Expository Preaching Exegetical Preparation

Expository Preaching-Exegetical Preparation Dealing with Your Heart and Digging into the Text William D. Barrick Professor of Old Testament, The Master’s Seminary

Introduction As readers of the Scriptures, we must approach the text as it has been preserved for us. Any alteration we might make in the text must be fully supported. Exegesis is the explication of what the text says, not what we wish the text to say. Every interpretation must be rooted and grounded in the original languages of the text. Ultimately, reading the text in translation is not a viable substitute. “One who made it his life’s work to interpret French literature, but who could only read it in an English translation, would not be taken seriously; yet it is remarkable how many ministers of religion week by week expound a literature that they are unable to read save in translation!” — H. H. Rowley, Expository Times 74/12 (Sept 1963): 383; cited in Nigel Turner, Grammatical Insights into the New Testament (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1965), 2-3

Exegesis starts with the text and views it within its syntactical, lexical, literary, historical, social/cultural, geographical, and theological contexts. Although exegesis of the biblical text focuses upon the languages, the linguistic factor is not the only factor to be considered. Everyday life differed greatly from our present day Western culture. In biblical times, culture changed from one century to another, from one people to another, and from one environment to another—just as it changes within our own setting. Attention must be given to identify the separate context for each passage. So much is unfamiliar to the modern, Western reader: clothing, food, the medium of exchange, local customs, religious observances, and dialects. How did these factors affect the meaning for both writer and recipient? That is the exegete’s challenge. The temptation is to merely catalogue, collate, and arrange information. Exegesis, however, is more than the collection and filing of data—it is interpreting the information. Anyone with a photocopy machine, scissors, and rubber cement can copy, cut, arrange, and paste quotations from sources and references. It takes an exegete to examine, evaluate, assimilate, and interact with the biblical text in a coherent interpretative exposition employing only the most pertinent citations. The interpretation should be synthesized and applied theologically and pragmatically. When the preacher’s sermon preparation reflects this approach, he has attained a significant goal in his ministry: he has become an exegete and an expositor of the Word of God. An old prospector summed up his life in the following words: “I spent five years looking for gold and twenty years looking for my burrow.” Striking exegetical gold has about the same ratio. For every nugget the exegete finds, he can expect to spend four

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

2

hours looking for it. Exegesis is not for the lazy or the quitter. It is a labor of love requiring commitment and perseverance. Word studies alone will not suffice. Indeed, over-occupation with word studies is a sign of the laziness and ignorance of the vast majority of what passes for biblical exposition in our times. It tends to be as inaccurate as a translation produced by using only a dictionary. Just as a sentence is more revealing than a single word, so the examination of a writer’s syntax and style is that much more important to a biblical commentator. It is not surprising that fewer books have been written on this subject than on vocabulary, because whereas students of vocabulary can quickly look up lists of words in concordances and indices, in the field of syntax the study is more circuitous. There is no help except in a few selective grammars and monographs, so that the worker really must work his way through all the texts in Greek. — Nigel Turner, Grammatical Insights into the New Testament (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1965), 2-3

Having decried over-emphasis on word studies, we must, however, recognize that the choice of individual words was significant to the writers of Scripture. It is legitimate for the exegete to ask, “Why did the writer choose this term as opposed to one of its synonyms?” Cicero somewhere has written of the scientia iuris: res enim sunt parvae, prope in singulis litteris atque interpunctionibus verborum occupatae.* Delete the prope and you have a fair description of the matter of textual criticism. Whether Euripides wrote or in a given passage is hardly of metaphysical import. But we must assume that he made a choice between them. This is sufficient justification for concerning ourselves with the problem. It made a difference to the poet; it should make a difference to us. This planet, I do not doubt, shall never want for people to despise such problems and those who try to resolve them. Such contempt is founded upon the remarkable premise that one who manifests a concern for minutiae must of necessity be both indifferent to and unequal to profound problems. The Greeks, on the contrary, in their simplicity had contrived a word to express this reverence before even the smallest truth; and that word is . The sacred writer speaks not idly when he reminds us that ☺ ⌧ .** — Robert Renehan, Greek Textual Criticism: A Reader (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1969), 134 * “knowledge of law: the matters are indeed small, mainly occupied with individual letters and also the punctuation of words” [WDB] ** “the one despising the little things shall fall because of the insignificant” [WDB]

Preliminaries—Before Commencing Exegesis Unless the heart and mind are right with God, there is no way that the expositor can be right with the text. We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keep ourselves in order. If I want to preach the gospel, I can only use my own voice; therefore I must train my vocal powers. I can only think with my own brains, and feel with my own heart, and therefore I must educate my

