by George Keralis
With every field of study or trade, we encounter new vocabulary defined by our field. As we prepare to preach sermons, we encounter the words exegetical (adjective), exegete (verb) and exegesis (noun). Exegesis means to take something out of something else. In sermon preparation, we take our ideas for our sermons directly out of the Word of God using them to build a sermon.
As students of the Word, we tend to think of exegesis only as a task relating to the study and teaching/preaching of the Scriptures. Taking lessons out of the Word of God, we are not reading lessons or ideas into the Word. We are not asking the question, “What does it mean to me?” We are asking the question, “What does the text mean?” What did the text mean to those who first read it? How did they apply it to their situations? Then we ask the question, “How does this apply to my situation?” Reading things into the Word of God is known as “eisegesis.”
In self-exegesis, we are looking at ourselves, taking thoughts, ideas, events, backgrounds, gender, age and other influencers out of ourselves to examine them. We are, in effect, “taking every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5) so that we see how those thoughts influence our understanding of God’s Word.
As we teach or preach the Word of God, we do so on His behalf (1 Peter 4:11; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Our goal is to rightly handle the Word of truth and communicate that truth in such a way that our audience hears, understands and obeys (2 Timothy 3:16). We must rightly handle the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Our thoughts, ideas, events, backgrounds, gender, age and other influencers determine how we handle God’s Word.
We are the messengers, not the Message (2 Corinthians 4:5; 5:20; 2:17). The Word of God is the Message (1 John 1:1-3; Galatians 1:8-9). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Message (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). We are the messengers.
As messengers, we must be aware of biases and prejudices we bring to the message. The message flows through us as water flows through a pipe. As the water moves through the pipe, it picks up sediment previously deposited by other flows. That sediment appears in the water when it comes out of the spicket unless we filter the water. Even with the best filtering systems, we cannot remove all the elements, chemicals, bacteria and sediment found in the water.
As the message of God’s Word flows through us, what sediment is it picking up along the way? What events, ideas, genetic traits or teachings influence our understanding of the Word of God and our presentation of the Word of God? What filters are we using to eliminate anything that may taint the Word of God? As teachers and preachers, we cannot ignore these influential sediments in our research and presentation.
Please, take time to reflect upon the questions and comments that follow. This list is not comprehensive, but it will aid you as you start your journey into biblical exegesis. Become acutely aware of what influences you and your preaching. You may access the questions at Thoughts to Guide You as You Exegete Yourself. Enjoy the journey.
What other ideas would you suggest that could be used in self-exegesis? What ideas or concerns do you have that you would like to see this blog address? We would love to hear from you.
As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friends — Solomon
