Bible Study Context is Critical

[Malachi]

When Christians attempt to explain or interpret Scripture, it is vital that we always take into account the context of a verse or passage, and then interpret it in the light of ALL Bible truth, particularly New Testament truth. If we fail to see the context of a saying or a teaching, we will be confused and will also create spiritual confusion. Scripture should generally be understood in its plain, literal sense, unless there is compelling evidence to see something as a metaphor or a symbol.

The cults are famous for taking verses out of context and building their false doctrines on those Scriptures. But Christians can also fall into that trap if they are not careful. As an example let us take the false doctrine of Soul Sleep.

There are many who sincerely believe that the souls and spirits of the saints literally sleep in their graves until the resurrection. The reason for this is that the word *sleep* is used as a metaphor for death, and Sheol (Hades) was translated as *the grave* by the KJV translators quite frequently (and unfortunately). Thus the grave appeared to be where souls reside. But since we have the New Testament, we have no excuse for Soul Sleep. We see in the death of Stephen that his spirit (and soul) went directly to Christ (who is in Heaven, at the right hand of God) while his body *slept* in the grave (Acts 7:55-8:2).

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

 

[th1b.taylor]

When Christians attempt to explain or interpret Scripture, it is vital that we always take into account the context of a verse or passage, and then interpret it in the light of ALL Bible truth, particularly New Testament truth. If we fail to see the context of a saying or a teaching, we will be confused and will also create spiritual confusion. Scripture should generally be understood in its plain, literal sense, unless there is compelling evidence to see something as a metaphor or a symbol.

The cults are famous for taking verses out of context and building their false doctrines on those Scriptures. But Christians can also fall into that trap if they are not careful. As an example let us take the false doctrine of Soul Sleep.

There are many who sincerely believe that the souls and spirits of the saints literally sleep in their graves until the resurrection. The reason for this is that the word *sleep* is used as a metaphor for death, and Sheol (Hades) was translated as *the grave* by the KJV translators quite frequently (and unfortunately). Thus the grave appeared to be where souls reside. But since we have the New Testament, we have no excuse for Soul Sleep. We see in the death of Stephen that his spirit (and soul) went directly to Christ (who is in Heaven, at the right hand of God) while his body *slept* in the grave (Acts 7:55-8:2).

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Good illustration of this truth.

 

[Roro1972]

it kinda sounds like you blame kjv for soul sleep. soul sleep was believed long before kjv came into being

 

[Corn Pop]

Let bible interpret bible, precept upon precept.

 

[jasonc]

it kinda sounds like you blame kjv for soul sleep. soul sleep was believed long before kjv came into being

Tysdale believed in soul sleep as I think Luther did as well

 

[Malachi]

it kinda sounds like you blame kjv for soul sleep. soul sleep was believed long before kjv came into being

No. I blame those who are too lazy to search the Scriptures. Let's take a couple of the verse that seemingly suggest soul sleep.

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. (Eccl. 9:5)... Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl. 12:7).

We know that Ecclesiastes presents the observations of one who sees everything on earth as vanity. But that is not really the case for Christians, who know that their labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Thus he also presents death as vanity. But is it really true that "neither have they any more a reward"? We know from the New Testament that this is not what the Bible really teaches about the afterlife. There are rewards for the righteous and the unrighteous.

Take the phrase "the spirit shall return unto God who gave it". The word translated as spirit could also be translated as "breath" and all it means is that God gives breath to a living person, and takes away breath when that person dies. As to the ultimate fate of souls and spirits, we have further teaching by Christ and the apostles. And then we see Stephen asking the Lord to receive his spirit. Stephen knew the truth, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

I have used Soul Sleep to illustrate what happens when context is forgotten. There are many other false teachings and ideas floating around out there because the entire Bible was not consulted.

 

[Roro1972]

No. I blame those who are too lazy to search the Scriptures. Let's take a couple of the verse that seemingly suggest soul sleep.

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. (Eccl. 9:5)... Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl. 12:7).

