That’s Just Your Interpretation, Part 2
In our previous article on this topic, we saw that the mistaken impression that the Bible’s meaning is beyond our grasp arises in part because we fail to apply the same rules of interpretation to Scripture that we do to every other communication. The result is an array of interpretive approaches with few objective parameters by which to evaluate the results. This hermeneutical confusion can be eliminated by the application of universal principles that are necessary for all verbal interaction. The first such principle is that “a text cannot mean what it never meant” following from the fact that all communication has a historical context. And …
All Communication Has a Literary Context
In addition to the historical setting, interpretation is influenced by literary factors. Different literary types are to be interpreted differently. For example, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is a proverb. A proverb is not a blanket guarantee but rather a general truth. The Bible uses various literary types and devices which we must consider for proper interpretation.
1. Interpret every biblical text in the light of its literary form.
The Bible contains various forms of literature, such as poetry, narratives, proverbs, parables, letters, etc. Each of these is to be interpreted accordingly. For example, narrative portions of Scripture describe the actions of others while epistolary books often prescribe actions for others. So, Acts 1:12–14 (narrative) describes the fact that the disciples went to Jerusalem. However, it does not tell others to do so. On the other hand, Paul’s letter to the Romans (epistolary) prescribes actions for us: Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. – Romans 12:1
2. Interpret every biblical text in the light of its literary device.
Normal human communication often employs devices such as figures of speech. For example, one might say, “my mouth is on fire,” if he has just tasted something very hot. In John 10:7, Jesus said, “I am the gate.” Obviously, Jesus was using a literary device to make His point. Just as one’s mouth is not actually in flames, Jesus is not actually a gate. Literal (or normal) interpretation allows for those times when the Bible employs literary devices.
Interpretation Rule #2: All texts are not alike
All Communication Has a Grammatical Context
The difference between the original language of a biblical book and the language of readers today creates more obstacles to interpretation. However, these obstacles can be overcome by application of the following rules of interpretation:
1. Interpret every biblical text in the light of its original language.
The Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek (and a small portion in Aramaic). Since most do not know these languages, it is necessary to obtain a good translation of the Bible that converts the original languages into one’s own.
One factor to bear in mind when interpreting the language of Scripture is that all languages are univocal (“one voice”). That is, a word can only mean one thing in a given context. If this were not the case, only one word would be required to construct an entire language because that word could mean anything in any context.
2. Interpret every biblical text in the light of its larger logical units.
All communication is propositional. That is, all communication is constructed in sentences. But sentences are one part of a larger logical chain: words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and books. Thus, the context of a given word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, etc., is dependent on these other larger units of which it is a part.
Interpretation Rule #3: A text has only one meaning
Ultimate Source of Bible Communication: God
Because the Bible is composed of human elements, it is to be interpreted as normal human communication. Thus, the principles of interpretation listed above are applicable to any human communication, not just the Bible. However, the Bible differs from other human communication in one respect because, in addition to the human authors, the Bible has one ultimate author—God. Since there is ultimately a single author of the Bible, it has internal unity. This means that the Bible will never contradict itself. The following interpretive rules flow from the fact that the Bible has ultimately one author:
1. Interpret difficult passages in the light of those which are clear.
If the Bible clearly teaches a doctrine in one passage, another passage cannot contradict it. If you understand the meaning of a clear passage, it helps you interpret a difficult passage in that you already know what it cannot mean.
2. Interpret each biblical book in the light of its overall biblical context.
We have already noted that each passage must be interpreted in the light of larger logical units. Since the whole of the Bible has but one author, the largest logical unit for biblical texts is the entire Bible. Overall biblical context refers to both content and time. That is, an individual book of the Bible fits into overall biblical teaching and was written at a specific time within God’s progressive unfolding of the biblical revelation.
Interpretation Rule #4: The Bible communicates a unified message
Ken Brown is the pastor of Community Bible Church in Trenton, MI. We republish his article by permission.
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