Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament

1 Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament July 2003 Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament / 1 Table of Contents Chapter 1 - 3 Interpreting Commands in the Epistles .. 4 Chapter 2 - 7 Translation Theory .. 8 Semantic 13 Annotated 17 Chapter 3 - Grammatical Context .. 18 Goal of Exegesis Grammatical 19 Discourse Analysis (DA) .. 22 DA - Relationships Between 24 DA - Coordinate vs. Subordinate Relationships .. 25 DA - Abbreviations for the Relationships.

2 29 Understanding Propositions .. 35 Sentence 36 Important Conjunctions and Particles .. 46 Greek Readings .. 49 Kinds of Clauses (Adverbial).. 50 Examples of Kinds of Clauses .. 52 The Greek 54 Greek 58 Sentence Flows - Introduction .. 64 Sample Sentence 69 Chapter 4 - Textual Criticism .. 72 Notes to Aland / Aland, The Text of the NT (1987) .. 73 Ten Rules of Textual Criticism .. 78 Principles for Choosing the Correct Text .. 79 Chapter 5 - Lexical Analysis .. 83 Sample Word Study With Theological 84 Summary of the Methodical Steps of Doing a Word Study.

3 87 Chapter 6 - Historical Context .. 98 Historical-Cultural Context Text 99 Chapter 7 - The Gospels .. 103 Method for Studying a Passage in Synoptic 104 A Listing of the Basic Literary "Forms" in the 107 Sample Chronology of the Events in the 110 Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament / 2 Recognizing Exaggeration in the Teachings of Jesus .. 111 Interpreting the Parables .. 113 Notes .. 115 Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament / 3 Chapter 1 - Preface Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament / 4 Interpreting Commands in the Epistles1 Principle # 1 A text cannot mean what it never could have meant to its author or his readers.

4 O For example, the canon was not in view in 1 Cor 13:10. o Direct prophecy and typological text are exceptions. Principle #2 Whenever we do share comparable particulars ( similar life situations) with the first-century setting, God's Word to us is the same as His Word to them. For example, many of Paul s' instructions to first century churches remain the same since we still have churches today (cf. 1 Tim 2:15; 1 Cor 3:16-17). o But, as we have seen, some of these are questioned. o Remember that the applicability of those teachings is questioned on the basis of the above-mentioned third criterion (which I believe to be erroneous) that - teaching motivated by and directed to a local cultural situation is not universally applicable.

5 Therefore, in counter-response to this, we state the third positive principle. Principle #3 The isolation of local or cultural circumstances as the occasion for a particular teaching does not, by itself, indicate anything about the normative nature of that teaching nor the non-normative nature of it. There must be other indications in the text to designate which is true. Determining Applicability It is first helpful to distinguish between what can be called "occasion" and "situation." For example, to instruct my son not to open the car door while it is in motion does not mean the car door can never be opened.

6 O The change in situation (from a car in motion to one at rest) nullifies the command. o Other changes in the situation could conceivably affect the applicability of the command also ( when my son becomes an adult may necessitate him having to open the door while the car is in motion.) o However, anytime the car is in motion, the command is applicable, not just for that one occasion. Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament / 5 Therefore, the distinction between occasion and situation consists in: o Occasion denotes the specific reason for a given command (teaching) ( the motion of my son s hand toward the car door while traveling on Main Street on August 5, 1982.)

7 O Situation denotes the general situation for which a given command or teaching is always applicable. This distinction is often neglected in determining the applicability of various teachings: o To argue that a given teaching has a specific occasion (which, indeed, all NT teaching has) does not preclude the possibility that there exist situations beyond that occasion in which the teaching may be applicable. o Therefore, the determination of "situation" is the crucial step in deciding the extent of applicability of a teaching or command.

8 Determining the Extent of a Situation A situation will often extend beyond the immediate occasion when the activity or state under discussion is such that it can recur or is constant - repeatable. o Thus, the activity of my son's stretching out his hand to a door can (and does) recur, suggesting that my command for that activity is to be applied beyond its immediate occasion. o Cf. The salvation - circumcision (works) occasion in Galatians! o Cf. The perseverance - persecution situation in Revelation, etc.

9 The explicit basis for a command or teaching can furnish an important clue. If that basis is by nature local or temporary, the situation may well be similarly restricted. But if the basis is general, it may be that the situation is also general. o Therefore, one could distinguish between a general principle and various possible specific applications appropriate for different cultures. Note the following examples: - Xians who are arguing for the privilege of continuing to join their pagan neighbors at their feasts in idol temples (1 Cor 8:11; 10:14-22) are forbidden by Paul to do so because it violates the general ideas of the stumbling-block principle (8:7-13) (esp.)

10 When bought in the market-place) and the principle of non-involvement with the demonic sphere (what then would be the legitimate applications today?) - Paul defends his right to financial support as an apostle (1 Cor 9:19-23) on the basis of 1 Cor 9:14, "those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." Therefore, although there are no longer apostles, the general principle is still applicable to ministers, etc. Reference Manual for Interpreting the New Testament / 6 - Paul commands people not to get drunk at the Lord's Supper (1 Cor 11:17-22) on the general basis that it is behavior unworthy of remembering Christ s death and second coming (vv.