Hermeneutics

session 2: contextual study

A. THE ILLEGAL ALIEN CHURCH IN JAPAN

A group of Christian foreigners illegally residing in Japan formed a fellowship to
protect one another. They all believe that the Lord allows them to remain in any country
as illegal aliens and disobey immigration laws. The verse they use to support this belief
is found in Romans 6:14b ("...for you are not under the law, but under grace").
This is a common mistake among Christians who do not study the context of
verses. Before we begin studying the context of verses, let us consider some exercises.
 Give handout on ‘Elmo’s Christmas’ (p. 11).
 Give handout on ‘Christine to Co-Host...’ (p. 12).

B. WHAT IS CONTEXTUAL STUDY?

Simply stated, contextual study of the bible attempts to understand the meaning of
certain verses in relation to the larger section where these verses form a part.

C. STEPS FOR DOING CONTEXTUAL STUDY (SUI)

1. SECTION
a. SECTION LIMITS - Identify the section where the verse is located.
 Read the verses, paragraphs, or chapters before and after a certain verse to get the main
section where the verse is located.
b. SECTION MAIN IDEA - State the main idea of the section in one or two
sentences.

2. UNITS
a. UNITS OF THE SECTION - Divide the section into different units.
b. UNIT MAIN POINTS - State the main point of the units in one or two
sentences.

3. INTERPRETATION
Interpret the verse in relation to the main idea of the section and the main
point of the unit of which it forms a part.

D. DETAILED DISCUSSION ON SUI

1. SECTION
a. SECTION LIMITS - Identify the section where the verse is located.
 Read the verses, paragraphs, or chapters before and after a certain verse to get the main
section where the verse is located.
 WHAT IS THE SECTION WHERE THE VERSE IS LOCATED?

Usually, verses do not have a meaning of their own. They get

their meaning from the larger story or section of which these verses
form a part. Thus, it is important to start with identifying the section
where the verse is located,1 before interpreting the meaning of the
verse.

WHAT CAN HELP US IDENTIFY THE SECTION?

a) Follow the subject

The different sections of a book can be known by
following the subject matter being discussed by the author.
Pay attention to the subject that the writer is discussing.
If he changes his subject, and shifts into a different topic, that
marks the end of one section and the beginning of another.
b) Take note of repeated words and ideas
An entire section, because it is discussing a common
subject, may be repeating some words and ideas.
When the section ends and a new subject begins, a new
set of words and ideas will emerge. Thus, taking note of
repeated words and ideas may help us determine the beginning
and ending of sections.
c) Look out for literary markers
What are some literary markers?
c.1 Inclusio
An inclusio encloses one entire section by using
the same word or idea in the beginning and ending of
that section. In this way, a section is easily determined
because it is started and finished by the same word or
idea. An example of an inclusio that frames one entire
section is the word “widows who are really in need” in 1
Timothy 5:3 and 1 Timothy 5:16.2 Thus, 1 TimothyGreek5:3-
letter chi 
16 forms one section.
c.2 Chiasm
The body as
members of A chiasm is a way of presenting ideas that
Christ.
resemble the Greek letter chi (). This is best illustrated
by the example of 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 below.
(A) 6:15a Your bodies are members of Christ and
became one with him.
(B) 6:15b Therefore, you never take away the
The body as
members of Christ and make them
members of
the prositute. members of a prostitute.
(B’) 6:16 If you join your body to a
prostitute, you become one

1
A particular book in the bible is composed of 1 or more sections. In the case of Paul’s letters, each is
composed of different sections. Some of Paul’s shorter letters may have only one section. Examples of these are Titus
and Philemon. Some have long sections like Romans 9-11.
2
ontos cherais - 
 with her.
(A’) 6:17 But you already joined yourself to the Lord and
became one spirit with Him.

The limits of a section with a chiastic structure is

easy to determine. The first and the last paragraphs (A
and A') mark the beginning and ending of the section.
The center part (D) also reveals one of the main
emphasis of the section.
c.3 Linking words
Linking words like ‘then’, ‘therefore’, ‘wherefore’,
‘but’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘meanwhile’, ‘now concerning or
now about’, etc..., may start whole sections and
paragraphs or units. A clear example of linking words
that start whole sections is the word 'peri de' ( -
now concerning) in 1 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians, Paul
uses the word ‘now concerning’ or ‘now about’ ()
to start whole sections.
  (7:1) begins the unit 7:1-24 on marital
issues.
  (8:1) begins the section on food offered to
idols in 8:1-11:1.
  (12:1) begins the section on spiritual gifts
in chapters 12-14.
  (16:1) begins the final section concerning
the collection for the saints on chapter 16.

b. SECTION MAIN IDEA - State the main idea of the section in one or two
sentences.

WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF A SECTION?

