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When we are interpreting scripture, we must not only look at what was said, but also at the context in which it is said. Context not only includes passage, chapter, and book, but also the historical context and CULTURAL context. Only through examining these different areas of context are we able to come to a full understanding and proper interpretation of the passage.
I will give an example of this in the parable of the wedding feast. We will not look at the whole parable as I only want this to serve as an example how looking at the cultural context brings greater understanding and correct interpretation. In this parable, the king bound a man who was not properly dressed for the wedding feast, 11”But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22:11-14). Many people do not understand the significance of this slight. In those days and in that culture, especially with the wealthy and royalty, it was a custom for the host to provide the wedding garments for the guests. The man had absolutely no excuse for not being dressed in the wedding garment, as it would have been provided by the king. In this, it was not that the man did not come prepared or dressed correctly, neither was it that he was not invited, but rather it was he did not utilize what had been so graciously prepared and provided for him. Now, knowing this should bring greater understanding this parable. (going on a slight tangent, read Ephesians 2:8-10 and understand).
It is also important that we do not just take a single verse and try base a principle or doctrine on it. There have been many errors and false teachings spring forth based on a solitary verse or passage. Any verse or passage must be taken in context, not only in the immediate context, but also in the ultimate context of the entire Bible. Scripture says, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’.”(Matt. 4:4). If a conclusion we come to does not line up in agreement with the rest of the Bible, that conclusion needs to be reevaluated.
Satan tried to tempt Jesus using Scripture falsely. Satan used a simple verse to try and accomplish this. However, Jesus, knowing the entire Scriptures, was able to overcome this because He understood things in the entire context of the Scripture. There is nothing new under the sun. Satan still does this today by leading us to improper interpretation and false teaching. We would well to follow Paul’s advice to Timothy, “1Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15). It is not enough for us to just try to understand God’s word by simply reading, then coming to an immediate conclusion just because it “says” it. We must diligently seek the truth of what God is revealing and apply ourselves to studying His Word so we can know and apply that real truth, thereby knowing Him even more intimately.
I will give an example of this in the parable of the wedding feast. We will not look at the whole parable as I only want this to serve as an example how looking at the cultural context brings greater understanding and correct interpretation. In this parable, the king bound a man who was not properly dressed for the wedding feast, 11”But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22:11-14). Many people do not understand the significance of this slight. In those days and in that culture, especially with the wealthy and royalty, it was a custom for the host to provide the wedding garments for the guests. The man had absolutely no excuse for not being dressed in the wedding garment, as it would have been provided by the king. In this, it was not that the man did not come prepared or dressed correctly, neither was it that he was not invited, but rather it was he did not utilize what had been so graciously prepared and provided for him. Now, knowing this should bring greater understanding this parable. (going on a slight tangent, read Ephesians 2:8-10 and understand).
It is also important that we do not just take a single verse and try base a principle or doctrine on it. There have been many errors and false teachings spring forth based on a solitary verse or passage. Any verse or passage must be taken in context, not only in the immediate context, but also in the ultimate context of the entire Bible. Scripture says, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’.”(Matt. 4:4). If a conclusion we come to does not line up in agreement with the rest of the Bible, that conclusion needs to be reevaluated.
Satan tried to tempt Jesus using Scripture falsely. Satan used a simple verse to try and accomplish this. However, Jesus, knowing the entire Scriptures, was able to overcome this because He understood things in the entire context of the Scripture. There is nothing new under the sun. Satan still does this today by leading us to improper interpretation and false teaching. We would well to follow Paul’s advice to Timothy, “1Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15). It is not enough for us to just try to understand God’s word by simply reading, then coming to an immediate conclusion just because it “says” it. We must diligently seek the truth of what God is revealing and apply ourselves to studying His Word so we can know and apply that real truth, thereby knowing Him even more intimately.
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