Reading The Bible Correctly.

Unpacking the Word: Exegesis vs. Eisegesis

We are going to look at the vital difference between exegesis (drawing meaning from the text) and eisegesis (imposing one's own meaning onto the text), showing the importance of sound biblical interpretation for the our faith.

Understanding how to properly interpret the Scriptures helps believers avoid misapplications and strengthens our faith. We need to engage with the Word of God thoughtfully. Using historical and grammatical methods to better comprehend biblical texts.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Accurate interpretation of Scripture is crucial to understanding God's message to humanity and living a life that reflects His truth. Exegesis provides the framework for a faithful reading, while eisegesis can lead to confusion and erroneous beliefs.

2 Peter 3:15–16 ESV

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

Christ is the ultimate revelation of God's word, and proper exegesis allows believers to see Jesus in the entirety of Scripture. Eisegesis risks obscuring this revelation by distorting the intended message of the text.

Luke 24:27 ESV

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

The biggest reason why we should read the scriptures is to find Jesus in them. we read them to know him more.

John 5:39 (ESV)

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.

Faithful biblical interpretation leads to a deeper understanding of God's will and our relationship with Christ, while incorrect interpretation can lead us astray from the truth and understanding of salvation.

1. Berean Bible Blueprint

Acts 17:11

The Bereans were great examples of believers who modeled using exegesis by examining the Scriptures daily with an open but discerning mind. Their approach teaches us to seek truth earnestly without preconceptions clouding judgment, ensuring Christ is seen clearly in the text. This encourages us to be diligent and noble in our study, favoring exegesis over eisegesis.

Acts 17:11 ESV

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

2. Scripture's Spirit Source

Here Peter highlights the divine origin of Scripture, which calls for careful exegesis. Understanding Scripture is not based on personal interpretation but acknowledging the Spirit's role in its inception. This awareness discourages eisegesis and promotes seeing Scripture as a unified revelation pointing to Christ. This point emphasizes the need to respect Scripture’s divine inspiration in exegesis.

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Understanding the Bibles true meaning unleashes its true power in our lives, and it sets us free.

John 8:31 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

John 8:32 ESV

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”