The main idea is usually composed of the subject, which is

constantly repeated and emphasized3 in the section. It is important to
know the main idea of a section, because it does affect the meaning of
the verse inside the section, which we are trying to interpret.

2. UNITS
a. UNITS OF THE SECTION - Divide the section into different units.
b. UNIT MAIN POINTS - State the main point of the units in one or two
sentences.

WHY DO WE DIVIDE THE SECTION INTO DIFFERENT UNITS?

Each smaller unit contributes in developing the main idea of the

section. The verse we are interpreting belongs to one of these units.
By determining how that specific unit (where our verse belongs)
contributes to the main idea, we get further understanding about the
verse we are interpreting.

3
In the case of the center part of a chiasm, it’s position in the structure gives it enough emphasis even if it
may not be repeated oftentimes in the section.
 WHAT IS THE MAIN POINT OF A UNIT?

The main point of the unit describes how a specific unit

contributes to the main idea of the section.

WHAT CAN HELP US DETERMINE THE UNITS OF A SECTION?

The tools that help us determine the section, are the same tools
that we will need to enumerate the different units. In a smaller scale,
we need to follow the subject, take note of repeated words or ideas,
and look for literary markers to determine each paragraph.

3. INTERPRETATION
Interpret the verse in relation to the main idea of the section and the main point of
the unit where it is located.

E. AN EXAMPLE OF DOING CONTEXTUAL STUDY

Let’s illustrate these 3 steps (SUI) using a slightly problematic verse in the Bible.
What does Paul mean when he said, “...hand this man over to Satan...” in 1
Corinthians 5:5?

1. SECTION
a. SECTION LIMITS - Identify the section where the verse is located.
 Read the verses, paragraphs, or chapters before and after a certain verse to get the main
section where the verse is located.

a. THE SECTION LIMITS OF 1 CORINTHIANS 5:5 is 1 Corinthians

5:1-13.
 This is because 1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21 talks about the main
idea of division in the church and the nature of church
leadership which is entirely different from the main idea of
removing an immoral brother in the church in 1 Corinthians 5:1-
13.
 HOW DO WE KNOW WHETHER IT IS REALLY THE MAIN IDEA?
The words, phrases and ideas which are constantly
repeated tell us a lot about the main idea of a section. In this
case the idea of ‘putting out an immoral brother’ is mentioned 6
times in the entire section.
5:2 the one who had done this deed might be
removed from your midst…
5:5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan...
5:7 Clean out the old leaven, that you may be a new
lump...
5:9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with
immoral people...
5:11 I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called
brother...
5:13 “Remove the wicked man from your yourselves.”
  1 Corinthians 6:1-11 is also talking about a different subject
regarding believers inside the church suing one another in
pagan courts. Thus, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 should be isolated as
one section different from 1:10-4:21 and 6:1-11.
b. SECTION MAIN IDEA OF 5:1-13 is
“Remove the man, who has his father’s wife, from among you.

2. UNITS
a. UNITS OF THE SECTION - Divide the section into different units.
b. UNIT MAIN POINTS - State the main point of the units in one or two
sentences.

a. THE UNITS OF THE SECTION are

1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 5:6-8; and 5:9-13.
WHY? What is my reason for dividing section 5:1-13 in three
paragraphs? I identified some repeated words that Paul used and his
changing style of writing.
 In 5:1-5, the subject of removing the immoral man who has his father’s
wife is discussed in plain language.
 Then in 5:6-8, Paul shifts to a more figurative discussion using Passover
terminology. The language of ‘leaven’ alone (zume, azumoi) was
mentioned 7 times in just 3 verses (5:6-8).4 This shift marks a
transition to a new paragraph.
 Finally, in 5:9-13, Paul shifts once again to plain language to conclude
his discussion.

b. THE UNIT MAIN POINTS IN RELATION TO THE MAIN IDEA OF

THE SECTION are
REMOVE THE MAN, WHO HAS HIS FATHER’S WIFE, FROM
AMONG YOU.
(Main idea of 5:1-13)
5:1-5 Because I have already judged and decided to deliver such man
to Satan.5
5:6-8 Because if he is not removed, like a small ‘leaven’ that is
enough to corrupt the entire lump, his single presence will corrupt the
whole church.6
5:9-13 Because I already wrote you in my previous letter not to
associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person.

