In this study several concepts will be introduced. These concepts are tool to aid in your understanding of the scripture. To some of you, these concepts are not unfamiliar. However, even if the subject is well known to you, it is good to review:
Genre is from French meaning "kind" or "sort". The term is used for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audio or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. The Genre is formed by rules that change over time. This account for new genres are being used and the older ones are discontinued.
A Biblical genre is the classification of the literature of the Bible according to its literary style. When making such a classification the determination of writing style, tone, form structure and content are considered. As you might guess, this is a type of analysis; and, if the truth be known, no one is absolutely completely satisfied with the complete analysis. There has not been complete agreement in these matters since these types of studies have been performed. With that being said, there ideas and procedures that have been agreed upon are much help.
A letter is a personal and usually considered confidential.
A letter is a written communication addressed to same one usually some distance away.
A letter takes the place of spoken communication, because of the distance involved.
The spoken word contains tone, face expressions, loudness and word order;therefor, these are factors that weight in on the interpretation of what is being said.
The primary intention of didactic art is not to entertain, but to teach.
The following theoretical classifications are not accepted by all scholars. For our purpose, these classification work well for us.
We have in our possession several thousands examples of communications from the time of Christ. These examples we have access to, for the most part, follow this pattern:
The Opening Names The Writer.
Normally these communications open with the name of the writer. I am sure that we are all familiar with the way Paul opens his : “I, Paul....” The communication usually named the author at the very beginning, the first line. Here is another example to illustrate the point :
Philippians 1:1
The Message (MSG)
Philippians 1
1-2Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.
Naming The Recipient
It is the custom to name the intended recipient. The recipient could be an individual or a group (like a church), or some community.
The second line normally named the intended recipient
The Greeting
Most often the greeting to the reader is offered next.
Paul sometimes worded his greeting, "Grace and peace to you."
When reading Paul's writings, or any writing for that matter, pay close attention to how the greeting is phased and what words are chosen.
The choice of words reflect Paul's dual status. "Grace" was a common Hellenistic greeting, while "peace" (shalom) was the common Jewish greeting. The use of these particular words reflects Paul's Jewish faith and Hellenistic culture.
Wish For The Recipient
After the greeting, these communications usually offer some sort of prayer, wish or thanksgiving.
Almost all of the examples that we have from that time period contains some form of a prayer wish in this section.
An Biblical example of this is:
3 John 1:2
The Message (MSG)
3 John 1
1-4The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you! We're the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!
Note that If it is not in this form, it usually is missing altogether.
This is not found in Galatians, 1 Timothy or Titus.
You will often find thanksgiving and prayer in this position of the communication unless the situation being addressed does not call for it.
Some of Paul's’ communications contain a doxology. Some consider these cases as an extended thanksgiving and prayer. Again it may dependent on the situation being addressed by Paul.
The main Body(s)
If the communication follows the normal pattern set for that time, the body of the communication comes before the doxology. Some times it comes afterward.
The Body
This section will begin with a brief statement introducing the main topic of this section or division of the communication. Some of Paul writings have more than one section, addressing more than one subject.
Delivery
Sometimes the body of the text contains a sentence that recognizes the person who brought and delivered the communication. They did not have the modern postal system we do. Hand carrying was necessary. The people who hard carried the communication were thanked for their effort in this way.
Here is one example of this.
Ephesians 6:21-22
The Message (MSG)
21-22 Tychicus, my good friend here, will tell you what I'm doing and how things are going with me. He is certainly a dependable servant of the Master! I've sent him not only to tell you about us but to cheer you on in your faith.
Final Greeting and Farewell
After the message(s) in all the section have been delivered, then comes a final greeting and farewell.
Finally at the end, the scribe responsible for writing the communication may be recognized the end of the communication.
This is an example from Romans:
Romans 16:22
The Message (MSG)
22 Tertius, who wrote this letter at Paul's dictation, send you my personal greetings.
Transferring From One Language To Another
It is suspected that sometimes, in the processes the text goes through to get the thought from the original language to 21st century English, the result may be a bit more formal than Paul or any author intended by the original thought.
Some believe that Paul longed to establish an intimate extension of his relationship with them (the indented audience). He was trying to establish something like face to face communication in his epistles. His communications were to be read aloud to the entire church congregation. Paul wanted his thoughts to be presented in an effective manner.
They were very conservative of the resources at hand. Letter writing in his day was an very expensive undertaking. Ink and paper were expensive. One must consider the cost of delivery also.
