Method of Exegesis
Liberty University - Greek Language Tools, Class, NGRK 506
This outlines the basic method of exegesis which you will use in this course. In this lesson we will use some of the matters laid out in step one. Later lessons will utilize other steps. As you learn more about using Greek resources all of the steps will become clearer to you. For now, just read through this document so you will be familiar with the steps.
Step 1: Choosing a Text
o Choose a complete text, selecting a genuine, properly translated text. Usually this will be a complete paragraph, though in some cases a single sentence will work. Do not choose just a phrase or clause. This is too small a unit and will lead you into preaching or teaching topical rather than exegetical messages.
o Choose the text with an open mind, willing to be stretched and taught by the text. If a text disturbs your thinking on a spiritual matter, it may be well to study it closely for your own spiritual benefit, even if you do not plan to preach on it any time soon.
o Seek to identify where a passage of Scripture begins and ends. Look for a complete unit of thought. Remember that chapter and verse divisions are relatively recent additions to the Bible. The original manuscripts had no such divisions. Often a verse begins or ends right in the middle of a sentence.
o Check the paragraphing. (The New American Standard Bible indicates a new paragraph by boldfacing the verse number or the first letter in a new paragraph. Many Bibles merely indent the beginning of a paragraph as in most books. Your software Bible may offer you the choice of dividing the text into verses or paragraphs. Some older Bibles indicate a new paragraph with the symbol ¶ at the start of the verse.)
o Look for literary clues that often mark units of thought: introductory statements; indications of time, place, or location; and concluding summary statements. These will be indicated by the word “Now” or “Finally” or “Having come to Capernaum” or something such as that. Learn to be alert to these statements. Many times they will introduce a whole section that will contain multiple preachable/studyable texts. You should never have such a turning point right in the middle of a passage you are studying, however.
o Look for thematic elements that hold a unit of text together and set it off from surrounding verses. That is, look for a key word (“Abide” in John 15, or “Faith” in Hebrews 11) or a theme or idea such as “Joy,” “Prayer,” “the Supremacy of Christ,” etc. A theme treated through much of a chapter will be too long for exegesis, but you may plan to exegete several passages from a chapter over a period of time, especially for a sermon series or Bible study unit.
o Look at Context: That is consider how what goes before and after your text influences the interpretation of your text. Would broadening the scope of your text by a verse or two in either direction alter your understanding of the text? (Eph. 5, Col. 2, 1 Pet. 5).
Step 2: Exploring the Text
o Read the passage repeatedly from one or more of the more literal translations: New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Williams New Testament, New International Version, or King James Version. Note any significant differences in translation for future investigation.
o Read the passage aloud at least once, preferably several times.
o As you do these first several readings, jot down quickly whatever observations, questions, initial impressions, and related thoughts come to mind. Do not worry about evaluating them now. Just record them. Think, feel, and imagine. Listen to the text without concern for "getting up a sermon" or writing an "A" paper. Ask God to speak to you through it. Do not bring in commentaries and reference books yet. Let them wait until after you have spent considerable time exploring the passage yourself.
Step 3: The Analytic Method
Then you will want to engage in a deeper analysis of the text: This is called analytic Bible study.
The Methodology of Analytic Bible Study
o Make a “block outline” of the passage. Copy the passage on a sheet of paper, arranging it in outline form by its component clauses. (How to do this is discussed later).
o Bombard the passage with questions. Insight often is the result of careful observation of things others overlook. Ask the “who,” “what,” “how,” and “why” questions. Let your sentence flow outline be the basis of some of your questions. You should want to know why certain ideas are linked as they are. For example, “Why does Paul see something as being a result of salvation?” or “Why does the author see something as happening after something else?” Write these questions down.
o Raise the following questions as well, and write them down. What is the immediate context? What is the larger context of the book? Who is the author? Who are the original readers? What is their situation at the time of writing? If you know the answers to some of these already, make note of those answers, at least sketchily.
o Look for these things in the passage:
ü Imperative words -- Are there commands in the passage?
ü Any promises or warnings?
ü Reasons or results -- Does the passage contain words like "because," "so that," "if . . . then"?
ü Comparisons/contrasts -- Does the writer use these to bring out his ideas?
ü Does he use illustrations? What kind? Why those illustrations?
ü Repetition and progression of ideas -- Watch for repeated words and phrases. Are there lists of ideas or items?
ü Questions -- Does the writer use them to introduce a topic, summarize an idea, or challenge someone's thinking? (Paul does this often in Romans).
ü Connecting words -- "But," "if," "however," and "therefore" are just a few of the connecting words that often tip off how ideas are related to one another.
ü Atmosphere -- Is the passage marked by joy, sorrow, rage, remorse, caution, or something else? Do emphatic statements tips off the writer's mood?
ü General structure -- How do ideas fit together? Sometimes an author states a general principle, then gives specifics. Other times he gives a list, then a summary statement.
Step 4: Seeking answers to your questions
Now you are ready to begin research. You want to take your questions now and find appropriate answers to them. Some of them will be answered directly from the Bible itself. For example the immediate context should be clear from reading the larger portion of scripture from which your passage comes.
Other questions will require use of reference tools or a commentary, or other resources. The introductory section of a commentary will give you insight into the author, the readers, the cultural setting and other factors that may influence the meaning of the passage.
You will want to focus early on those questions the Greek reference tools will help you with. You will likely have questions like “What does ‘justification’ mean here?” “What does Paul mean by ‘old things have passed away’?” etc. Many times the answer hinges on the grammar and word meanings in the passage.
As you study the passage you will try to answer as many of your questions as you can, using every resource available to you. Sometimes you will answer several questions at once. You may find the answers to some questions while researching others.
You may find that many of your questions can be grouped together. That is, you may have noted that your questions regarding grammar (verb tenses etc.) and content in the same place, are closely related. One answer may cover all of that.
Step 5: Interpretation
Now that you have answered so many questions, you will want to write out an interpretation of the passage. Describe in a few paragraphs what the passage means. Take into account the author, the readers, the situation, and the context in interpreting the passage.
Is there one main point the author seeks to make? Does he illustrate, explain, or define something? How does what he says relate to salvation, morals, the nature and attributes of God? Does the passage say, or assume something about mankind, or sin, or evangelism, or the life of the church? Does it say, or assume something about the Bible, or about sin? Don’t read into the passage more than is there, but be aware of what really is there.
Step 6: Application
See if you can find specific applications of the passage for modern Christians. It may apply to individuals, or to the congregation as a whole, or to families. You should look for theological applications as well as life applications. That is, you should look for applications in terms of truths to believe, as well as things to do.
After you have done this kind of study of the passage, you are ready to write a sermon or a Bible study lesson based on the passage of Scripture.
