GENERAL HERMENEUTICS

I NTRODUCTION TO B IBLE S TUDY AND I NTERPRETATION

LITERARY STUDIES
I. C O N T E X T
A. Canonical Context
B. Book Context
C. Section context
D. Paragraph Context
II. L I T E R A R Y G E N R E
A. Prose
2. Poetry
C. Narrative
4. Wisdom
5. Apocalyptic
III. A U T H O R ’ S P U R P O S E
A. Problem – Solution
B. Finding the Purpose
GRAMMATICAL STUDIES
IV. S Y N T A C T I C A L A N A L Y S I S
A. Topic Sentence
B. Supporting Sentences
C. Paragraph Connections
V. V O C A B U L A R Y A N A L Y S I S
A. Key Questions
B. Meaning in Context
C. Cultural Terms
D. Figurative Terms
E. Parallel Texts
F. Theological Terms
[Historical, Geographical and Cultural Studies]
CONCEPTUAL STUDIES
VI. A R G U M E N T A N D S O L U T I O N S
A. Argument
B. Author’s Solution
VII. T H E O L O G I C A L A N A L Y S I S
A. Theological Principles
B. Key Questions
C. Principlization
D. Sermon/Lesson Preparation
PRACTICAL STUDIES
VIII. A P P L I C A T I O N
A. Spiritual Response
B. Commands
C. Examples
D. Promises
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I. C O N T E X T
Rule 1: Interpret everything according to its context. (Context: “All relationships
between all elements of the book.”)

A. Canonical context – Every book is interpreted according to the whole Bible.

1. What relationship does this book have to the whole Bible?
a. What is its place in the canon? (See OT/ NT Survey)
b. To what period of salvation history do the events in the book belong?
c. When did the events of the book happen/when was the book written?

B. Book context – Sections of a book are interpreted according to the whole book.
2. What is the structure of the book (outline, major sections)?
3. What is the theme of the book?
4. How do the main sections of the book contribute to the author’s
general plan?
C. Section context – Paragraphs of a section are interpreted according to the
section.
5. What are the paragraphs of the section to be studied?
6. What are the topics of the paragraphs?
7. How do the paragraphs develop the author’s theme in the section?
D. Paragraph Context – Every sentence is interpreted according to its paragraph.
(Paragraphs will be studied in “Syntactical Analysis“.)

CONTEXT CHART
Bible (Canon)

Book

Section

Paragraph

Sentence
(verse)

The context of a Verse is a Paragraph Detailed

The context of a Paragraph is a Section 
The context of a Section is a Book 
The context of a Book is the Bible General
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II. L I T E R A R Y G E N R E
Rule 2: Interpret everything according to its literary genre. (The books of the Bible
were written according to the literary rules that were in use at the time of writing.)

Questions:
1. What is the literary genre of the book?
2. What can we learn from the genre of the book?
A. Prose
1. Normal conversation language; no secret meanings; words are interpreted
literally
2. Sub groups:
a. Descriptive – describe events (See “narrative” below)
b. Explanatory – exposition of topics (letters)
c. Emotional – stirs up emotions (speeches/conversations)
d. Argument – written to convince (letters)
3. Genre most used in the Bible. Examples: OT History books, Gospels, Letters

2. Poetry
1. 1/3 of OT
2. Parallelism – conceptual or grammatical (Ps.2.4; Prov.15.1; Ps.1.2)
3. Examples: Psalms, Prophets, some in NT

3. Narrative
1. Describes events (Sub-group of Prose)
2. Words and actions give the meaning.
3. Order of events in the book is important.
4. Author uses selectivity.
5. The climax or turning point give the meaning.
6. Author’s viewpoint is important.
7. The theological message is the main point of the event.
8. Examples: OT History books, Acts

4. Wisdom
1. Philosophical and conceptual – long books (Job, Ecclesiastes)
2. Practical wisdom – short books (Proverbs, Sermon on the Mount)
3. Sayings are not promises, but generalities

