LESSON 1- EXEGESIS between these two texts.
It is also quite possible , given
What is biblical exegesis?
Definition
 An explanation or critical interpretation of a text
1. WHAT IS EXEGESIS?
Definition
 To interpret a text by way of a thorough analysis of
its content
 In its most basic bible-relevant meaning, exegesis
means finding out what the spirit originally was
saying though its author in that bible passage
MAIN TYPES
HISTORICAL (using the historical context to find what
it meant back when it was written or when it happened )
CANONICAL (treating the bible as a while document
designed to be what a specific community shapes its life
by )
SYMBOLIC /ALLEGORICAL ( figuring out what each
story, character, and event represents)
RATIONAL (thinking it through using logic and
deductive technique
Jn1:1 “IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD , AND
THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD
WAS GOD.”
ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT
In the beginning was the word, and the word was with
God, and the word was god. He was in the beginning with
God.
The reference to the “ word” is difficult to separate from
the language of genesis 1 , with its echoes of ‘in the
beginning “ anf a creative “word” which called all things
into being.
CULLMANN argues that their coomon interest in the self
communication of God establishes a clear relationship
John’s tendency to use more that one way , “ that the
phrase “In the beginning “ combines both a
 TEMPORAL SENSE (“ in the beginning of
history) and
 COSMOLOGICAL SENSE (“at the root of the
universe”
In short
The opening verses leave little doubt that the Logos is
identified as being equal in divine status to that of God ,
and is fully God, so that what will be said about the Logos
will be said, in the fullest sense , of God.
2. WHAT IS EISEGESIS
Definition
 A process where one leads into study by reading a
text on the basis of pre-conceived ideas of its
meaning. It is rare for someone to be called an
ËISEGETE”, because eisegesis has a well-earned
negative reputation.
Meaning
 EISEGESIS is whats being done when someone
interprets the bible according to notions that were
born outside of the bible
 In Eisegesis, we read stuff into scripture. For instance
, the idea of the united states as a “Christian Nation”,
is the creation of egos who gloat over being
powerful . It has no basis in history or fact, but more
important, it has no basis in the bible.
 Thus it arises from Eisegesis. Yet some leading US
politicians and pastors interpret the bible through this
notion.
3. WHAT IS HERMENEUTICS ?
Definition
 The science of interpretation of a story or text , and
the methods used in that science
Meaning
 Hermeneutics is about the ways you discover
meaning in the bible for your life and your era,
faithfully taking its intents into today’s world.
 There’s a science and an art to that “Hermeneutics.
 Most Hermeneutical methods are done from inside a context ( the verses surrounding it ), its wider
Christian’s (or a Christian Community )own desire to context ( the book to be found in ), ans its complete
learn more of what God tels us in the Bible. context ( the bible as a whole )
 You use a hermeneutics, even if you think you don’t.
Hermeneutics are a type of discernment process, 5. THE PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE
ways of mining for God and God’s truth.
Once we’ve properly examined the passage to
understand its meaning, we have the responsibility to
WHAT IS A GOOD BIBLICAL apply it to our own lives. To “rightly divide the word
EXEGESIS of truth “is more than an intellectual exercise ; it is
a life changing event
 EXEGESIS means “exposition or
explanation.” Biblical exegesis involves the
examination of a particular text of scripture in
order to properly interpret it. Once we’ve
properly examined the passage to understand its
meaning, we have the responsibility to apply it to
our own lives. A person who practices exegesis
is called an exegete.
 Good biblical exegesis is actually commanded in
scripture. “Study [be diligent] to show thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). According to this verse,
we must handle the Word of God properly,
through diligent study. If we don’t, we have
reason to be ashamed.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF A GOOD

EXEGESIS
1. THE GRAMMATICAL PRINCIPLE
The bible was written in human language, ang
language has a certain structure and follows certain
rules. Therefore, we must interpret the bible in a
manner consistent with the basic rules of language.

2. LITERAL PRINCIPLE
We assume that each word in a passafe has a normal,
literal meaning, unless there is good reason to view it
as a figure of speech. The exegete does not go out of
his way to spiritualize or allegorize. Words mean
what words mean.

3. HISTORICAL PRINCIPLE
As time passes. Culture changes, points of view
change, language changes. We must guard against
interpreting scripture according to how our culture
view things “we must always place scripture in its
historical context.
4. THE SYNTHESIS PRINCIPLE
The best interpreter of scripture is scripture itself. We
must examine a passage in relation to its immediate