What steps can we take to "give the meaning" of biblical texts today? Scriptural Foundation “They read from the Book of the Law of God, translating it and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.” — Nehemiah 8:8 Step 1: Read the Text Out Loud • Follow Ezra’s pattern: gather God’s people and let the words be heard (Nehemiah 8:1–4). • Public reading underscores that Scripture is for the whole community (1 Timothy 4:13). Step 2: Stay Close to the Original • Work with reliable translations; when possible, consult Hebrew and Greek tools. • Aim for accuracy first, style second (Proverbs 30:5). • Avoid imposing modern ideas that are foreign to the text. Step 3: Supply Historical and Literary Context • Identify the author, audience, setting, and purpose. • Note genre: narrative, poetry, prophecy, epistle. • Recognize covenant era (e.g., Mosaic Law vs. New Covenant, Hebrews 8:13). Step 4: Clarify Word Meanings • Define key terms as they would have been understood by the original hearers. • Compare Scripture with Scripture: let clearer texts illumine difficult ones (Psalm 119:130). • Beware of anachronistic definitions. Step 5: Trace the Passage in the Canon • Show how the text fits into the unfolding plan of redemption (Luke 24:27). • Highlight fulfilled prophecy and foreshadows of Christ (John 5:39). • Let the unity of Scripture guard against isolated interpretations. Step 6: Draw Out Timeless Principles • Move from “then and there” to “here and now” without skipping the bridge. • Extract truths about God’s character, human nature, salvation, and obedience. • Keep applications rooted in the text, not personal preference (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Step 7: Encourage Concrete Response • Call for faith, repentance, or specific acts of love as the passage demands (James 1:22). • Reinforce that understanding Scripture leads to transformation, not merely information. Step 8: Guard the Process with Prayerful Dependence • Rely on the Holy Spirit, who authored the Word and illuminates its meaning (1 Corinthians 2:12–14). • Maintain humble teachability; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Step 9: Teach Others to Do the Same • Model sound handling of Scripture (2 Timothy 2:2). • Use small groups, family devotions, and one-on-one discipleship to spread these habits. • Multiply faithful interpreters so future generations also “understand what was read.” |
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