5. Apocalyptic
1. Full of symbols
2. Stylized sayings
3. Angels speak with men
4. Universal disasters
5. Nature and nations change fundamentally.
6. The kingdom of God is on the point of fulfillment.
7. Examples: Revelation, Daniel
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III. A U T H O R ’ S P U R P O S E
Rule 3: Everything is interpreted according to the author’s main and supplementary
purposes.
A. Problem – Solution:
1. What is the author’s purpose in the book? (What problem or need is
addressed?)
2. The solution the author solves reflects the structure and main theme of the
book.
3. Examples:
Problem Solution
• Wrong ideas, false teaching  Teaching [Galatians]
• Sinful behavior  Rebuke/correction [1.Corinthians]
• Ignorance of practical matters  Instruction/directives [James]
• Coming to faith  Reasons to believe [John]
• Motivational problems  Exhortation/warning [Hebrews]

B. Main Purpose
1. To know something
2. To believe something
3. To do something (2.Tim.3.16-17)
C. Section and Supplemental Purposes
1. What is the purpose of each section and paragraph?
2. What are the secondary purposes of the book?
D. Finding the Author’s Purpose:
1. The author states his purpose plainly (introduction, conclusion or in the book).
• Ecclesiastes 12.13
• Luke 1.1-4
• 1 John 5.13
• John 20.30-31
2. From the sections of exhortation and application – flow from the purpose.
• Heb. 2.1-4; 3.7-4.13; 5.11-6.20; 10.19-39; 12.1-29
• Phil. 1.27-2.4; 2.12-16; 4.2-9
3. Personal comments about the readers (Philemon, Philippians)
4. Book’s structure or choice and order of events.
• Gen.1-11 Beginnings  Gen. 12-25 Abraham (Beginning of Israel)
• Ex.1-20 Israel’s Escape from Egypt (Beginning of the nation of Israel)
5. Grammatical clues (make the author’s purpose plainer):
• Topic sentences of paragraphs
• Topics of sections
• Connections between sections and paragraphs
• Summaries (Heb.8.1)
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6. The author’s purpose is the purpose of the Holy Spirit. We must use the Bible
according to the purpose of the Holy Spirit.
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IV. S Y N T A C T I C A L A N A L Y S I S
Rule 4: Everything is interpreted according to the syntax used by the author.

A. Paragraph Characteristics
1. Only one topic is explained or developed in one paragraph.
2. The paragraphs of a section develop the message of that section.

B. Topic Sentence – States the theme of the paragraph

1. What is the theme of the paragraph?
2. What is the topic sentence of the paragraph? (What did the author say about
the theme?)

C. Supporting Sentences – Develop the theme of the paragraph

1. What are the supporting sentences of the paragraph?
2. How do the supporting sentences develop the theme?
3. How are the supporting sentences connected to the topic sentence?

D. Paragraph Connection
1. How are the paragraphs connected to one another? (Relationships
between
ideas)
a. Historical – truths or events connected to one another (historical books)
b. Theological – a truth connected to a historical event (the Exodus)
c. Logical – links in the author’s train of thought (letters)
d. Chain – repetition of a word (Jas.1)

Note: In order to identify the author’s “topic sentence” it may be necessary to

different words drawn from the supporting information or create (“synthesize”) a
sentence from the information in the paragraph.
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SYNTACTICAL ANALYSIS: LETTER OF JUDE

STAGE 1: Identify the topic sentence of each paragraph:

[Book’s main theme: CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH…]
PARAGRAPH 1 (3-16): Certain persons have crept in unnoticed.
PARAGRAPH 2 (17-23): Keep yourselves in the love of God.

STAGE 2: Identify the supporting sentences (general):

PARAGRAPH 1 (3-16) Certain persons have crept in unnoticed.
1. The Lord destroyed (three examples)
2. These men also…defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic
majesties.

PARAGRAPH 2 (17-23) Keep yourselves in the love of God.