These communications usually intended:
Generally True
What is stated above is generally true. But to be fair, not all of the New Testament epistles have all these elements.
Defining Things
Some definitions that need to be established before proceeding.
Context
Context is :
Circumstances
Circumstance is:
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of Christianity. It is the study of the nature of Christian truths.
Exegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation of a text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible. The expression "Biblical exegesis" is used for understanding on how the term is being used. The goal of exegesis is to explore the meaning of the text. Once the meaning of the text is understood, then applications can be made.
Exegesis includes :
Exegesis is not a form of hermeneutics. Hermeneutics will be explained in the next article.
What Is Historical Context?
The term historical context :
When Will You Need to Context?
If you plan on engaging in fruitful, meaningful Biblical study, expect to consult commentaries and dictionaries that will provide an historical setting for the subject at hand. It will be important for you to know the significance of what events occurred when and how these events had a bearing on your study matter.
The Epistles
The Epistle of Galatians
The epistle of Galatians was :
All the epistle, not just Galatians were all written in time a span of less than 150 years. This means they were nearly all written with the same historical background.
The Epistle of Galatians is :
This is why its’ interpretation difficult at times. One of the most important factors in interpretation is the circumstances that called the Galatians into being.
What Was Being Addressed By Galatians?
In a lot of the cases we have, some one had asked a question. Other times, the writer,Paul, had some situation reported to him. In still other cases, we do not know the question. I become as if we are listening in on a one sided conservation.
To Enlarge On This Subject
In some cases a behavior was addressed, a point in theology needed clarification or some practice needed to be explained. Sometimes the epistle gave answers and we do not know the questions. Sort of a one sided conservation. These are some of the reasons that it is important to get as clear a picture about all aspects of the context.
In The Case Of Galatians
Galatians was written because Paul heard of some false teachers were corrupting the churches that He had planted.
Galatians contains no special pronouncements on theology. Instead, Galatians offers an answer to situations that have contexts.
Galatians has been used again and again for Christian theology. Galatians add to our knowledge of the thinking of the early participants of Christian theology. But one must always keep in mind that Galatians was not primarily written to expound Christian theology.
Preliminaries Out Of The Way
Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, let us proceed to apply some of what was just presented. There are hopes that we can apply these principles and come out with an informed exegetical reading. We will proceed with a study of Galatians.
The Historical Context
First thing to do is to get your tools together.
First task
These are the types of questions that need to be answered.
To answer these questions and more:
1. Read about Galatians in both of your Bible dictionary and commentary. Find out as much as possible about introductory material. Try to determine the following points:
Other questions and answers may pop into your mind while reading this extra Biblical material. By answering these points, you are establishing the context.
Read The Text
Now read the text. you need to develop the habit of reading the whole letter through in one sitting.
You should read a letter in the Bible the same way you read any other letter.
Later there will be a discussion about what you should be looking for while you read a letter.
Right now, at first you are trying to get an overall view. Later we will be looking at each word and the meanings associated with that word. You are trying to get the overview fist.
Get A Overview
You should make the commitment to read the book, read it again and then reread the entire book. You should not and you must not be in a hurry. Give yourself plenty of time. Read it at one sitting.
Logical Parts
The reading will reveal logical parts of the entire book. Once the sections are identified, make a commitment to study each section as a unit. Read the section; Then, read the section again. After that, reread it again.
Watch Your Focus
If you can find a recording of what you are reading, use it. Listen to it whenever you can. You learn from seeing. You also learn from hearing.
No Kidding
Do not kid yourself. No matter how old you are, you are still a student. Students takes notes. Get a pen and paper and as you read or listen, take a note or two while doing so. Keep your note short and sweet.
Notes On Notes
There are five kinds of notes:
Maybe You Noticed
Here are the kinds of things you may have noticed, grouped according to the five suggested categories:
3 Major Parts
If you did not catch all of these things, do not give up. We have gone over this material a lot of times, and it is all familiar turf. The important thing is to learn to read with your eyes open to picking up these kinds of clues.
Working Outline Of The Letter
We come now to the important matter of having a working outline of the letter.
This is especially important for Galatians because it is easier to study or read this letter in convenient "packages."
Not all of Paul's letters are made up of so many separate items, but such a working outline is nonetheless always useful. The place to begin is with the obvious major divisions.
Again I want to emphasize that this is only a tentative outline. It is an example for some one to follow and through and study, to make your own.
