Exegesis or eisegesis? These may be words you do not know if you haven’t been to seminary, and that’s OK. But what they stand for is very, very important in accurate Bible preaching and teaching. They are Greek words which describe two opposite ways of interpreting a Bible passage. Exegesis refers to learning the meaning of a passage from the words used by the writer. Eisegesis refers to trying to make a Bible passage say something it doesn’t really say by forcing another meaning into it. Please read carefully and listen to what I have to say in this blog because it is very important.
Words have meanings. Their meanings are understood and accepted by those who speak the language. To know what a person is saying we must be able to understand the words he uses. When someone changes the meaning of a word, or adds to it, making it mean something it wasn’t meant to mean, true communication breaks down. There can be no truth without words to describe and define it. Let’s look at an example.
Many today use Jesus’ words, “Don’t judge” (Matthew 7:1-2) to support approval of sex outside marriage, adultery, immorality, homosexuality, abortion or any lifestyle or action that differs from the Bible. They say that when we apply Bible absolutes to others it is “judging” them and is forbidden by God. But a careful study of the whole passage shows clearly that Jesus was not saying that at all. He was talking about an attitude of pride in those who feel superior to others based on outer actions. Ironically, that is what those who misapply this verse do to those who apply it in it’s limited Biblical use. A Bible verse only means one thing, what the original write was conveying to those to whom he was writing. It must be interpreted in the context of the whole passage and rest of the Bible. That’s exegesis. (For more about how to interpret the Bible see my book “Studying the Bible” at CTOtraining.org, Training Materials. My book “Preaching and Teaching” is also there. Or you can email me at Jerry@Schmoyer.net and I’ll send you a PDF of the books.)
What often happens today is that people, including pastors, have something they believe is right and true. In order to get support for it they look for a Bible passage that they can use to support it, even if that isn’t the normally accepted interpretation of the verse. That’s eisegesis. To keep from taking a stand for truth they use “love your neighbor” and interpret it to mean we must show acceptance of any and every belief or action. The truth is that real love is better shown by warning of danger and error.
Those looking for a way to support prosperity teaching look for verses that can be taken out of context and made to mean what they want. These include Bible verses that talk about God supplying all our needs, God providing for widows and orphans, “I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1), provision for the Jews in the wilderness, etc. They pick a topic they feel strongly about. Next they decide what they think should be true about it. Then they look for a Bible verse to use to support it. Unfortunately, pastors do this to support their pet ideas about finances, leadership privileges, church government, Bible doctrines and many other things. That’s another reason why it’s so much better to preach through a chapter or a book instead of picking a subject and looking for verses to support it.
Even if what you believe is true and Biblical, if you use a passage that doesn’t really teach that truth, if you ‘eisegete’ by reading it into the passage and make the passage support that truth, you are in error and doing the text and your people a disservice. Do not be casual or careless in handling the eternal Word of God. Do not be sloppy or lazy in your study and interpretation of it. Feed your people top quality nourishment, well prepared and attractively served – just like you expect your wife to feed you!
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Think of someone who does excellent exegesis for his sermons. What can you learn from them?
Would God say you do your very best to “correctly handle the word of truth”?
How often do you rush your sermon preparation and have a message that could have been a lot better?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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