Lecture 2: Exegesis

Introduction: Hermeneutics
Definition & Outline Lecture 2: Exegesis

Exegesis: describe, • Structure

show forth. • Kernel Idea
Jn. 1:18 No one has
• Background
ever seen God; the only
God, who is at the
Father’s side, he has
made him known
(ἐξηγήσατο).
 I. Text
Structure

II. Chart the book

III. Line Diagram

 I. The First Things
• Read a text in the original language (Alternative, ESV).
• Compare them with other versions (i.e. ESV, NIV, NLT,
non-English versions …).
II. Chart the book
 II. Chart the book
• Overall structure or storyline.
• Before and after a text.
• Example: Matthew 4:1-11
3:13-15 Baptism of Jesus
4:1-11 Temptation of Jesus
4:12-17 Ministry of Jesus (victory)
III. Line Diagram
III. Line Diagram
III. Line Diagram
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
III. Line Diagram
Ex. Ephesians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus

by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus,
and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you
and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 III. Line Diagram
• Starts with sentence/phrase diagram.
• Use a detailed diagram as they are needed.
• Recommend deferring and revisiting for a complex
structural issue.
• Exercise: Matt 17:24-27
 I. Grammar
Kernel Idea

II. Semantics

III. Syntax
 I. Grammar
• Textual criticism
• Noun, Verb, Prepositions, etc.
II. Semantics: Word Study
Silva’s degree of reference
• Fully referential: Plato
• Mostly referential: law
• Partly referential: cold
• Non-referential: beautiful
 II. Semantics: Fallacy
• The lexical fallacy
• The root fallacy
• Misuse of etymology
• The one-meaning fallacy
 III. Syntax
• Literal vs. symbolic
• Literary device
• Slang, jargon, euphemism
Background
Geography
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho
(Luke 10:30)
Economy, Politic, Military
• Nomad, Farmers
• Poverty
• Security
• Military Units
Culture
• Diversity – Israel & Canaanite, Jews & Greek.
• Family – marriage, children & adoption.
• Cosmology (divine being, human, etc.).
• Church
• Epistles