The tools you should have on hand before the study.
Tools on hand:
The Introduction
Read Galatians introduction in the Bible dictionary.
One of the problems the church in Galatians was experiencing were false teachings. The problem is they did not know they were being led astray. These churches were founded by Gentiles converted from paganism.
The Historical Context Of Galatians
As you read, paying close attention to detail to the three divided sections of what Paul wrote. Paul's’ writing falls naturally into three sections. Each section can stand alone, separate from the other.
The first time you read Galatians try to get the “big picture” of what Paul is addressing. Ask yourself while reading: What is the epistle all about. As you read, make mental notes of the arguments that is used.
Read the entire epistle 3 times at one sitting. During this reading(s) note everything you can find abut about who the intended readers are. Names? Groups? Church(as)? Teachers? Who was Paul talking to?
Note exactly are the problems that prompted the epistle. Your listing should include exactly what the problems they are facing. Are they themselves creating these problems?Are the problems coming from the outside? Where exactly are the problems coming from?
Create A Outline Separate From Your Notes
This outline you are creating in your notebook is not a short outline. These notes will go into as much detail as possible. Include all the relevant items that you can discover through out your reading.
Word List
Start another list. Focus this list on the key words Paul uses. What words did Paul repeat and how many times did he repeat them? This is only an example. It is not a stopping place. This is only an example to learn from. The churches of Galatia were churches that Paul founded. I can only help but think these Churches are always on his radar because of his involvement with them (Gal. 1:8,9; 4:19).
He had a physical problem when He first preached to them. He does not enlarge on this condition. It is assumed that the congregations of the churches knew Paul well enough that they knew about his physical problem (4:13)
He did not enlarge on the problem probably because they already knew what it was. What ever the problem was, it did not interfere their reception of the Gospel. (4:14).
In 4:13, He uses the term "at first". This means he preached to the at least one other time and maybe more times than that.
The readers were Gentiles converted from paganism (4:8; 5:2; 6:12). This should not rule out Jewish Christians being around at this time. Paul did not pin down the locations of these churches. The name is not uncommon. A place on the map is not pinpointed.
Sometime after Paul's last visit, it should be noted that some teachers where distorting the Gospel. These teachers claimed to be Christians.
Paul’s Answer To This
Paul gave a firm answer to this sort of teaching. Paul was not shy in his answer.
1:1-5 Paul gave greetings to the churches.
He said a lot by what he did not say. He did not give they any praise
Paul labeled them as being fickle. 1:6-9
The Divisions Of This Epistle
This epistle can be divided up into three sections. Each section is unique from the others.
The First Section: 1:10—2::21
The Defense Of His Qualifications
He explains to the readers what his qualification are and what gives him authority to speak.
His Calling
He was called to be an apostle by God.
What He Preached
He was to preach the Gospel of grace.
The Source Of His Preaching
What he preached came from God and no place else.
Choices To Be Made
Paul states that there is a choice between faith in Christ and obedience to the law. Justification is a sinful person coming into a right relationship with God. Justification does not come by living bound to the law. To be in Christ meant being free from the legal requirements of the law.
The Second Section
This section is the major arguments between Paul's gospel and the Judaism's heresy.
3:1—5:12
Paul supported his preaching of faith alone on three principles.
The gift of the Spirit came to them through faith. Abraham received the promise and righteousness by faith 430 years before the law was given. Because people did not keep the law when it came, they fell under its curse.
The Third Section
3) 5:13—6:10
This section preaches against the abuse of freedom
This section is the final section. Paul condemns abuse of this freedom from the law. Christian freedom required the believer to walk by the Spirit. Walking by the Spirit is contrary to the desires and works of the flesh. Christian freedom must be tempered by Christian love.
The Closing
(6:11-18) In Paul's’ closing he again urged them not to yield to circumcision and all it represented.
We will now investigate what the literary context can tell us about Galatians.
What The Literary Context Offers
When engaging in productive Bible study, it is very important to read the study in the correct context. If the bible student or Bible teacher will follow this suggestion it will make for more accurate interpretation. If the student can exercise the ability to read a text in its literary context; This in turn, will produce more accurate and reliable results. Knowing the literary contexts will make the student aware of what has taken place and anticipates where a text is going.
Rereading
Now, what separates a good reader from a great one is the act of rereading. Productive readers engage in rereading. The act of rereading the text, in one sitting, the context is discovered and becomes a part of that person’s thought world, and for this reason, the resultant interpretation becomes more contextual.