We know that Ecclesiastes presents the observations of one who sees everything on earth as vanity. But that is not really the case for Christians, who know that their labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Thus he also presents death as vanity. But is it really true that "neither have they any more a reward"? We know from the New Testament that this is not what the Bible really teaches about the afterlife. There are rewards for the righteous and the unrighteous.

Take the phrase "the spirit shall return unto God who gave it". The word translated as spirit could also be translated as "breath" and all it means is that God gives breath to a living person, and takes away breath when that person dies. As to the ultimate fate of souls and spirits, we have further teaching by Christ and the apostles. And then we see Stephen asking the Lord to receive his spirit. Stephen knew the truth, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

I have used Soul Sleep to illustrate what happens when context is forgotten. There are many other false teachings and ideas floating around out there because the entire Bible was not consulted.

so you are upset with the OT being part of our bible. well I agree there were some teachings or beliefs before Christ came to earth that do not match our New Covenant. Christ made a New Covenant to clear things up and bring the gentiles into his rest and any Jew that would accept Jesus as the Christ.
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

 

[Malachi]

so you are upset with the OT being part of our bible.

That is hardly the point. I'm *upset* with the false doctrine which comes from not keeping Scriptures in context (as should every Christian. The OT is Scripture and is there for our edification. But is we do not take all Scripture into account, we end up with incorrect interpretation.

 

[Roro1972]

That is hardly the point. I'm *upset* with the false doctrine which comes from not keeping Scriptures in context (as should every Christian. The OT is Scripture and is there for our edification. But is we do not take all Scripture into account, we end up with incorrect interpretation.

Are you suggesting Christians should do their own translations rather than use todays bibles?
if I have been believing the kjv and now you have found it is a mistranslation what am I to do?
How did you decide scripture is not in context?

 

[JohnDB]

Hermeneutics is the BLEND of art and science to decipher what ancient literature means.

Art including all the metaphors, idiom of speech, hyperbole, allegory, schdochyne, and etc

Sciences including history, geography, anthropology, mathematics, and etc.

When it comes time to decipher the blending seems to be as individualistic as well when it comes to scriptures. Some prefer a more artistic blend than others making it to be all fantasy....others take the scientific approach to the same affect...
Or to the extreme of legalistic, ritual filled, emotionless actions.

I've seen the wide array of all options fully embraced.

Why?
Because in all the centuries man seems intent upon worshipping idols that they have created. The Golden Calves in Samaria that Jehoram, Son of Nebat created was supposed to be another way to worship God instead of going to the Temple in Jerusalem...
And the really sorrowful point of those calves was that the false religiosity stuck...and people went along with it.

I see that today things aren't different.

 

[reba]

Adimn suggestion
Lets back away from personal attacks ..
We are reading cold pages off a cold screen we do not have the advantage of eye contact.. the nuances of facial expression ...

While we all agree context is extremely important , we all do not see the same context...

 

[turnorburn]

Which of these are Gods words.. they can't both be...

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.

 

[JohnDB]

Which of these are Gods words.. they can't both be...

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.

Why not?

 

[turnorburn]

Read them both very carefully then you tell me..

 

[JohnDB]

Read them both very carefully then you tell me..

I see them both, in context, relating the same truth.

Am I missing something?

 

[turnorburn]

You don't see the difference between "call to penance" and "come to repentance" Look again...

 

[JohnDB]

Return to penance

VX


come to repentance.

In both era when this was translated....
Both originally contained the same thoughts.

Language changes over time

 

[jasonc]

Return to penance

VX


come to repentance.

In both era when this was translated....
Both originally contained the same thoughts.

Language changes over time

Try looking at how much Hebrew has changed

 

[turnorburn]

Return to penance

VX


come to repentance.

In both era when this was translated....
Both originally contained the same thoughts.

Language changes over time

Gods word never changes over time.. there is a distinct difference between Repentance and Penance.. One is God made the other Man made.. the latter being blasphemous...

 

[turnorburn]

Try looking at how much Hebrew has changed

Without looking I'd have to say it hasn't changed one jot or tittle..