Understanding the 40 Parables of Jesus Christ: Learn from the greatest teacher Jesus Christ. The gospel taught in stories.

Do you understand the Bible?


Importance of Context in Understanding Meaning

Jesus Christ Messiah-of-God.com

Reading scripture in context is essential to understanding the Bible. When people misuse or misunderstand Bible verses, it is often because they are reading the verse by itself without considering what was said before and after the verse.

In addition, it is important to understand verses in the context of the entire Bible. The Bible does not contradict itself, yet sometimes people uses verses out-of-context to support opinions that actually oppose the Bible.

The best way to understand this concept is to consider an example.

Context Example: Connection of Sin and Illness

For example, in John 5:14, Jesus says to a man he has healed, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you."

Based on this verse alone, it appears that Jesus is teaching that this man's sickness and tragedy are caused by sin, which is why Jesus tells this man to not sin. However, in this context, Jesus is not really teaching anyone; rather, he is giving this man specific instructions on how to behave now that he has been healed.

Now we need to consider, does Jesus teach about this subject elsewhere?

In John 9:1-3 it says, "As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' [Jesus answered] 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'"

In this context of John 9, his disciples ask him a specific question regarding the connection between sin and illness, to which Jesus responds with a teaching of 'illness is not always caused by sin.'

Furthermore, in Luke 13:2-4 his disciples again ask Jesus a question regarding the connection between suffering and sin, to which Jesus responds, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."



Illness Not Always Caused by Sin

With these two teachings in John 9 and Luke 13 taken into consideration, we can more clearly see that Jesus is telling this man in John 5 what he has essentially told the people of Jerusalem in Luke 13, "But unless you repent, you too will all perish" or more specifically to this man he has healed 'You have repented; now do not sin anymore so that you do not perish.'

Another example to consider is the book of Job, where a righteous man (Job) experiences tragedy even though he has not sinned.

These are just two of many examples that could be used to illustrate this point that context is essential to understanding meaning. Without context, verses can be used to support almost anything.

The letter of Romans is especially misinterpreted - people use verses in Romans to support beliefs that Paul himself opposes in the same letter!


Enjoy this message? Subscribe to Weekly Sermon to receive an educational message every week.


← Back to Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Do You Understand the Bible?

Go to Messiah of God Home

Understanding the 40 Parables of Jesus Christ: Learn from the greatest teacher Jesus Christ. The gospel taught in stories.

Like and Share this Page


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  1. Biology of Cell confirms Intelligent Design: Irreducible Complexity

    The complex biology of the ‘basic cell’ exhibits what has been termed ‘irreducible complexity’ by biochemist Michael Behe, due to the fact that removing even...

    Read More

  2. What is love? It's a call to action.

    Ben-Byrum_1-04-2022.jpg
    What is love? It's a call to action. Guest post by Ben Byrum.

    Read More

  3. Miraculous Physical Healing Explains Salvation: The Truth of Jesus’ Salvation

    If you have stage 4 pancreatic cancer, then with current medical technology you have likely not been given any hope for getting better. Your cancer is terminal. In fact, with many diseases...

    Read More

  4. Does Science Argue For or Against God?

    swiss-watch
    Probability of the Universe Existing in Coin Flips: Flipping a coin has a 50/50 chance of heads vs tails. How many times do you think you could flip heads in a row with a 50/50 chance?

    Read More

  5. Man Finds Single Ominous Bible Page in Wildfire Aftermath

    Dollywood-TN-Tennessee-Wildfires-Bible-Page-Burnt-Joel
    Wildfires in Tennessee have temporarily displaced thousands of people fleeing from the destruction. Over 100 homes have been destroyed, as well as hotels and businesses. Thus far, seven people...

    Read More

  6. How to Obey God's Will

    Obeying God's will is actually more simple than it seems. The truth is that some actions are good (holy), some actions are bad (sinful), and the majority of actions are completely neutral...

    Read More

  7. Doubting After God Answers Your Prayers

    Having God answer your prayers can result in overwhelming feelings of joy, relief, and thankfulness. However, sometimes doubt of God's intervention can appear and begin to steal your confidence...

    Read More

  8. How to Prove God Exists

    For unbelievers, there are only a few ways to prove that God exists, depending on how willing they are to accept God's existence. For unbelievers who are...

    Read More

  9. The Lie of Sanctification

    Sanctification is a widely accepted belief that bridges the gap between the biblical mandate for obedience to God and the practical application of living a Christian life as...

    Read More

  10. God's Definition of Perfect

    "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." One of the problems with modern Christianity is the mainstream concept that "It is impossible to be perfect."

    Read More