1. Remember…
2. How to keep yourselves
3. (How to behave to false teachers and those deceived by them)

STAGE 3: Identify the links within the paragraph. […]

PARAGRAPH 1
MAIN THEME: CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS
[I felt the necessity to write – reason for writing]
1. Certain ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed [because – reason for call]
[Marked out for this condemnation – to be explained below]
[I desire to remind you – giving definite examples]
2. (Such men) The Lord destroyed [3 examples]
[These men – comparison, emphasis]
4. These men also…defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic
majesties.
[Repetition]
[These] revile…Michael the archangel…did not do [not revile]
[These] [3 more examples of the danger they bring]
[About these] Enoch…prophesied [using previous revelation]
[These men]: [Definite sins listed]

PARAGRAPH 2
[But you – comparison]
1. Remember: " In the last time…”
[But you – comparison]
2. Keep yourselves in the love of God.
[Some]
3. (How to behave to false teachers and those deceived by them.)
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V. V O C A B U L A R Y A N A L Y S I S
Rule 5: The author’s words are interpreted according to their use in the context in
which they are found.

A. Key Questions
1. What are the most important words the author used?
2. How can those words be classified?
3. What is the meaning of the word as the author used it in the context
being studied?

B. Meaning in Context
1. How is the word used in the same text, by the same author, in the same age?
(Priest)
2. Is the word used in a parallel text? (Romans: law)
3. Has the word been commented on by the author? (Jn.2.19-21; Heb.5.14)
4. What is the grammatical form of the word (noun, verb, adjective...)?
5. Is some comparison made in the context? (John)

C. Cultural Terms
1. Learned by continual reading.
2. Make a word list

D. Figurative terms
1. Metaphor/parable [comparison] (Ps.1.3; 18.31)
2. Parallelism

E. Parallel Texts
1. Parallel in terms (Jude and 2.Petrus)
2. Parallel topics (Gospels)

F. Theological Terms (Especially about Christ and salvation)

1. Used in previously written texts and contexts.
2. Learned by continual reading and time.

NOTE: Because it is nearly impossible to study the original languages it would be

helpful to read from more that one translation.
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VI. A R G U M E N T AND SOLUTIONS

Rule 6: Everything is interpreted according to the author’s train of thought use in
solving the problem in hand.

A. Characteristics of Argument
1. The author ordered his thoughts according to the problem he was solving.
The Holy Spirit inspired the train of thought of the book. (We need to
understand the Bible according to the logic used by the Holy Spirit)
2. Every argument comprises more than one thought.
3. Basically two forms of logic are employed:
a. Inductive (begins with details and leads to a conclusion – Jn.20.31)
b. Deductive (begins with general principles and proves them with details
– Ac.1.8)

B. Train of Thought
1. What is the author’s train of thought? (How did he order his thoughts?)
a. Where does the train of thought begin?
b. How does it continue?

C. Author’s Solution
1. What solution does the author offer? (know, believe, do)
2. What are the author’s reasons or proofs? (problem solving method)
3. Does the author present any new problems or other topics to be studied?
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VII. T H E O L O G I C A L A N A L Y S I S
Rule 7: Everything is interpreted according to the unity, authority and abiding
principles of the Bible.

 STOP: D O NOT BEGIN THE THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS UNTIL ALL LITERARY AND GRAMMATICAL

STUDIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED!

THE BIBLE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD THEOLOGICALLY
UNTIL IT IS UNDERSTOOD GRAMMATICALLY .
A. Theological Principles
1. Unity of Scripture: It does not contradict itself. [Interpretation must not
contradict clear truths of Scripture.]
2. Authority of Scripture: Scripture interprets Scripture. [Passages are interpreted
in the light of the whole Bible. Acts17.11.]
3. Main theme of Scripture: Christ and Salvation [We study not merely to
increase knowledge but to experience our salvation. Lk.24.25-27; Jn.5.39]
4. Leading Player of Scripture: Our Savor God [Father, Son, Holy Spirit]
5. Revelation developing in history: Written as salvation developed in history.
6. All our interpretation must come from the passage itself. (No surveys allowed)
B. Key Questions
1. What are the clear and implied theological statements?
2. What are the general principles in the passage? (See “Principalization”)
3. What contribution does the passage make to our understanding of Christ and
salvation? (And Christian living)
4. What contribution does the passage make to other topics?
C. Principlization – How to derive the main principles? (Example: Dt.22.1-4)
1. What did the original readers understand from the passage?
2. What is the principle explained in its original setting?
3. To what situations can the principle be applied?
4. Check the principle with other passages of Scripture.
D. Sermon (Lesson) Preparation
1. Topic of passage will be topic of sermon (according to the author’s purpose).
2. The message the passage will be the sermon’s statement (topic statement).
3. The sermon’s sub points will be drawn from supporting statements.
4. The points of the sermon will be ordered according to the train of thought.
5. The passage’s theological statements will be explained (principles)
6. Principles will be applied (See next page.)
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VIII. A P P L I C A T I O N : S P I R I T U A L R E S P O N S E
Rule 8: Your interpretation must always be applied to your personal life and to the
church.

