Mastering Scripture: Explicit, Implicit, and Contextual Insights

 

Summary

In our journey to maturely understand Scripture, we must master certain principles of interpretation. One key principle is the relationship between the explicit and the implicit. The explicit is what Scripture states directly and clearly, while the implicit involves what is implied and requires deduction. We must interpret the implicit in light of the explicit, not the other way around. This means that the obscure or difficult passages should be understood in light of what is plain and clear. For instance, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the word "Trinity," the concept is derived from the explicit teachings about the nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Drawing inferences from Scripture is necessary, but we must be cautious not to let these inferences conflict with explicit teachings. For example, the nature of Jesus' resurrection body is a topic of much speculation. Some infer that His glorified body could pass through solid objects based on John 20:26, but the text does not explicitly state this. Similarly, Paul's mention of women covering their heads "because of the angels" in 1 Corinthians 11:10 has led to various interpretations, but we must be careful not to build doctrines on such speculative grounds.

Another area of caution is the interpretation of human ability in relation to salvation. John 3:16 suggests that "whoever believes" will have eternal life, but it does not explicitly address the ability of fallen man to believe without divine assistance. In contrast, John 6:44 explicitly states that no one can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Father, highlighting the necessity of divine intervention.

Finally, we must be mindful of word meanings and context. Words like "salvation," "sanctification," and "lord" can have different meanings depending on the context. Misunderstanding these can lead to erroneous interpretations. A simple Bible dictionary can be a valuable tool in understanding these nuances.

Key Takeaways:

- Explicit vs. Implicit Interpretation: Always interpret implicit or obscure passages in light of explicit and clear teachings. This ensures that our understanding aligns with the core truths of Scripture and prevents us from forming doctrines based on speculation. [01:01]

- Caution with Inferences: While drawing inferences from Scripture is necessary, they should never contradict explicit teachings. For example, the concept of the Trinity is an inference drawn from various explicit teachings about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. [02:59]

- Human Ability and Divine Assistance: The ability of fallen man to come to Christ is not explicitly supported by John 3:16, which speaks to the promise of eternal life for believers. John 6:44, however, explicitly states the necessity of divine intervention for belief. [17:44]

- Understanding Word Meanings: Words like "salvation" and "sanctification" can have different meanings in different contexts. A Bible dictionary can help clarify these meanings and prevent misinterpretation. [22:36]

- Contextual Interpretation: Every passage must be interpreted within its immediate context and the broader context of Scripture. This holistic approach prevents setting one part of Scripture against another and ensures a coherent understanding. [25:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Historical Narrative and Didactic Literature
- [01:01] - Explicit vs. Implicit Interpretation
- [02:17] - Drawing Inferences from Scripture
- [02:59] - The Doctrine of the Trinity
- [03:36] - Implications and Explicit Teachings
- [04:14] - The Resurrection Body of Jesus
- [05:21] - Jesus' Glorified Body
- [06:08] - The Closed Door in John 20
- [07:25] - Fear of the Jews
- [09:04] - Women and Head Coverings
- [10:58] - Sons of God and Daughters of Men
- [14:56] - Human Ability and Divine Assistance
- [17:44] - John 3:16 and John 6:44
- [20:59] - Importance of Word Meanings
- [25:05] - Contextual Interpretation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 20:26 - "And after eight days, again, His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace be unto you.'"
2. 1 Corinthians 11:10 - "For this cause, ought the woman to have a covering on her head because of the angels."
3. John 6:44 - "No man can come to Me unless it is given to him by the Father."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does John 20:26 suggest about the nature of Jesus' resurrected body, and how does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on drawing inferences? [05:21]

2. In 1 Corinthians 11:10, why does Paul mention angels in the context of women covering their heads, and what are some interpretations mentioned in the sermon? [09:04]

3. How does John 6:44 explicitly address the necessity of divine intervention in coming to Jesus, according to the sermon? [17:44]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how word meanings can vary in different contexts, and why is this important for interpretation? [22:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest we should handle passages that are implicit or obscure, and what is the risk of not doing so? [01:01]

2. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between human ability and divine assistance in the context of salvation, particularly in light of John 3:16 and John 6:44? [17:44]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the potential pitfalls of drawing inferences from Scripture, using the example of Jesus' resurrection body? [05:21]

4. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of understanding word meanings and context when interpreting Scripture? [22:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you might have interpreted an implicit passage without considering explicit teachings. How can you ensure a more balanced approach in the future? [01:01]

2. Considering the sermon’s discussion on human ability and divine assistance, how does this influence your understanding of your own faith journey? [17:44]

3. Have you ever formed a belief based on a speculative inference from Scripture? How can you use the principles from the sermon to reassess that belief? [05:21]

4. Think of a word or concept in the Bible that you might have misunderstood due to context. How can you use resources like a Bible dictionary to gain clarity? [22:36]

5. How can you apply the principle of contextual interpretation in your daily Bible reading to avoid setting one part of Scripture against another? [25:05]

6. In what ways can you be more mindful of the explicit teachings of Scripture when discussing theological concepts with others? [20:19]

7. Identify a passage of Scripture that you find challenging. How can you apply the sermon’s principles to better understand and apply it in your life? [25:05]

Devotional

Day 1: The Balance of Explicit and Implicit Understanding
In our journey to understand Scripture, it is crucial to differentiate between what is explicitly stated and what is implied. The explicit teachings of the Bible are clear and direct, while the implicit requires careful deduction. To avoid misinterpretation, the implicit should always be understood in light of the explicit. This principle helps prevent the formation of doctrines based on speculation. For example, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the word "Trinity," the concept is derived from explicit teachings about the nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. By prioritizing explicit teachings, we ensure our understanding aligns with the core truths of Scripture. [01:01]

"For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a passage you find difficult to understand. How can you use explicit teachings from Scripture to gain clarity on this passage today?


