9. Two Ways To Exp. A Passage + Exegesis & Hermeneutics

EXEGESIS and HERMENEUTICS Hermeneutics is the study of the principles involved in the whole process of interpreting a text for its meaning today. Hermeneutics includes three stages of interpretation: 1. Exegesis of the text’s original meaning. • Exegesis seeks to answer the question: “What meaning did the divine and human authors intend to convey to their original audience through this text?” It involves: • A process – gathering information, from the component parts of the text and elsewhere, in order to discern • A content – the original meaning of that text, as intended by the original writer / speaker and understood by his audience / readers, using • A method – 1. Careful analysis of the literary structure of the text, 2. Study of the language used, and 3. Research into the cultural / historical context in which the text was written. 2. Exposition of the text’s universal message. • Exposition is concerned with two kinds of “exposure”: 1. ‘Exposing’ what the text means in terms understood today, and 2. “Exposing” the hearts of those reading / listening to the text • It sifts all the material gathered through the process of exegesis in order to discern

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The universal message of the text, and Its significance for our faith and attitude of heart (Hebrews 4:12).

3. Application of the text’s contextualised relevance. • Application is concerned with how we are to appreciate the relevance of a text for our lives, and • How we should put its message into practice in our particular situation. Note: Exegesis includes both the process of determining the original Meaning of a passage and also the fresh understanding of the passage gained thereby. Exegesis investigates and expresses the true sense of Scripture, while Hermeneutics is the science, or art, of how to go about interpreting Scripture aright in order to discover its meaning and message for us today. A hermeneutic: A. A method of interpretation used as a tool to understand any literary document. B. A statement of the meaning of a text for today. Eisegesis: Reading back into the text an understanding gained from elsewhere Of the three components of textual communication – the Writer, Writing and Reader – the writer is the key componen (despite post-modern preoccupation with the reader!)

Bible examples of Exegesis, exposition and application: Acts 18:26 – “Explaining the way of God” to Apollos. (exegesis and exposition) Neh 8:8 – “Making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” (exegesis and exposition that affected the peoples’ attitude)

Acts 8:31 – “How can I [understand it] unless someone explains it to me?” (The Ethiopian Eunuch responded to Philip’s exposition by being baptised – application)

TWO WAYS* to EXPOUND a PASSAGE * One is better than the other! Example: 1 Peter 2:1-3 The following outline is taken directly from the PP Presentation devised and prepared at Gujranwala Theological Seminary by PB. .It may be copied for non-commercial use only June 2005

Method A: Verse by Verse - as in a commentary

Method B: Identifying the subject of the passage and then opening up the passage to reveal The Heart-Beat (core message)

Method A: VERSE BY VERSE Expounding a Passage Verse by Verse has these benefits: • It helps the preacher to keep to the text and not forget what the passage is saying

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It covers the content without missing out important parts It is easy for the preacher to offer some comment on each verse without too much study or work It enables the congregation to follow in their Bibles (if they have one with them)

But it also has these disadvantages: • It can get boring, especially if there are many verses

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It easily degenerates into moral lessons and pious platitudes It fogs the core message of the passage It doesn’t link the passage to this “heart-beat” It leaves the congregation with a long list of ideas instead of focusing their attention on the key issue

CONCLUSION

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It is an easy way to preach at short notice and better than not keeping to the text at all. But… as a way of thinking about the passage it is undemanding and therefore limited in its effectiveness.

EXAMPLE

Method B: HEART-BEAT

1 Peter 2:1-3 1.

2.

3.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. [1]

[1]The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

Expounding a Passage through its Heart-Beat offers these benefits: • • • • • •

It makes sure the speaker does his/her homework in preparation It provides a clear focus for the attention of the congregation It allows a clear mapping of the rest of the passage instead of a jumble of ideas whose connections are not indicated Educationally people learn more and better through a focused message, even when a long passage is being studied Spiritually people are challenged more strongly by one over-arching idea than by a battery of ideas whose connections are not immediately obvious It avoids the temptation to look for moral lessons and pious platitudes in every line

VERSE-BY-VERSE OUTLINE •

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Getting rid of evil habits o How to get rid of malice o How to get rid of deceit o How to get rid of hypocrisy o How to get rid of envy o How to get rid of slander Need for spiritual nourishment o Babies’ need of milk o What is pure spiritual milk Spiritual growth and salvation o Different aspects of Salvation The goodness of God o Experiencing God

This method is very good for personal bible study because: o It uncovers much interesting information o It discovers many helpful lessons What’s the problem? For a sermon: o Too many topics o No indication of how they relate to each other o Fogging the key point

HEART-BEAT OUTLINE What is Peter writing about here? Spiritual Growth o What does Peter say about this? Are you new born? Then get rid of former evil attitudes Replace such impulses with spiritual cravings We should be like babies:  Crave for intimacy with the Lord  Find our satisfaction in the Lord,  Not in indulging in bad attitudes towards others  Work hard at getting such nourishment from the Lord The ultimate goal of Spiritual Growth is entering into our full salvation o What is the ‘heart-beat‘ of his message on this subject? Find your satisfaction in God and His Goodness alone. CHIEF BENEFITS It makes the whole passage come alive It allows God to speak clearly and directly from His Word o

NOTE: In either method avoid bringing in other ideas from elsewhere. Use other Biblical references only to make clear or re-enforce the heart-beat of the passage