NOTE: Explanations and applications must come from the Scriptures, not personal
opinion.

A. The Greatest Response: LOVE (Mt.22.34-40)

B. Practical (Applied) Theology – What must I do? (2.Tim.3.16-17)
1. Teaching: know and believe.
2. Reproof: recognize sin and confess.
3. Correction: repent from sin and begin new obedience.
4. Training in righteousness: Disciplined and ordered training to live
pleasing to God.

B. Commands: Is there a command for me to obey?

1. Some NT commands do not need modernizing because we are living in the
same time period. (“last days”; Jude 17-20)
2. Commands that reflect OT culture need converting to our present culture.
(Jn.13.12-15)
3. Personal commands cannot be applied to others. (Gen.22.1-2)

C. Examples: Is there an example for me to follow?

1. Learn the difference between what Scripture reports and what it approves of.
2. If Scripture makes a definite evaluation of a certain event, that statement can
be directly applied. (Jn.12.1-8; Gal.2.11-14)
3. Identify the important spiritual principles of those whose lives appear in
Scripture.
D. Promises: Is there a promise I am to believe?
1. Is the promise general? (Rom.10.13)
2. Is the promise personal? Personal promises cannot be applied to everyone.
(Josh. 1.2-3; Jn.21.18-19)
3. Is the promise conditional? (Mat.7.7; Jn.15.7)
4. Is the promise for our age? (2.Chr.7.14)
5. Is the promise culturally conditioned? (Jn.13.12-15)
E. Final Question: Is there something for me to know, repent of, begin to do or do in
an orderly and regular way?
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SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS
I. C O N T E X T
1. What relationship does this book have to the whole Bible?
2. What is the structure of the book (outline, major sections)?
3. What is the theme of the book?
4. How do the main sections of the book contribute to the author’s general plan?
5. What are the paragraphs of the section?
6. What are the topics of the paragraphs?
7. How do the paragraphs develop the author’s theme in the section?
II. L I T E R A R Y G E N R E
1. What is the literary genre of the book?
2. What can we learn from the genre of the book?
III. A U T H O R ’ S P U R P O S E
1. What is the author’s purpose in the book? (What problem or need is addressed?)
2. What is the purpose of each section and paragraph?
3. What might be the author’s auxiliary purposes?
IV. S Y N T A C T I C A L A N A L Y S I S
1. What is the topic of the paragraph?
2. What is the topic sentence of the paragraph?
3. What are the supporting sentences of the paragraph?
4. How do the supporting sentences develop the theme of the paragraph?
5. How are the supporting sentences linked to the topic sentence?
6. Are the paragraphs linked to each other?
V. Vocabulary Analysis
1. What are the most important terms in the passage?
2. How can these terms be classified?
3. What do the words mean as used in the context of the passage?
VI. A R G U M E N T AND SOLUTIONS

1. What is the author’s train of thought? (How did he order his thoughts?)
a. How does his argument begin?
b. How does it continue?
2. What solution does the author offer?
3. What are the author’s reasons and proofs?
4. Does the author present any new problems or other topics to be studied?
VII. T H E O L O G I C A L A N A L Y S I S
1. What am I to understand from this passage?
2. What are the theological statements of the passage?
3. What general principles can be derived from the passage?
4. What does the passage teach about Christ and salvation?
VIII. A P P L I C A T I O N
1. Is there some command I am to obey?
2. Is there an example or warning I am to learn from?
3. Is there a promise I am to believe?
4. Is there something for me to know, repent of, begin to do, or do in an orderly and regular
way?