Levels Of Context
There are different levels of context. For our purpose, think of three concentric circles.
Context in Circles
The Genre displayed in the Epistle of Galatians
The epistle of Galatians is an typical example of a style of writing in the first century.
The Sub Genres Of Galatians
The sub genres or structures of this letter include:
The Genre of Paul's’ Arguments
Because of the way defends himself in the passages, it makes it obvious that Galatians has apologetic elements. However Paul is not using the kind of rhetoric used in law courts. The manner and way He presents his arguments has been classified by some as being an example of “deliberative rhetoric.” This was the kind of argumentation ancient speakers and writers used to persuade people to change their behavior.
Paul was Rational in His Presentation
Special Attention To Repeated Words
Gospel
In the notes that the student kept while reading this epistle, do not let it escape that the word “ Gospel “ appears 12 times. If the word is used that many times, it must be considered as important enough to consider it a “theme” of the epistle. Paul distinguishes between Two Gospels:
The Gospel of Christ is the justification by grace through faith in Christ.
The “other” gospel is describe as being “Faith plus good works” or “Faith plus obeying the law” or “Faith plus circumcision” or Faith plus (you fill in the blank)”.
It must be clear to the student that Paul is engaging in defense of the Gospel of Faith alone. Any other thing is no Gospel at all.
Law
The false teaching that some false brothers (Judases) were preaching detailed the idea that Gentile Christians should obey the Law of Moses in order to be saved.
The heart of this teaching contained the ideas that if you don’t observe the Law of Moses, you can’t belong to the family of God.
That kind of false teaching seemed logical to the congregations in Galatia and this teaching was rapidly becoming accepted.
Faith
The word appears 16 times.
Paul chooses his words carefully. Paul is teaching that a man is justified by grace through faith in Christ alone. There is nothing else , “Plus” nothing. This teaching of nothing more or nothing less is totally against the false teachers being touted in the churches. He said these teachings were totally and completely wrong. He used the example of Abraham. He reminded the readers how Abraham was credited as righteous before God due to his faith (Gal 3:6) Paul was saying that faith in Jesus Christ is enough for a man’s justification. Man need not observe the law in order for salvation. Paul enlarges on the concept that at the moment a person places his faith in Jesus, he is declared as righteous before God and becoming son of God and co-hers of Christ (3:26-4:7).
Freedom
The word freedom appear 7 times in Galatians.
Paul explains that we have gained our freedom as the result of our faith in Christ. Our freedom from the law under grace is the major theme of the epistle.
Epistle Of Rebuke
This epistle was one of rebuke. It followed the genre of that time for rebuke. Examine the words used. Understand the questions put to them. “you foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you…” (Gal 3:1-5)
Paul undertook to explain the law of Moses to them. His explanation was presented in such a manner those who were living in that place and time could understand. Paul explained the meaning of justification. He told them that a man is not justified by observing the law. “ all who rely on observing the law are under a curse”. They have overlook the reason for this. Paul told them that Christ had already redeemed us from the curse of the law when he was hung on a tree on behalf of our sins (Gal 3:6, 13).
Paul was leading them away from the concept of faith “Plus” something else. “ if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all…have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace” (5:2-5).
Paul did not say that Law is sinful or wrong, rather he said that “ the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” (3:24).
This makes the law a road sign for Christians toward Christ. When the law condemns us the grace of God by faith in Christ accepts as righteous.
Exegesis
A review of the definition.
The first goal of exegesis
What did the author say ; what were his intention in writing to the contemporary receiver of the text. What did the author say? Read the text. Read it again and again and again.
Equip Yourself
Hermeneutics
What we have done in this chapter, however, is only half the task. It is the essential first half, but now we want to go on to ask how these various texts apply to us. We have learned to hear God's Word to them. What about his Word to us? This is the concern of the next chapter.
The Epistles: The Hermetical Questions: What are the answers? Hermetical studies answers these questions:
This is the crux of everything. I am glad you have read this far. It gets to be easier from here on out to make mistakes. Be prepared to be bewildered.
As you have just learned from the example in Galatians, disagreements will arise. But most people agree as to the parameters of the study Historical settings provides limitation in handling the text. The literary context also provides some limitations in the way that the texts are handled. Paul could not have meant something that was impossible for the historical context. His meaning at least has have been a first-century possibility.
Every Man For Himself
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