The Importance of Context
Context is vastly important to our understanding of Scripture; to read a passage without understanding the surrounding verses can lead men astray and away from the truth of the Word.
Let’s take a look at a fairly common example, “Judge not, lest you be judged”
What does that say? Right there, without any other information, you’d be hard pressed to know exactly what the meaning is, but let’s have a go at it anyway for a moment. “Judge not” – well, that part, at least, is pretty straightforward, right? Dont judge someone else – don’t, you know, condemn someone based on their actions.
Right, that part’s done, easy enough. Now onto the next. “Lest you be judged.” Alright, that’s a little more difficult to put together, but it seems on the surface to mean “unless you be condemned yourself.”
That’s the most common view of this little bit of scripture, of course. How many times have you heard someone say “Judge not, lest you be judged!” when someone brings to their attention some unsavory act or habit that they might have? Let’s take a look at the surrounding context of that passage for a minute.
“1 Judge not, lest you be judged 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ”, , ESV
Notice something about that? It’s not suggesting that you should remain mum when someone does something that may or may not be sinful, it’s saying that you need to be careful when bringing something up to a brother or sister in Christ, as the same lens that you viewed them it, will be used to view you, by them. Looking further, in , we see the familiar passages about logs and specks in eyes. The whole meaning of the first verse is dependent upon the context of the later verses!
Remember to check the context!
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7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. (ESV)
7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (ESV)
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (ESV)
Grudges: Just let it go already!
Who’s got your goat?
Is there anyone you’re still angry with? Perhaps an old college friend who owes you a lot of money, or maybe someone made fun of you a lot when you were younger. Maybe it’s something more recent, such as a co-worker that you hold a grudge against refusing to talk with them amicably because of a personality difference, or maybe it’s a family member who has consistently ‘wronged’ you in some way.
The Bible is rich with text that tells us how we should feel towards grudges. In Ephesians, Paul says “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (). Notice what it says, right there at the end? “Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
It’s hard to do, though, isn’t it? It’s easy to get into a mindset of “They are the one who is wrong. I’m not doing anything until they apologize to me first.” Sometimes, though, we need to put the first step forward.
Let’s look at a crazy example. You’re on your way home from work, and you’re driving the right way down a one way street, and you notice that there is another car headed right for you! Now, clearly the other driver is in the wrong. He is, for whatever reason, driving the wrong way down a one way street, and if someone doesn’t do something, there’s going to be a pretty bad accident. You have two choices – you can either keep driving, and collide, or you can extend grace, pull off to the side of the road, and allow them to pass.
We can apply the same model to forgiveness – we can keep holding that grudge, until it wells up within us and destroys a relationship (or, perhaps, prevents it from ever healing at all), or we can extend grace, and forgive that other person.
Is there anyone whom you’re still angry with?
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31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)
Be Aware of Your Surroundings!
Are You Listening?
There’s an old anecdote that’s been around for years, often making rounds in email chain letters and Facebook Posts (go like our page!), and it goes something like this:
A man was sitting at home one evening during a torrential downpour, when his weather radio squawks to life. “There’s a flood warning for your area! Evacuate immediately!” Upon hearing this news, the man got down on his knees and prayed “Lord, deliver me from this tribulation. Please keep me safe from the weather and the flood!” and then promptly went outside to sit on his porch and watch the torrent.
The flood waters were rising steadily, quickly overtaking the gutters and the sewers, and his neighbor pulled up in his SUV. “James! Get in the truck, we’re going to the shelter!” he shouted as a peal of thunder rumbled in the distance. “No thanks, Dave, I have Faith in the Lord. He will deliver me from this trial!”
Dave drove on.
The waters began to rise even more rapidly, and James goes up to the second floor of his house, where he sits, overlooking the river that used to be his rose bushes. Soon a small fishing boat putteres up to his wndow. “Hey! Get in! The dam’s about to burst! This whole area is going to be completely underwater soon!”
James shouts back “The Lord will deliver me from this trial! I have faith in Him!”
The boat pilot shakes his head, and navigates away to safety; the waters rising even more.
James is soon driven to the roof of his house, where he utters another prayer to God. “Oh Lord, why have you forsaken me?! Deliver me from this trial! Lord, I trust that you will protect me and end this torment!”
The thunder grows ever louder and almost masks the sound of a helicopter overhead; James looks up to see the harsh glare of a spotlight as a ladder unfolds from the bottom of the aircraft. A man with a megaphone leans out of the side door. “Sir. Get in the helicopter. You are not safe here.”
The shingles were beginning tear away from the roof as the water rushed over them. James, staring into the light, is reminded of the Lord and how He always provides. “No!” he shouts at the top of his lungs, waving his arms frantically, “The Lord will provide for me. I am safe!”
As the helicopter fades into the night, a large roaring sound is heard in the distance as the overloaded dam finally gives way. The ensuing rush of water decimates James’ house, and he drowns.
He awakes to a soft glow, and finds himself face to face with God. James lies prostrate before Him, sobbing. “Oh, Lord! I had faith in you! I trusted that you would deliver me from that tribulation! Why did you allow this?”
To which God replied: “James, you silly man. I sent your neighbor, a boat, and a helicopter. What more did you want?”
Sometimes, we can miss the forest for the trees, we miss what God has clearly put before us, and look for what we would consider ‘divine intervention.’ How do you see God’s provision in your current situation?
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Whose Chapter Is It Anyway?
Have you ever thought about the chapter and verse numbers in the Bible?
Other than when looking up a passage, I mean. “What is there to think about?” you may ask. Well, chapter numbers, verse numbers, and section headings may be affecting the way you interpret the Bible without you even knowing it.
