1. What is Hermeneutics?

Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation. In our study we will be applying the term specifically to Scripture, the practice of which is generally called exegesis, which we will discuss later in this study. It is vitally important that the committed Bible student have the proper approach to Bible study if he is to truly understand and follow the will of the Father recorded in the Scriptures.

2. Why Hermeneutics?

It is the responsibility of every man to know and obey the will of the Father. We can clearly read this in Eccl. 12:13-14 which states,

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

It is not the practice of the omnipotent God to adjust Himself to the will of man. He expects man to do the adjusting. Scripture is filled with examples, some of which we will study, that demonstrate God wants us to do things His way and only His way. Any change or deviancy is unacceptable in His sight. In fact, not only are there multiple examples demonstrating this, there are multiple commands and statements of fact that demand our submission to His will.

In Matt. 15:7-9 we find that there are those whose worship is vain because they teach man’s doctrines rather than the doctrine of Christ. They set about to establish their own righteousness rather than that which is committed to Scripture. It has always been this way (Gen. 6:5, Judges 21:25, Jer. 44:15-17, III John 9-10) and always will. Even in judgment some will still think they have done right when they have really done wrong (Matt. 7:21-24).

The Bible teaches that we must serve God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). To serve in spirit means with the right attitude and with a pure heart (Joshua 24:14, I Cor. 14:15). To serve in truth means to follow that which is authorized in Scripture (John 17:17). But to serve in truth we must first know of what the truth consists. Throughout the centuries Scripture has been opened to many wild abuses of interpretation and such is not acceptable to God (II Peter 1:16-21). In fact it would serve us well at this point to reflect on I Cor. 1:10 which says,

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

It seems clear in this text that there is no room for disagreement on any subject on which God has spoken. Seven different terms are used in this passage which suggests that we are all to come to the exact same conclusion when considering the exact same situation. There is no room for ‘agreeing to disagree’ when it is a matter of doctrine. In fact, in light of the prayer made by Christ in the garden just before His betrayal that all of His disciples should be one even as He and the Father are one, it seems ludicrous that such a statement ever even saw the light of day.

Not only are we to do things the exact way God instructs us, we cannot alter even a little the gospel of Christ and still be acceptable. Judaizing teachers tried to add parts of the old law to the new and Paul wrote in Gal. 1:6-12 that if even an apostle or an angel taught differently than the delivered gospel, they were to be accursed. It is a serious thing to corrupt, change, tamper with, ignore, or violate God’s written will. Whether rebellion, carelessness, or ignorance are the cause of one’s disobedience, the result is the same. God will commit to hell the offending party (Matt. 7:21-24).

Scripture teaches us that the only way to God is through Christ (Acts 4:12, John 14:1-3) and the only way to please Christ is through obedience to all of His commandments (Luke 6:46-49, John 14:15, 21, 23). In Eph. 4:1-6, which we will discuss later, we find that unity requires us to accept that there is one God and Father above all, one Lord, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one body, and one baptism. Unity, that quality which Christ prayed for us to have, may only be achieved if we agree totally on these issues. This can certainly be accomplished because it is God’s will. But it requires the diligent study of an honest heart and a proper approach to God’s divine revelation.

3. A Proper Hermeneutic.

Just having an approach to understanding the Bible is not enough. One must have the proper hermeneutic to obtain God’s message. There is a lot of talk today about a new or modern hermeneutic but such is really deceptive. There have been ‘new’ hermeneutics presented throughout the centuries by those who oppose God, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Consider, for example, Satan, who presented the first new hermeneutic in Gen. 3:4 which states,

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”

Satan ‘clarified’ what God had said. He explained what God ‘really’ meant. Eve had simply, according to Satan, misunderstood what God meant when He warned her that to disobey would bring death. By the way, Eve is dead! So much for new hermeneutics.

Whenever we have Scripture for our actions (properly applied Scripture) then we have nothing to fear because God’s word is designed to lead us (Ps. 119:105). But, apart from the Word, man has no real basis for guidance and disaster is sure to follow (Prov. 14:12, Jer. 10:23, Rom. 10:1-3, Matt. 15:14). We must have the proper hermeneutic to survive in this world until we can get home to the Father.

