3: The Question of LanguageHermeneutics 1

THE PHILOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE

Philology: Study of Language

1. Ordinary rules for interpreting literature apply to the Bible.

2. A knowledge of biblical languages is important for exegesis.

LITERAL INTERPRETATION

“Taking words in their usual meaning without exaggeration or imagination.”

• As used in ordinary conversation.• Literal Meaning = Judge for ALL other

meanings.• Non-literal = Allegory, Metaphorical,

Mystical.

LITERAL INTERPRETATION

“Eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood” (John 6:53)

• Does not imply cannibalism.

• “A passage may sometimes have a nonliteral meaning, but will always have a literal meaning.”

LITERAL INTERPRETATION & INSPIRATION

• Verbal inspiration does not dictate literal interpretation.

• Verbal inspiration has to do with the origin and authorship.

• Literal interpretation has to do with language.

ETYMOLOGY: THE STUDY OF WORDS

• The Root Meaning of a Word.• Example: Philosophy (philos + sophia)• Meaning: “The love of wisdom”

• Condemnation: with + damnation– Katadrima: according + judgment

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WORDS

• Different ways words are used in Scripture.

• Krino means “judge”• “And if someone wants to sue you…”• “Do not judge or you too will be…”• “Why don’t you judge for yourselves…”• “…I am on trial before you today.”

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WORDS

• Some English words are used to translate different Greek words.

• The English word “Judge” is used for:– Krino: “final judgment”– Anakrino: “preliminary judgment”– Diakrino: “discern”

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WORDS

“The spiritual man makes judgments about all things…” (preliminary)

“I care very little if I am judged…” (preliminary)

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time…” (final)

CULTURAL STUDY OF WORDS

The meaning of the word in its primary historical setting.

“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Matthew 5:41

ANCIENT TRANSLATIONS

Develops an understanding of how those historically and culturally “closer” to the original text understood words used in the Bible.

THE STUDY OF GRAMMAR

The Makeup of a Language

Analytical: Word order is very important (English & Hebrew)

Synthetic: Word endings or case endings are more important (Greek)

CONTEXT

• What proceeds and follows a word, statement or passage.

• Words and verses taken out of context are being assigned meanings which were not originally intended.

CONTEXT

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? (1 Cor 3:16)

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you.” (1 Cor 6:19)

Context: the Body of Christ

Context: a Person’s Body