Contextual Understanding in Biblical Interpretation and Original Intent
Understanding Context and Original Intent in Biblical Interpretation
The concept of understanding in biblical interpretation is deeply rooted in the scriptures themselves. Proverbs 1:2 highlights the importance of "know[ing] wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding" [1]. This emphasis on comprehension is echoed throughout the biblical texts, underscoring the significance of grasping the original intent behind the scriptures.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul's writings often touch on the theme of understanding. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 14:13, the importance of interpretation is stressed, with Adam Clarke commenting that one should "pray that he may interpret" the prophetic declarations, indicating a need for divine guidance in understanding [2]. Similarly, in Philippians 1:16, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that some preached Christ "out of contention," highlighting the complexities of interpreting motivations and actions within a biblical context [3].
The concept of understanding is closely tied to the idea of perceiving the "mystery of Christ," as seen in Ephesians 3:4, where the ability to "understand my knowledge" is linked to reading and perceiving the mysteries revealed in the Epistle [4]. This connection between reading, understanding, and spiritual insight is a recurring theme in biblical interpretation.
In Proverbs 2:5, the act of understanding is associated with "find[ing]" or obtaining wisdom, with Jamieson, Fausset & Brown translating "understand" as "perceive intelligently" [5]. This intelligent perception is not limited to intellectual comprehension but encompasses a deeper spiritual understanding.
The importance of maturity in understanding is emphasized in 1 Corinthians 14:20, where believers are exhorted to be "children in understanding" no more but to be "men" or full-grown in their comprehension, highlighting the need for spiritual maturity in interpreting biblical teachings [6].
John Gill's commentary on Job 12:2 underscores that understanding is a gift, noting that Job possesses "understanding as well as" his friends, both natural and spiritual, which enables him to comprehend divine and natural things [7].
The preparation of the heart for receiving God's message is another crucial aspect of understanding in biblical interpretation. Ezekiel 3:10 illustrates this, with Jamieson, Fausset & Brown noting that receiving God's words "in . . . heart . . . ears" involves a transposition from the natural order, emphasizing the need for heart preparation before reception with the ears [8].
The various traditions represented in the sources highlight the multifaceted nature of understanding in biblical interpretation. While the Presbyterian, Methodist/Wesleyan, Baptist/Reformed, and Jewish (Rabbinic) traditions may approach the concept of understanding from different angles, they collectively underscore its significance in grasping the original intent and context of the scriptures.
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 1:2 (KJV) — To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14:13: Pray that he may interpret - Let him who speaks or reads the prophetic declarations in the Old Testament, in that tongue in which they were originally spoken and written, pray to God that he may so understand them himself, and receive the gift of interpretation, that he may be able to explain them in all their depth and latitude to others.”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:16: The oldest manuscripts transpose these verses, and read, "These (last) indeed out of love (to Christ and me), knowing (the opposite of 'thinking' below) that I am set (that is, appointed by God, Th1 3:3) for the defense of the Gospel (Phi 1:7, not on my own account). But the others out of contention (or rather, 'a factious spirit'; 'cabal'; a spirit of intrigue, using unscrupulous means to compass their end; 'self-seeking' [ALFORD]) proclaim (the Greek is not the same as that for 'preach,' but, 'announce') Christ, not sincerely (answering to 'but ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:4: understand my knowledge--"perceive my understanding" [ALFORD], or "intelligence." "When ye read," implies that, deep as are the mysteries of this Epistle, the way for all to understand them is to read it (Ti2 3:15-16). By perceiving his understanding of the mysteries, they, too, will be enabled to understand. the mystery of Christ--The "mystery" is Christ Himself, once hidden, but now revealed (Col 1:27).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 2:5: understand--or, "perceive intelligently." find--obtain.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:20: Brethren--an appellation calculated to conciliate their favorable reception of his exhortation. children in understanding--as preference of gifts abused to nonedification would make you (compare Co1 3:1; Mat 10:16; Rom 16:19; Eph 4:14). The Greek for "understanding" expresses the will of one's spirit, Rom 8:6 (it is not found elsewhere); as the "heart" is the will of the "soul." The same Greek is used for "minded" in Rom 8:6. men--full-grown. Be childlike, not childish.”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 12:2: But I have understanding as well as you,.... A natural understanding, or an understanding of natural things, which distinguishes a man from a brute; and a spiritual understanding, an understanding enlightened by the spirit of God, which is naturally dark as to divine things; but he had an understanding given him, to know himself, his state and condition by nature; to know God, his love and grace to men, and, as his covenant God, to know Christ his living Redeemer, who should stand on the earth in the latter day, both to be his Redeemer and his Judge; to know his interest”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 3:10: receive in . . . heart . . . ears--The transposition from the natural order, namely, first receiving with the ears, then in the heart, is designed. The preparation of the heart for God's message should precede the reception of it with the ears (compare Pro 16:1; Psa 10:17).”