4. The Purpose of the Bible.

There are four things that the Bible is designed to teach us. First, it tells us that man is lost. It relates to us the story of the original sin that separated us from God. Then, throughout Scripture, it continues to remind us of this fact. In the new covenant writings we find in Rom. 3:23 that all have sinned. We further find in Rom. 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. I John 1:8 reminds us we cannot deny this fact and Is. 59:1-2 has already clarified that sin separates us from God. Without question, mankind is lost.

The second thing the Bible teaches us is that God does not want us to be lost. In fact, in passages such as Ezek. 33:11 we see the picture of God almost begging the wicked to repent and live. In the new covenant Peter adds his voice in II Pet. 3:9 in support of this fact, God is not willing that any should perish.

The third thing the Bible reveals is that God has done something so that man does not have to be lost. In John 3:16 we find He sent His son. He did so at a set time and for a set purpose (Gal. 4:4), set even before the creation of the world (Eph 1).

The final thing presented by the Bible is what we have to do to enjoy deliverance from our sins. That thing we must do, that thing which we are required to do, that thing which the Bible presents as absolutely necessary is to obey the will of the Father (Matt. 7:21).

5. All Can Understand.

It is the mighty God that has made us (Ps. 100) and made the world for us, and all that therein is (Gen. 1:26, Gen. 2:15, Psalm 33:6-9). I find it, therefore, an incredible thing that there are those who believe that the infinite and omnipotent God cannot design a book that we can understand and follow. Yet that is the very thing many believe and hold to confidently. It was taught as a truth by the clergy of old and now is a religious tradition which interferes with the spiritual growth expected of us by our God. God designed us and He designed the Bible for us. It is the guide He has given us and it surely is understandable.

Consider the writing of the apostle Paul found in II Tim. 2:15 which says,

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

From this text we pick up a key word to understanding the Scriptures, study! English, math, even soccer are all confusing until one takes the time to try and understand them. But once conquered, all of these things and a million others like them become second nature. Such is also true of the Scriptures. They require much study to be properly understood. But then, they hold the key to life and are well worth the effort. Scripture can be understood.

A second principle is stated in this Scripture that we should consider. With proper study we can be approved of God. Without it we cannot. In fact, if Scripture can be rightly divided it can also be wrongly divided. This course of study is designed to prevent that from happening.

It is our responsibility to become so familiar with the word of God that no one will have the ability to deceive us. Consider again Paul as he writes in II Tim. 3:13-17 which reads,

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

We see that there will be those who try and deceive us. We see that they will even be deceived in the doing of it. But most importantly we see that we do not have to be deceived as long as we hold to the teaching of the apostles and other inspired writers. We have God’s word and it can make us complete if we only study it and apply it to our lives.

6. Exegesis Versus Eisegesis.

Exegesis is a Greek term which has been placed into the English language. Its primary word parts meant literally to guide out of and came to mean to get out of the Scripture what is to be found in it. Eisegesis is a word coined in recent years and means to put into the Scripture what one wants to find there. These seem to be the two basic approaches to Scripture. One group goes to the Scripture to see what it says; The other group goes there trying to find support for what they have already chosen as right.

The first method, exegesis, is the method we must all employ if we are to please God. The second method, eisegesis, is the most commonly used method and is guaranteed to please only ourselves. We must never go to the Bible to justify what we believe. We must go to the Bible to see what it is that we ought to believe. Often an individual in a Bible discussion will demand that the other person ‘be honest’ in the discussion. That advice is proper advice for all to adhere to. We must all, Christian and non-Christian alike, seek to be honest when investigating God’s word so that we will not deceive ourselves into a false security only to find in the day of judgment that we blew it totally!

7. Searching The Scriptures.

In Acts 17:10-11 we read the following,

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

We find several things we need to briefly touch on as we close this chapter. First, the Bereans received the word with readiness of mind. That means they were open to being taught. They did not swallow what was said hook, line, and sinker. But they were willing to open their minds and learn. Second, they searched the Scriptures to validate what was being taught to them. They checked the source of authority in all matters of religious issues, God’s holy word. Third, they did this daily. Bible study is meaningless if it is not a process of life for you. If one studies only when he has time, then he will never study. Everyone must be noble about their desire to know the will of God. Everyone must search the Scriptures regularly if they are to really grow and understand what God has planned for their lives. This book will give you some very practical ideas and concepts which will aid in the understanding of the will of God.