Exegesis
“Exegesis is concerned with the original meaning of a text. It focuses on what the author wanted to say and what the text meant to the original reader.” SSL 11 p. 89
“Exegesis (from the Greek ἐξηγεῖσθαι 'to lead out') Biblical exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of the Bible. The goal of Biblical exegesis is to find the meaning of the text which then leads to discovering its significance or relevance…Exegesis consists of interpretation principles that focus primarily on the written text.” Wikipedia
PRACTICAL TIPS:
In order to understand the original meaning of a text, you must consider immediate context
In order to understand the original meaning of a text, you must consider larger context.
The original meaning of a text can be aided by understanding the “times and the circumstances during which a particular text was written and by whom.” SSL p. 91
Understand the differences between the homiletical usage of a text and exegetical usage of a text.
Homiletics
“Homiletics is the art of preaching. In a homiletics class a student learns sermon preparation and how to use the Scriptures in preaching. Sometimes a preacher may use just the wording of a text, without special regard for its original meaning, to make a point or an appeal during a sermon. This is called the homiletical use of Scripture.” SSL p. 90
PRACTICAL TIPS:
Understand the original meaning of a text first before you use any part of the text for homiletical usage.
The homiletical usage of a text should not be so drastically different from the original intention of the text.
Understand the differences between application and interpretation. Interpretation is the original meaning of a text. Application is how you use the interpretation of the text for our day-to-day life.
Time and Place
“Acrucial rule of biblical interpretation is the principle of studying the times and circumstances during which a particular text was written and by whom.” SSL p. 91
PRACTICAL TIPS:
Examine the historical background for every book in the Bible.
SDA Bible Commentary has historical background for every book in the Bible.
Patriarch and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, The Desire of Ages, The Acts of the Apostles, and The Great Controversy are excellent source books.
There are many Bible History books
Immediate Context
PRACTICAL TIPS:
A text should be compared with the immediate surrounding verses that are in the same chapter.
The original meaning of a text is guided by the theme of the chapter.
Look for a developing concept within the chapter.
Look for any indications of conclusion within the same chapter.
The Larger Context
“The larger context refers to what other texts beyond the immediate passage have to say on a particular topic. It can refer to other chapters in a book, the whole book, or to the whole of Scripture.” SSL p. 93
PRACTICAL TIPS:
Before examining the larger context, make sure you understand the immediate context first.
Observe the previous chapters and the following chapters.
Read the whole book several times to grasp the theme of the book.
Compare with other books that are written by the same author if there is any.
Compare with other books that are written around the same time.
Then compare with the rest of the Bible.
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