3. INTERPRETATION
4
The noun zume () and other derivatives (verb form, etc...) is mentioned 2x in 5:6; 2x in 5:7; and 3x in
5:8.
5
That this is the main point of the unit is probably evident to the fact that Paul emphasized this statement
twice (5:3-5).
6
The idea of the Passover is probably pertaining to how Christianity should be lived in the church now that
Christ died for us. It should be lived with cleanliness from the old leaven, which is immorality inside the church.
 Interpret the verse in relation to the main idea of the section and the main point of
the unit where it is located.
Let us go back to our earlier question concerning the meaning of
Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 5:5 (“...hand this man over to Satan).
THE INTERPRETATION OF 1 CORINTHIANS 5:5 IN RELATION TO THE UNIT
MAIN POINT
AND SECTION MAIN IDEA is
The clause “...deliver such a one to Satan...,” (1 Corinthians 5:5) is part
of a unit and an entire section where the main idea is about 'removing the one
who has his father’s wife from among you.' Therefore, in relation to such
context, the clause “...deliver such a one to Satan...,” must simply be
understood as Paul's figurative command of ‘removing the one who has his
father’s wife from among yourselves.’
 F. ELMO’S CHRISTMAS
Elmo’s father drinks from morning till midnight almost everyday. His mother
gambles all that he and his three younger sisters collect from begging in the streets.
Elmo’s greatest desire for Christmas was to buy three pairs of rubber slippers for his three
younger sisters so that their wounded feet will no longer be infected and will heal faster.
He was about to buy the slippers from his savings when his father saw him in the market
counting the money. Angered for not telling him that Elmo still has spare money, he beat
him black and blue and took all the money allotted for the slippers. A certain social
worker, whose name is Anna, saw all what happened and took Elmo immediately to the
nearby hospital. Anna listened attentively as Elmo told his story about their miserable
family life and about the stolen money allocated for the slippers. Heavily depressed
from Elmo’s story, Anna vowed that she would do all that is in her power as a social
worker to remove Elmo and his sisters from their home next year. For the mean time she
bought 4 rubber slippers and four rubber shoes for Elmo and his sisters as her Christmas
present. Christmas was transformed from hell to paradise.
QUESTION
Can you explain the meaning of the underlined sentence.

G. CHRISTINE TO CO-HOST SANG LINGGO?7

by: RICKY LO
1
Could it be true that Carmen Soriano has married again, her fourth so far? 2Rio
Diaz and Charlie Cojuanco, Negros Occidental Representative and Pontevedra (Negros
Occidental) Vice-Mayor respectively, are currently on vacation in Mexico. 3Expect Rio
to come up with hot Mexican dishes on her Saturday show Sarap when she comes back.
4
Sharon Cuneta has been engaging her colleagues in interesting face-to-face/one-on-one
interviews on her self-titled ABS-CBN Sunday show. 5She has talked to a tearful Martin
Nievera, a weepy Pops Fernandez and a jolly President Erap. 6Sharon will have Maricel
Soriano as special guest on Sunday, Nov. 8. 7Will she make Maricel also cry or laugh to
death? 8Effective next Monday, Nov. 16, Christine Jacob, formerly of the rival GMA
noontime show Eat, Bulaga! (which she quit under not-so-friendly circumstances), will
start co-hosting ABS-CBN’s Sang Linggo nAPO Sila in what can be described as a
“casting coup” or Christine’s classy way of showing, uh, “poetic justice.”
QUESTIONS
1. Is ABS-CBN producing Christine Jacob’s latest movie entitled “poetic justice”?
2. Divide the article into various news bits concerning different celebrities.

7
These are excerpts from the article, “Christine to co-host Sang linggo?” The Philippine Star, 5 November
1998, Entertainment section, p.28. The bullet points where removed and superscripts were added in the process.
 F. WORK SHEET FOR 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20
Using contextual study interpret the meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Or do you
not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from
God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body)? After doing the interpretation step of contextual study (step 3)
answer this question; “Since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, how can we best
glorify God through our bodies?” Do the three steps of contextual study, then answer this
question in the interpretation step. Do your work with scratch papers first then transfer
your final answers in the worksheet. Staple your scratch papers with the worksheet.

1. SECTION
a. SECTION LIMITS - Identify the section where the verse is located.
 Read the verses, paragraphs, or chapters before and after a certain verse to get the main
section where the verse is located.

WHAT ARE SOME REPEATED IDEAS THAT SURROUND 1 CORINTHIANS

6:19-20?

a. THE SECTION LIMITS OF 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20 is

.
(Give me the verse where the section starts and where it ends)

b. SECTION MAIN IDEA - State the main idea of the section in one or two
sentences.
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2. UNITS
a. UNITS OF THE SECTION - Divide the section into different units.
b. UNIT MAIN POINTS - State the main point of the units in one or two
sentences. Be sure that your unit main points are related with your main idea.
 UNITS of the section Unit main points
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3. INTERPRETATION
Interpret the verse in relation to the main idea of the section and the main point of
the unit where it is located.

Since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, how can we best glorify God through our
bodies?
4. PRINCIPLIZING

Write the biblical principle that can be derived from the passage.

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5. APPLICATION

What does that mean to me today?

What does it mean for the Church? .