Exegetical

Method

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
Induction:
Study
of Parts

Conclusion
about Whole

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
Versus Deduction:
Study
the Whole

Conclusion
about Parts

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
An inductive method is a good
starting point even though
deduction is a valid and necessary
method for theology.

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
1. Key: Study a particular passage in its
own context (book) without reference to
other biblical books.
Example: Studying James message without
interpreting James by means of Romans.

We must let the individual voices [of the

biblical authors] speak if we are to allow
the New Testament to articulate a word
that may contravene our own values and
desires. Otherwise, we are likely to
succumb to the temptation of flipping to
some comforting cross-reference to
neutralize the force of any particularly
challenging passage we may encounter.
[Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament , 188]

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
2. Skills to Cultivate
a. Big Picture Mentality
Keep Whole Book in View
Historical Setting in View

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
2. Skills to Cultivate
b. Listening to the Text
Initial Impressions
Questions Raised
Themes, Images, Effects

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
2. Skills to Cultivate
c. Summarization
Focused on Central Point(s)
Disciplined Paraphrase

Exegetical Method
A. An Inductive Method
2. Skills to Cultivate
d. Reading as Original Audience
[as much as we are able]

d. Reading as Original Audience

Barriers:
(1) Lack of Information about
Original Setting
Example: Parable of the Good
Samaritan [Lk 10]

d. Reading as Original Audience

Barriers:
(2) Contemporary Issues Cloud the
Texts True Focus
Example: Old Testament law read
through eyes of
Reformation issues

d. Reading as Original Audience

Barriers:
(3) Overexposure to the Text
Example: Pharisee and the
Tax-Collector [Lk 18]

d. Reading as Original Audience

Reading as original audience
helps us discover the original
meaning (the authors
original message)

Exegetical Method
B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines
1. Reflect on Presuppositions
Matthew 2: Who is Herod? Who
does he work for?

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. Identify Context (historical backdrop)
a. AADP

AADP
(1) Author
(2) Audience
(3) Date
(4) Purpose

Ephesians 2:11-22
(1) Author: Paul (in prison)
(2) Audience: Ephesians or
broader church audience
(3) Date: A.D. 58-62
(4) Purpose: Encouragement
to be the church

4. Research Background Information

b. Historical Issues in Passage

Example: Covenants (2:12)
Example: Chief Cornerstone (2:20)

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

3. Identify Genre (kind of literature)

3. Identify the Genre

a. Identify the Literary Form(s) in
the Text
(1) Three Primary Biblical Genres
(a) Narrative
(b) Poetry
(c) Epistle

3. Identify the Genre

b. Consult Secondary Sources for
Tendencies of/Principles for
Interpreting Genres

Once upon a time

At 9pm on Wed. evening, an

unidentified gunman entered
the Burger King on Valley
Creek Road and began to
shoot

Dear John

Roses and red,

Violets are blue

Here it comes..the dreaded

Christmas letter. This one will be
filled to the brim with all manner
of posturing and grandiose selfcongratulatory statements.

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. Identify Context
3. Identify Genre
4. Identify the Text and Cotext

Identify the Text and Cotext

Goal: To avoid proof-texting.
[taking verses out of cotext]

Identify the Text and Cotext

Are Gods consolations not enough for
you, words spoken gently to you? Why
has your heart carried you away, and
why do your eyes flash, so that you vent
your rage against God and pour out such
words from you mouth?
[Eliphaz in Job 15:12-13]

a. The Whole Book

(1) Read through for Overview
(2) Outline Book: Natural Divisions
(3) Title Sections
(4) Identify Major Themes
(5) Identify Purpose(s)

Outline of Ephesians
Eph 1:1-3:21
Gods Purposes for the Church
Eph 4:1-6:24
Live In the Light of His Purposes

Identify the Text and Cotext

a. The Whole Book
b. The Larger Section
c. The Immediate Context
d. Reassessment of Texts
Boundaries

Ephesians 2:1-10: Old Life before Salvation

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
not by works, so that no one can boast. [2:8-9]

Ephesians 3:1-13: Pauls Mission to Gentiles

Gods intent was that now, through the church, the
multifaceted wisdom of God should be made known
to the rulers authorities in the heavenly realms.
[3:10]

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. Identify Context
3. Identify Genre
4. Identify the Text and Cotext
5. Carefully Study the Text

Study the Text or Passage

[Read Passage Slowly & Carefully]

a. Outline the Passage: Find Major

Sections and Title

Ephesians 2:11-22
2:11-12 Remember Former
Exclusion
2:13-18 Present Reconciliation
through Christ
2:19-22 Inclusion into Gods
People

Study the Text/Passage

[Read Passage Slowly & Carefully]

a. Outline the Passage: Find Major

Sections and Title
b. Map the Passage
c. Identify Key Ideas
(put in sentence form)

1. The Gentiles were being reminded of

their former life of separation from God
and God's people.
2. Christ made peace between the
two groups, unifying them and
reconciling them both to God.
3. The Gentiles were thereby enfolded
into God's household, his building, his
temple.

Study the Text/Passage

[Read Passage Slowly & Carefully]

d. Research Key Words/Phrases

[original language caution]
e. Consult Commentaries

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. Identify Context
3. Identify Genre
4. Identify the Text and Cotext
5. Carefully Study the Text
6. Summarize the Key Ideas
of the Text

Ephesians 2:11-22
Paul reminded his Gentile audience that,
even though they had been formerly
alienated from God, they were now
reconciled with God and Gods people
through Christ and, as a result, an
integral part of the people of God indwelt
by Gods spirit.

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. Identify Context
3. Identify Genre
4. Identify the Text and Cotext
5. Carefully Study the Text
6. Summarize the Key Ideas
7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger
Biblical-Theological Story

7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger

Biblical-Theological Story
Use of OT Citations of Allusions
Is OT used to support the argument?
To evoke a part of Israels story?
To provide an analogy?
To stress continuity between OT and NT?

B. Nine Exegesis Guidelines

2. Identify Context
3. Identify Genre
4. Identify the Text and Cotext
5. Carefully Study the Text
6. Summarize the Key Ideas
7. Integrate Conclusions with Larger
Biblical-Theological Story
8. Delineate Relevant Implications for Today

Paul reminded his Gentile audience that, even

though they had been formerly alienated from
God, they were now reconciled with God and
Gods people through Christ and, as a result,
an integral part of the people of God indwelt
by Gods spirit.
OR
YOURE IN!!
NO MORE EXCLUSION!

A Vision of the Church:

At peace with God and
reconciled and in unity with
one another through Christ

1. Reflect on Presuppositions that

Impact Interpretation of a Passage
9. Rethinking our Presuppositions:
Are we being transformed?
Impact of Conversations with others
Transformation that has occurred

 Studying the Bible Historically

and Inductively:
Like visiting a foreign
country

Studying the Bible Historically

and Inductively:
Like visiting a foreign country
Reading the Bible Devotionally:
Like visiting an old & dear friend