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

intellectual and emotional faculties. I can only weep and agonise for souls in my own renewed nature, therefore must I watchfully maintain the tenderness which was in Christ Jesus. It will be in vain for me to stock my library, or organize societies, or project schemes, if I neglect the culture of myself; for books, and agencies, and systems, are only remotely the instruments of my holy calling; my own spirit, soul, and body, are my nearest machinery for sacred service; my spiritual faculties, and my inner life, are my battle axe and weapons of war. — C. H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students (reprinted; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Associated Publishers and Authors, Inc., n.d.), 1-2

Pray with the psalmists: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, ESV). “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18, ESV).

A text without its context is pretext. Exposition without expiation is exploitation. Preaching without prayer is presumption.

3

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

4

Exegetical Procedure The following seven steps are offered as one structured approach to the biblical text designed to produce a full examination of the language, context, and background with a view to exposition.

TRANSLATE Perform a provisional or preliminary translation of the text. This could be accomplished by diligently comparing the original language with a literal translation such as the English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), or the New King James Version (NKJV). Note any translational variations from the original language. Determine to discover the basis for any textual variant followed by the translation or suggested in the margins of the translation. Remember: no translation is perfect. OT

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (NKJV)

NT

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (NKJV)

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

5

OBSERVE Read and reread the text until saturated with it. Begin to ask questions about anything and everything in the text. What information does it give?—Who? When? Where? What? How? Why? Pay attention to details—be a Sherlock Holmes! Record any question that comes to mind—even if it might turn out to be a dumb one upon further reflection. Psalm 1:1 Should the first word be “Blessed” or “Happy”? Where is it used elsewhere? Does “the man” refer to one man, one person, or people generally? Is “not” a permanent negation? Does “walks” refer to a life-style or habit? Or, does it refer to attending a meeting of ungodly people? Who are the “ungodly”? Who wrote this psalm? When was it written? Why was it written? Philippians 3:7 Does “But” indicate that this verse belongs with the preceding verses? Should I start here for the sermon text? To what does “what things” refer? to the matters in verses 5-6? Does “were” refer to the distant past? Who is “me”? Where is he? When did he write this? What is the meaning of “gain”? Where is it used elsewhere? How often does the writer use “counted” in this epistle? Elsewhere? How often is “loss” that which is “counted”? What is the meaning of “loss”?

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

6

IDENTIFY 3.1

Grammar and syntax. 3.1.1

To what is each word, phrase, clause, sentence, and paragraph related? in what way? for what purpose?

Psalm 1:1-6 Do the three negatives of verse 1 represent increasing degrees of involvement in associations with the ungodly? Is verse 2 simply a continuation of verse 1, or is it an independent element that is the core theme of the psalm? Is “For” at the beginning of verse 6 causative, giving the reason for the statements in verse 5? Or, is “For” emphatic, with the idea of “Indeed”? What is the meaning of the word and how does it affect the relationship of verse 6 to the rest of the psalm?

Philippians 3:7-11 What is the force and significance of the perfect ( ), “counted” (verse 7)? Does “for Christ” in verse 7 relate to “counted” or does it relate to “loss”? What kind of genitive relationship is involved in “the knowledge of Christ Jesus” (verse 8)? Is it Christ’s knowledge of the writer? Is it the writer’s knowledge of Christ? Is it knowledge from Christ as its source? To what is “being conformed to His death” (verse 10) related?

3.1.2

Where is the prominence or emphasis? Pay attention to word order and the employment of emphatic words.

Psalm 1:1-6 Are the three negative statements in verse 1 emphatic by means of the repetition? Is “Blessed” emphatic by its position (word order)? Does the chiastic arrangement of the first two negative statements place emphasis on “in the counsel” and “in the path”? Philippians 3:7-11 Is “But” (verse 7) emphatic? See, also, the use of the same Greek conjunction ( ) in verses 8 and 9. Does the word order of verse 7 indicate any particular emphasis? Do the three uses of “count” ( ☺ ) indicate emphasis? What emphasis might the multiple particle present (verse 8)? Is any particular emphasis intended by the use of “rubbish” in verse 8?

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

3.2

7

Expression. 3.2.1 What idioms are employed?

Psalm 1:1-6 Is “knows the way” (verse 6) and idiom referring to election? care? Or, is it simply a non-idiomatic phrase referring to God’s omniscience? Philippians 3:7-11 Is “count them as rubbish” an idiomatic expression? If so, what is its meaning? If not, what would the non-idiomatic use mean or indicate? How would it affect the application?

