Literary Context – Part 1
Exegesis, Hermeneutics and Bible Interpretation
Introduction
Welcome to Lesson 3.1 of your free online Bible Interpretation Course.
In this lesson we want to touch on Step #2 in our Bible interpretation process: The Literary Context. This lesson will be split in two parts.
Introducing the Literary Context
Understanding the literary context of a particular passage can happen on several levels:
- How does my passage fit into the overall framework of a whole book?
- Do the themes within my passage appear anywhere within the same book?
- How is my passage related to the text that comes before and after
My passage in the overall framework
Let’s say that we are interested in studying Gen 40:1-23. This is the story where Joseph interprets dreams for Pharaoh’s baker and cup bearer.
- The literary context would determine that this particular story fits within a larger narrative of Joseph’s time in Egypt after he was sold into slavery but before he rose to prominence (Gen 37:1-40:23).
- But Joseph’s being sold into slavery is in itself part of a larger narrative of how God used Joseph to bless his people (Gen 37 and 39-50).
- Joseph’s story is part of the story of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph as God began to form a people to call his own starting with the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12-50).
- The story of the patriarchs is the second division of the book of Genesis, as the first part tells of the creation, fall and destruction and renewal of mankind (Gen 1-11).
Studying the literary context of a passage helps us to place our passage within a much larger narrative framework. This helps us to avoid interpreting our passage out of context or in an isolated manner. The surrounding framework may also add some interpretive insights.
An Example from the New Testament
Here’s another example of literary context within the New Testament showing how a passage fits into the overall framework of a book.
- Col 3:18-21 provides moral exhortations connected to a Christian’s domestic life. It provides instructions for wives, husbands, fathers and children.
- These moral exhortations form part of a larger code of ethics known as the “household code.” Here, Paul touches on obligations connected to marriage, family and society of that time period (Col 3:18-4:1.
- The “household code” forms part of Paul’s wider instructions on how to live life “in Christ” (Col 3:1 – 4:6).
- Paul’s wider instructions form part of a larger section of ethical teachings (Col 2:6-4:6). The other part of this teaching speaks to avoiding “legalism” in Christ (Col 2:6-23).
- Finally, Paul’s ethical teachings flow from his doctrine of the supremacy of Christ in every aspect (Col 1:15-2:5)
An Example of Repeating Themes
As mentioned earlier, another example of literary context has to do with connections to my passage that appear in other parts of the book.
It is essentially looking for similar themes to my passage in other parts of the book to see what interpretive insights they might be able to provide.
One of the best examples of this is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
In this section, Paul touches on the Second Coming of Christ as part of his encouragement to believers who had lost loved ones in the church.
However, a cursory reading of 1 Thessalonians reveals that the Second Coming of Christ is found in every chapter of this book. (1 Thess 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18, 5:2, 4-9, 23).
We would thus want to take a peek at those text to see what additional insights they might reveal about the text we are studying. (For example, “the wrath of God” is mentioned a few times in connection with the Lord’s coming.)
Conclusion
When studying the literary context our first goal is to try to fit our passage within a larger narrative framework. This helps us avoid out-of-context or isolated interpretations.
Secondly, studying the literary context may help us see how themes found in our specific passage can be repeated and picked up in other parts of the book. These other texts may provide additional insights or details that will help in the interpretation of our specific passage.