The reason this can be a problem is that chapter numbers, verse numbers, and section headings were not in the original texts of the Bible, so they aren’t inspired. Our current chapter divisions were made in the 13th century, and verse divisions the 16th century (according to Wikipedia). Section headings are made anew each time a new Bible translation is produced. Since they aren’t original, all of these divisions should be treated like footnotes: helpful information, but not a word from God. But how can chapter and verse numbers affect how you interpret the Bible? They’re grouping things, and these groupings affect the relationships you see between passages.
Apparently the show took an interesting turn after the reboot….
For example, in the 1984 edition of the NIV, there is a section heading in between and 12. As a result, many readers interpreted on their own, without considering their connection to . They read Paul’s statement that “I press on toward the goal” (v. 14), and, because Paul didn’t say what “the goal” is, they tended to read into the text their own view of the goal of the Christian life. But in Paul says exactly what he means by the goal of the Christian life: “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…[to] gain Christ…that I may know him.” Knowing Christ is the specific goal Paul is striving for. By introducing a section heading between these passages, the translators made it harder for readers to see the close connection between them. Thankfully, in the 2011 edition of the NIV, the section heading was moved to after , so now this connection is easier to see.
How can you avoid letting chapter numbers, verse numbers, and section headings influence your interpretation of the Bible?
- Get a non-study Bible. Ideally, this Bible should have as few section headings and footnotes as possible—only footnotes offering alternate translations where a word was in doubt.
- Do a manuscript study. Copy the passage you’re studying into a word processor and delete all the chapter headings, verse numbers, section headings, and footnotes. You’ll be amazed how you’ll see connections you never saw before. But how do you decide how much of the text to look at? To do that…
- …Focus on literary units. Think through the point the author is making, and group together the sentences that seem to be about the same topic. This forces you to think through the author’s argument yourself, rather than relying on a Bible translator to do it.
Have you ever noticed chapter numbers, verse numbers, and section headings affecting your interpretation of a passage? Have you ever tried doing a manuscript study? How did it go? Let us know in the comments!
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3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (ESV)
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV)
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV)
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV)
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer is not just a one way street.
It’s a two way conversation between you and God. You speak to God, and God speaks to you through the Bible, through conversations with others, and through experiences. This is one reason why community with other believers is so important: Further understanding of God’s will, and His plan.
So, how do you have a conversation with God? Speak scripture to yourself! Jesus left us with an awesome template for how we are supposed to communicate with Him! () Sure, we can pray the Lord’s prayer word for word – by itself it’s a great reminder of His love for us, and His provision, and it’s a wonderful communication tool. It’s also an effective outline for communicating with the Lord.
If you’ve never tried this before, I’d challenge you to do so sometime soon. Use the Lord’s prayer as an outline for discussing the events of your life and current situation with your Father.
“Our Father, in heaven, Hallowed be your name” – Lift Him up! Set yourself beneath Him! Father, you are greater than everything else, you are the Lord of all. You are amazing; all I have is from you, all I have is yours! Father God, Your will is greater than mine – Your will set my paths straight! I know that my plans are but nothing to what you have in store. Lead me Father! Today, I witnessed your greatness and provision in such an amazing way! Thank you so much for the sacrifice that you, that your son, took in my place – you have forgiven me for so much; even my best is but refuse before you. Forgive me for my transgressions Lord, for they are many, and help me to show that same forgiveness to others. Lord, set my paths straight, that I may come to know you and do your works on this earth.
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9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. (ESV)
Is Your Forgiveness Scalable?
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
It’s often one of the first things that comes to mind when we think about the difficult topic of forgiveness. The thought comes from —”as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” In the same way that the Lord forgave you, you should also forgive. To the same degree. And how did God forgive you? Unconditionally. When you didn’t deserve it. When you weren’t even asking for it. When you were still his enemies (). But forgiving in this way is a tall order—maybe the most difficult thing in the Christian life. We should forgive others who don’t deserve it, but how can we possibly do this?
I haven’t suffered enough to speak too authoritatively on this, but I have one thought that has helped me. Compare to , which says “We love because he first loved us.” This time the connection between God’s actions and ours isn’t “as,” but rather “because.” The reason you should love others is because God loved you. In other words, the ultimate motivation for our love for others shouldn’t be fact that they deserve love. Instead, the motivation should be that God has loved us.
Now, let’s apply this concept to forgiveness, since forgiveness is one part of love. How can we possibly forgive others when they don’t deserve it? We can do it by finding our motivation in the fact that God forgave us. We can choose to think “God has forgiven me. He says that that should be enough reason for me to forgive others. Am I willing to trust him in this?” It doesn’t make forgiveness easy, but I think it helps.
But this thought process isn’t just for the times when it’s really hard to forgive. If we don’t practice this motivation for forgiveness when it’s easy, our forgiveness muscles won’t be strong enough to do it when it’s hard. We need to practice this motivation in the little things. As I’ve tried to do this, I’ve found out just how quickly my mind goes to other reasons to forgive. I tend to think “he didn’t mean to do it” or “it’s not that bad,” and these thoughts seem to help me forgive. But what happens when he did mean to do it and it is that bad? I will have trained myself to look for a reason to forgive within the person himself—and if I can’t find that reason, I can’t forgive. So lately I’ve been stopping myself and saying “whether or not he meant it, the reason I’m choosing to forgive him is because God forgave me.” It takes intentionality, but I think it better prepares me for harder things to come in the future. It also helps me focus my attention on God’s work of salvation, resulting in gratitude and worship—which is my end goal anyways.
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13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (ESV)
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (ESV)
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (ESV)
19 We love because he first loved us. (ESV)