“Exegesis.”
Unless you have studied the Bible academically or have a degree in Literature, it’s likely a word you have never heard before. When I was in Bible college, an underclassman in my dorm once asked, “I know who Jesus is. My professors keep talking about ‘exegesis.’ Who is that?” Exegesis, in fact, is not Jesus’ evil twin. It’s the process we use to determine much of what we know about the Bible and ultimately, God.
Exegesis is defined as, “Critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of Scripture.” The word comes from two Greek words, ex, meaning “out of,” and hegeisthai, or “to lead or guide.” So the word more literally means “to lead or guide out of.” When talking about the Bible, exegesis implies drawing meaning out of the text. This is contrary to ‘eisegesis,’ which is defined as, “The interpretation of a word or passage by reading into it one’s own ideas.”
Biblical interpreters--or those who practice the process of exegesis--ask the question, “What was the author’s intended meaning in this portion of the Bible?” They study grammar and original languages, such as Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew, to determine what the author is saying. They analyze genre and structure along with historical background and literary context to discern why the author is saying it. They also consider the theological implications of a biblical text to determine its significance. All of this is done so we know how to apply these ancient texts to modern life.
If this sounds overwhelming or boring to you, here’s an easy and helpful tip: context is king. That’s the first rule of exegesis. If you want to know the meaning of a Bible verse, read the verses around it. Sometimes you might need to read the whole chapter or more. This will often clarify the meaning of the verse you are investigating. For example, Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Does this mean that I can become the strongest man on earth? Definitely not. Does it mean that I can overcome any challenge? Probably not. In the previous verse, the apostle Paul, the author of Philippians, mentions suffering. In context, Paul is saying that we can overcome any suffering because of Christ.
If you are interested in improving your exegetical skills, there are several helpful tools. I highly recommend How To Read The Bible by Michael DeFazio, a free video resource on YouTube available through Ozark Christian College’s Next Level.
As you consider the importance of diving into the Bible in this way, I leave you with Paul’s words to his mentee, Timothy, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”