Principles of Hermeneutics – Interpreting Scripture

Teaching Topics:

  1. “. . .find out the meaning of a statement for the author and for the first hearers or readers, thereupon to transmit that meaning to modern readers”. p. 5. Int. Bible
  2. Discover the original meaning; take into account changes in meanings which contemporary readers may attach to same words (e.g. suffer, gay, charity).
  3. Observe carefully the immediate context which precedes and follows the verse.
  4. Observe any parallels in same book. Be aware of purposes and development of thought (Proverbs – parallelism). Similar parables, metaphors, same terms.
  5. Observe any parallel truths in another book by same author (John, I, II, III John).
  6. If immediate context is of little or no value, try to find genuine parallels which come from same period of time (secular historians).
  7. The smaller amount of material to interpret, the greater risk of danger.
  8. Study it through the history of that time (e.g. idolatry issue addressed in a significant way in O.T. because of inter-relations between Israel and heathen nations.)
  9. Check the way the word is used in sentence structure itself (e.g. is it the subject, action, being acted upon). Check tense of verse.
  10. Example: Romans 1:1 = A slave, devoted one; paid for, had activities directed by lord. Entire life paid for. Servant=wealthy man, affords servants. Sounds like he hired him, not paid price for him Pays for services rendered
  11. Must be consistent with other Scriptural teaching (e .g. God, man, salvation, future, sin, etc.); therefore, we must know the Scripture.
  12. Must be aware of all possible meanings of the word in that period of occurrence. DecIde which meanings fit best the writer’s intent.
  13. If interpreter knows none of the Biblical languages, use a literal translation of ASV, NASY or NIV.
  14. If you know some of the language, keep in mind which kind Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic. They use sentence structure differently.
  15. Other factors Keep in mind culture, political situation, geography (Job’s dating), material culture -what kind of people-economically (shepherds, kings, seller of purple).r Jean THEY DIED AT THAT TIME PERIOD.