Text Analysis
Raising Questions about the Text
Liberty University - Greek Language Tools, Class, NGRK 506
Much of
good exegesis is simply a matter of raising the right kinds of questions. Remember how in the first module we looked at
the method of exegesis? Part of that
method involves raising certain kinds of questions about the text. Let’s look at this same material again in
more detail:
- 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 that the passage naturally raises.
·
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. (Why does Paul see something as being a
result of salvation, or why does the author see something as happening after
something else? Write all these
questions down.
- You should raise questions that you
believe you know the answers to, questions that perhaps seem obvious. Writing these down will help fix them in
your memory and associate them with the passage. Many times, when we go to preach or
teach on a scripture passage, we have gone so deeply into obscure matters
that we neglect to teach what is right on the surface. The surface matters are often the most
important. Don’t neglect them
simply because they are so obvious.
You’ve probably heard the story about the guy who ruined his car
because he did an oil change, and forgot to put the drain plug back into
the oil pan. Don’t do that with
Bible teaching.
- 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? You may want to
write down preliminary answers to these questions, but remember that your
commentary study will answer these in detail.
- Look for these things in the passage:
ü
Key words -- What words are especially important
in this passage?
ü
Imperative words -- Are there commands in the
passage? Any promises or warnings?
ü
Reasons or results -- Does the passage contain
words like "because," "so that," "if . . .
then"? Later we will look at types
of clauses and you will gain more skill in dealing with these.
ü
Comparisons/contrasts -- Does the writer use
these to bring out his ideas? Does he
use illustrations? What kind? Why those?
ü
Are there any metaphors, images, or similes in
the passage? In writing to Timothy, Paul
likens Christian service to being a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer (2 Tim
2). These images each highlight a different
aspect of serving Christ. A good sermon
might be built on an analysis of these images alone.
ü
Repetition and progression of ideas -- Watch for
repeated words and phrases. Are there
lists of ideas or items? Do they have
any apparent significance in their order?
They won’t always be significant and you want to avoid forcing a
significance onto a list which it doesn’t have, but you must raise the
question.
ü
Are there Questions -- Does the writer use them
to introduce a topic, summarize an idea, or challenge someone's thinking? Paul
does this all the way through Romans—almost as if he is engaging in an
imaginary debate.
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
Grammatical constructions -- What about the verb
tenses? Are they past, present, or
future? What do the pronouns refer
to? We will examine this in detail in
later modules.
ü
Atmosphere -- Is the passage marked by joy,
sorrow, rage, remorse, caution, or something else? Do emphatic statements tips off the writer's
mood? Is the writer joyful? Angry (Paul
in Galatians)? Serious? Fatherly (Paul to Timothy)?
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. Paul often writes several chapters of
doctrine and then offers numerous applications.
(This is a lesson for us in itself—application never stands alone—it is
always the application of sound doctrine—never teach/preach applications only
for months at a time. Like Paul’s
churches, the people you minister to need good doctrine regularly.)
You should print out this sheet and keep it with you whenever
you study the Bible, until it all comes naturally to you.
