The Business

of
Exegesis
Fundamental Questions
(in addition to Steps to be taken in
the Study of the Passage itself)
 Greek Derivation
Exegesis:
=
 Ex – out

plus
 Hegeisthai – to lead, or guide

Thus indicating:
The process of explaining a text by
drawing out its meaning
 A Common Assumption of
Preachers
A task reserved for the biblical scholar
 Too complex for the ordinary pastor
 Very time consuming

Commentaries and articles

can perform the task for them
(thereby telling them what to preach and teach!)
 Historical Insight
One of the fundamentals of
the European Reformation
dealt with
the right of the whole church, clergy and lay,
to work at
the interpretation of Scripture

(Not the preserve of a few

in the scholarly guild of biblical studies!)
 Exegesis
Task 1

Examine the text

If not possible in the original language

then in translation
 Comparing Translations
of The Same Passage
 Radicallydifferent renderings suggest
caution in using such a passage as a
warrant for
 Some doctrinal position
 Some ethical stance

 Difference over a key word or concept

indicates the need to inquire further into
the word or phrase concerned.
 Caution
Be careful not to give
absolute authority
to any one translation
– another may present a different slant
on the text‘s meaning
 Exegesis
Task 2

Examine
the literary style and organisation
 Questions to Ask About The Passage:
A. Literary Style & Organisation
 Is it part of a larger piece of writing?
 How does it relate to the larger literary context?
(e.g. Introduce? Develop? Conclude?)
 Is there a logical structure?
 Where does the emphasis fall?
 Can anything be said about the authorship?
 Questions to Ask About The Passage:
B. Form / Genre
 What type of writing does it come from? (e.g.
Oracle, Proverb, Parable, Prayer, etc)
 Are there any symbols, images or metaphors?
 How does our awareness of the forms used
here affect our understanding of the passage?
i.e.:
 What it meant in its original setting
 What its message is for us today
 Questions to Ask About The Passage:
C. Historical Context

If the passage refers to some historical

event:
 To what historical experience is it referring?
 What would it have involved for those living
through it?
 What would it mean to the speaker‘s listeners?
 What significance should it have for us today?
 Questions to Ask About The Passage:
D. Theological

 What, if any, are the main theological motifs or

themes? (Note the key words of the passage)
 Does the passage refer to any larger
theological themes?
 How would the original listeners have
understood its theological significance?
 How should we respond to its message now?
 When to Consult
Study Aids
The order of work on a text is important:
First examine the passage to determine
a) What are the significant questions to address?
b) Form initial judgments about the literary, historical
and theological aspects of the passage.
Afterwards consult available study aids for help in
reaching the fullest understanding of the
passage. (Task 3)
 Task 3
Consult available study aids including:
Concordances - to discover what other
biblical passages say on the same theme /
subject
Bible Dictionaries - for more information on
a word / subject / person
Bible Atlases - to locate places mentioned
Commentaries – for other interpretations
and further insights about the content
 The Concordance
An indispensable tool for canonical study which...

 Listskey words in alphabetical order

 Records instances where such words appear in
other biblical passages

Not to use a concordance

is to look at a bible passage thinking that what is
seen there immediately
is all there is to see.
 Canonical Considerations
(Checking Against the Rest of Scripture)
Task 4
Specific passages
(and their related themes)
must be viewed
in the light of
the whole of Scripture.
 Where does this passage fit
 in the over-all development of its major theme(s)?
 in the total story of redemption?
Essential Steps in Exegesis of the Text

1. Analyse the STRUCTURE of The Passage

2. Analyse the CONTENT of the Passage
3. Find the over-all SUBJECT of the Passage
4. Identify the TEACHING about the over-all
Subject
5. Expose the original HEART-BEAT of the
Passage
6. APPLY the Heart-Beat (The Ministry Lesson)
 Steps in the Exegesis of the Text
• Note the Kind of Writing (The GENRE)
• List the Units of Thought (The basic IDEAS)
• Analyse the STRUCTURE of The Passage
• Its Shape (showing relationships of different parts)
• Its Repetitions (suggesting significances /emphasis)
4. Analyse the CONTENT of the Passage
• People involved
• Actions
• Ideas / Topics
• Find the over-all SUBJECT of the Passage
• Identify the TEACHING about this over-all Subject
• Expose the original HEART-BEAT of the Passage
• Apply the Heart-Beat (The LESSON for us today)
A fuller version would include:
• Study of significant WORDS in the text
• Study of CONTEXT
(using Bible Dictionaries / Commentaries, etc)
 Application & Delivery
The Exegesis (in the study)
is now complete
(This process relates to Hermeneutics,
the principles of interpreting a text)

The Exposition (in the pulpit)

can now be prepared
(This process relates to Homiletics,
the art of preaching)
The End