Day 2: The Caution of Drawing Inferences
Drawing inferences from Scripture is a necessary part of interpretation, but it requires caution. Inferences should never contradict explicit teachings. For instance, the concept of the Trinity is an inference drawn from various explicit teachings about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Similarly, while some infer that Jesus' glorified body could pass through solid objects based on John 20:26, the text does not explicitly state this. By ensuring that our inferences align with explicit teachings, we maintain the integrity of our understanding and avoid speculative doctrines. [02:59]

"Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a belief you hold that is based on inference. How can you ensure it aligns with explicit biblical teachings today?


Day 3: The Necessity of Divine Assistance
The ability of fallen man to come to Christ is a topic of much debate. John 3:16 speaks to the promise of eternal life for believers, but it does not explicitly address the ability of fallen man to believe without divine assistance. In contrast, John 6:44 explicitly states that no one can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Father, highlighting the necessity of divine intervention. This understanding emphasizes the importance of relying on God's grace and power in our journey of faith. [17:44]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt drawn to God. How can you acknowledge and rely on His divine assistance in your faith journey today?


Day 4: The Importance of Understanding Word Meanings
Words like "salvation," "sanctification," and "lord" can have different meanings depending on the context. Misunderstanding these can lead to erroneous interpretations. A Bible dictionary can be a valuable tool in understanding these nuances. By paying attention to word meanings and context, we can prevent misinterpretation and gain a deeper understanding of Scripture. This approach helps us appreciate the richness and depth of biblical teachings. [22:36]

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130, ESV)

Reflection: Choose a biblical word you often encounter. How can you explore its meaning and context to deepen your understanding of Scripture today?


Day 5: The Holistic Approach of Contextual Interpretation
Every passage must be interpreted within its immediate context and the broader context of Scripture. This holistic approach prevents setting one part of Scripture against another and ensures a coherent understanding. By considering the context, we can appreciate the unity and consistency of biblical teachings. This method helps us avoid cherry-picking verses to support preconceived ideas and encourages a more comprehensive understanding of God's Word. [25:05]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a passage you often quote. How can you study its context to ensure a holistic understanding of its message today?

Quotes


The implicit is to be interpreted in light of the explicit, not the other way around. We are not to interpret the explicit in light of the implicit. Another way of saying it is that the obscure or the difficult is to be interpreted in light of that which is plain and clear, because that's basically the difference between that which is explicit and that which is implicit. [00:01:05]

An explicit statement is one that is made forthrightly, directly and clearly; it's what the Scriptures actually say. Something that is implicit is not stated directly, but rather, is implied. We must use our rational powers of deduction to draw inferences from the text in order to find the implications of a given passage. [00:01:34]

The problem comes when we deduce certain things from the Bible from one passage of Scripture that then brings us into direct conflict with something that the Scripture teaches elsewhere very clearly and very plainly. That's what we're trying to avoid, being careful with how we deal with implications. [00:03:29]

Now does the Bible say straightforwardly and directly that Jesus' body passed through that door? It doesn't say that. It does leave the impression that that is a possibility because what the Scripture said was that the disciples were assembled in the Upper Room and Jesus appeared with them, and the door was shut. [00:06:16]

We must be careful that when we draw inferences like that, draw implications from the text, that the text doesn't necessarily demand that we need to be honest about it and say this is a possibility, but certainly not a necessary inference. [00:08:27]

If we go back to the beginning of the Old Testament and we read of the creation of Adam and Eve, and then of the story of the murder of Able at the hands of Cain, and then we read that Adam and Eve had another son, Seth; and then we have this very strange passage in the opening chapters of Genesis where we read, "And the sons of God intermarried with the daughters of men and it produced kind of a grotesque race of people." [00:10:51]

For example, one of the most controversial issues in the history of the Christian church has to do with this question: Does man in his fallenness, in his sinful condition after the fall, does he have within himself the moral capacity without any help from God the Holy Spirit or from God the Father or from God the Son -- can natural man in his fallen state, does he have the moral ability on his own to choose Jesus Christ? [00:14:31]

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times, that John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Now the question is, what does that verse teach about fallen man's ability to believe on Christ without any assistance from God? [00:15:34]

What the text explicitly says is this: "Whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life." So we can say -- set that in logical categories, whoever does A will receive B, or avoid B. Whoever believes, if you believe, you can be sure you won't perish and you will have everlasting life. [00:17:13]

This text is dealing with ability -- no man can. No man is able to do what? "To come to Me," Jesus says. Now let's just take that much -- no man is able to come to Jesus unless -- all right, there's a something that has to happen before anybody can come to Jesus, and what is that something that has to happen? "Unless it is given to him by the Father." [00:19:01]

The passage teaches that explicitly, the passage in John teaches that if God gives that ability, then whoever exercises that ability to come will indeed be saved. But John only tells us that whoever believes will be saved; he also says in chapter six that nobody can believe unless it's given to him by the Father. [00:19:34]

Again, the principle is context -- the immediate context, but not just the immediate context, but the context of the whole -- that every particular passage of Scripture must be measured and interpreted against the whole of Scripture so that we don't be guilty of setting one part over against another. [00:25:30]

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Transcript
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