3.2.2

What is the literary form? Is the text narrative or poetry?

Psalm 1:1-6 Psalm 1 is Hebrew poetry. It is either a wisdom psalm or a Torah psalm. What impact does this classification have (if any) on the interpretation of the psalm? Philippians 3:7-11 Philippians is a New Testament epistle. What impact does this classification have (if any) on the interpretation of this text?

3.2.3

What literary devices (chiasmus, repetition, inclusio, assonance, parallelism, paronomasia, etc.) are employed?

Psalm 1:1-6 What is the significance of the assonance involved in the first three words (ρε∃Α) ∃ψι)φη−ψ∀ρ:∃α), a^vr?-h*a'v a&v#r) of verse 1? What is the significance of the chiasm in verse 1? Are verses 1-5 arranged chiastically? If so, what is the exegetical significance? Philippians 3:7-11 What metaphor is employed in these verses? What is its exegetical significance? Does repetition play any role in this passage?

8

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

3.2.4

Perform a word study for each word crucial to the text. Keep in mind that many words have no great “golden nugget” of expositional truth outside their usage within the text’s proposition.

Psalm 1:1-6 ψ∀ρ:∃α), {ψιχ∀λ, ηφγφη, … Philippians 3:7-11 ☺

3.25

,

,

,…

State the argument and/or the development of the theme in your own words.

Psalm 1:1-6 . Philippians 3:7-11 .

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

9

EXAMINE 4.1

The circles of context to determine how the passage fits into each one (immediate context, remote context, and external setting). The external setting is in the ancient near eastern cultural, historical, geographical, political, economic, and spiritual milieu.

Psalm 1:1-6 What kind of context can be identified for Psalm 1? How does Psalm 1 relate to Psalm 2? How does Psalm 1 relate to Book 1 of the Psalms? How does Psalm 1 relate to the entire Book of Psalms? How does Psalm 1 relate to the entire Old Testament? How does Psalm 1 relate to the New Testament? In what period of Israel’s history was this psalm written? Are there any indications of its historical, cultural, or geographical setting? Philippians 3:7-11 How does this passage relate to the immediately preceding and following contexts? How does this passage relate to its related major section within Philippians? How does this passage relate to the entire Epistle to the Philippians? How does this passage relate to the Pauline corpus? How does this passage relate to the entire New Testament? Does this passage have any citations from or allusions to the Old Testament? When did Paul write this epistle? at what period of time within his life and ministry? Does the geographical, historical, or cultural context of Philippi have any bearing upon this passage? Does the previous mention of Jewish elements in Paul’s background flavor the vocabulary or concepts in this passage?

4.2

Parallel passages and identify both the similarities and dissimilarities in all areas (especially related to steps 2-7, above).

Psalm 1:1-6 . . Philippians 3:7-11 . .

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

10

SOLVE List all potential solutions for the significant interpretative problems encountered.. Choose one as the preferred solution and compare its adequacy with all other potential solutions.

CONSULT Check the commentaries for their interpretation. Watch for alternative interpretations and note any additional problems which you failed to note during your own study. Emphasize research in conservative commentaries as much as possible, but realize that theologically liberal commentaries can offer a lot of sound material with regard to the original language and its use.

EVALUATE 7.1

Be willing to modify and/or refine your conclusions.

7.2

Acknowledge any uncertainties, ambiguities, lack of knowledge, and/or need for additional information. Outline a method of conducting further investigation.

Abbreviated Exegetical Procedure A simple outline to keep in mind at all times contains just three words:

Information Relationship Emphasis 1. Information: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? 2. Relationship: What are the relationships of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and paragraphs? 3. Emphasis: On what element is the focus or emphasis? What is the evidence for emphasis?

Expository Preaching—Exegetical Preparation Barrick Shepherds’ Conference 3/03

11

Recommended Reading Old Testament Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. From Exegesis to Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998. Broyles, Craig C., ed. Interpreting the Old Testament: A Guide for Exegesis. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2001. Sandy, D. Brent, and Ronald L. Giese, Jr., eds. Cracking Old Testament Codes: A Guide to Interpreting the Literary Genres of the Old Testament. Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995. New Testament Thomas, Robert L. Introduction to Exegesis. Sun Valley, Calif.: author, 1987. Thomas, Robert L. Evangelical Hermeneutics: The New Versus the Old. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel, forthcoming. Rogers, Cleon L., Jr., and Cleon L. Rogers, III. The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.