A notable example can be found in Colossians chapter 2, verse 21, which states: "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle." Many people interpret this to mean that there are certain things we should avoid and others that are acceptable. However, the context actually suggests the opposite. If you don't read the preceding verse or the one that follows, you may misinterpret the message. Notice verse 20, which says, "Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations?" The phrase "do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" refers to things that pertain to the commandments and doctrines of men—he's emphasizing the contrary point.

In examining the context of Colossians Chapter 2, Paul discusses the various regulations outlined in the Law of Moses—what could be eaten, what could not be eaten, what could be touched, and what should be avoided. He emphasizes that these regulations are now obsolete, questioning why people continue to adhere to the "do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" rules. He highlights that they have been freed from such limitations, affirming that it is entirely acceptable to consume foods previously deemed unclean and to engage with things that were once considered impure. This perspective is quite the opposite of what many might assume. If one were to isolate that single verse without considering the surrounding verses, it could lead to a completely erroneous conclusion. This underscores the importance of context in understanding Scripture accurately.

Sometimes, we need to delve deeper than just the verse preceding or following a particular scripture. It is crucial to consider a broader context, and this is where a concordance becomes indispensable. For instance, if we encounter a verse about repentance, to fully understand what that entails, we must examine various other passages in the Bible that discuss repentance. Relying on a single verse alone will not provide us with a complete picture. Therefore, it is essential to explore what is commonly referred to as the remote context—other verses and sections of the Bible that address the same subject.

 for instance let's look at first John chapter 3 verse 9 and remember if we just take this one verse by itself and we don't pay any attention to anything else that's written. first John chapter 3 verse 9 "whoever has been born of God does not sin for his seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he's been born of God."

I have encountered individuals and read various works suggesting that a Christian cannot sin—that it is impossible for a Christian to sin. They often base this belief solely on one particular verse. If that were the only verse in the Bible, it might seem like a valid conclusion. However, we must consider what other passages say on the matter. God holds us responsible; we cannot take a single verse or a portion of a verse in isolation and shape our lives around it. That’s why the entire Bible is essential. We need to be diligent in our studies, as it takes effort, time, and energy to cultivate a clear understanding of the truth.

Let's examine 1 John 3:9, which states that a child of God cannot sin. This has led many to question its meaning. To gain clarity, we should also look at the first chapter of the same book. In 1 John 1:8, it says that if we claim we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Verse 10 adds that if we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and His word is not in us.

So, which statement reflects the truth: can a child of God sin, or can they not? Since we believe that the Holy Spirit is the author of this text, we understand that both passages convey the same essential truth. John opens his letter by stating that if you claim you don’t sin, you are essentially lying. Therefore, can a child of God sin? Absolutely—there is no doubt about it.

In 1 John 3:9, what exactly is being conveyed? One way to understand this is by looking at a similar phrase in the Old Testament. If we turn to Genesis 44:22, we find an interesting example. In this passage, Joseph is in Egypt, and Judah, along with his brothers, is recounting the story of Benjamin, the youngest sibling. Judah states, "And we said to my lord, 'The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'"

In this context, the term "cannot" does not imply impossibility. Could the lad leave his father? Certainly. Rather, "cannot" indicates that he ought not to leave his father; it would be unwise for him to do so. Physically, the lad could leave, but it is clear that he should not.

This understanding also applies to 1 John 3:9. When it says that a child of God cannot sin, it does not mean that sinning is impossible for them. Instead, it signifies that a child of God should not sin—it is something they ought to avoid. The idea is not that sinning is beyond their capability, but rather that it should not characterize the life of a child of God.

We might rephrase it in a contemporary context: Imagine a scenario where a man of the world is walking down the street with a child of God. The man suggests, "Let's go into this bar and have a drink." The child of God replies, "No, I cannot do that. I am a child of God." This response raises the question: what does he mean by saying he cannot do that? Is it physically impossible for him to enter the bar and get a drink? No, it’s not impossible; he could certainly do that. So when the child of God says, "I cannot go in," what he really means is that he shouldn’t or ought not to do so. It's simply not the right thing for him.

By examining the broader context within the Bible, we can better understand 1 John 3:9, which states that the child of God cannot sin. This means that a child of God should not allow sin to be a habitual part of their life; sin should not characterize their daily actions. However, it is true that they can and do sin. If we claim otherwise, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. Therefore, it is clear that we do sin. This understanding is reinforced by several passages throughout the book of John, highlighting the importance of considering the remote context.

In John chapters 14 through 17, a significant amount of dialogue occurs in the upper room just before Jesus’ crucifixion and prior to his betrayal in the garden by Judas. During this time, several important events take place, including the institution of the Last Supper and the revelation of Judas as the betrayer. Within these four chapters, Jesus makes numerous promises specifically to the apostles. One key promise is that the Holy Spirit, referred to as the Comforter, will come to them and reveal all truth, ensuring they will not need to remember everything themselves because the Holy Spirit will guide their words directly.

It’s important to note that this context is directed solely at the apostles. However, many people listening to radio and television teachings often extend this claim to apply to themselves, asserting that the Holy Spirit instructs them on what to say. I recall an account of someone who once believed this principle in the religious community; he waited for the Holy Spirit to guide him in delivering a message one Sunday but ultimately received no direction. After that experience, he decided not to adhere to the belief that the verse was applicable to him.

2 Timothy 2:15 instructs us to be diligent in rightly dividing the word of truth, emphasizing the importance of effort and work. It does not imply that we should simply wait for the Holy Spirit to miraculously provide us with understanding about any given topic in the Bible.

When examining passages such as John 14, John 15, and John 16, it's important to note that some promises were specifically addressed to the apostles. If you isolate one of these promises without considering the surrounding context, you may arrive at a very misguided belief. Those miraculous promises were intended for the apostles.

God holds us accountable, just as He held the Jews of the first century accountable for their lack of belief in Jesus. He declared that Moses wrote about Jesus, making it clear that they were responsible for recognizing the truth; it was presented in a way that was understandable. While some people did come to believe, the majority did not, despite the truth being accessible.

Today, we share that same responsibility to know what the Bible teaches in order to be saved. The scriptures are not written in a cryptic manner; they are straightforward and comprehensible. You don't need years of study to grasp their meaning.

God expects us to believe in His Son and to commit our lives to Him. This involves turning away from worldly things, repenting, and confessing His name before others. The Bible clearly outlines these expectations—it’s not complicated to understand. We also need to be born again, which includes being immersed and buried for the forgiveness of our sins.

God holds us accountable for understanding biblical teachings and for adhering to what is conveyed in 1 John 1, which emphasizes the necessity of continually confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness. The Bible is accessible, and we can certainly understand it.

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