General Principles of Hermeneutics and Exegesis
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INTRODUCTION
This paper attempts a scholarly investigation into the general principles of hermeneutics and exegesis to facilitate a better understanding of biblical texts. Before we can determine what a given text might mean for us today, we must establish what it meant for its original audience. 1
Hermeneutics and exegesis are inter-woven in the perspective of considering them as the science of biblical interpretations. Therefore hermeneutics cannot be said to be complete without exegesis. The relevance of the principles of hermeneutics and exegesis cannot be over emphasized in regards to biblical interpretation. To interpret the bible properly, one’s hermeneutical principles must be based upon a correct understanding of biblical revelation. 2 The Apostle Paul enjoins us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). The general rules of exegesis and hermeneutics is seen by different scholars/authors from different perspective but harmonious in their ideas, although with slight difference in sequence of arrangement. Therefore this paper will take for its major consultation the work of various scholars and relevant books of scholars on the subject matter.
PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS AND EXEGESIS
1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
This has to do with the context of the life and thoughts of a particular writer of the scripture. The historical context in which a verse is found is essential to its understanding. The interpreter must know what the people of that time thought and did in order to understand why they wrote the way they did.
The flow of thought as they write through the inspiration they received no doubt could be influence by the context of the life and thoughts of that particular writer of Scripture. The life and thought of the early apostles for instance no doubt was different from that of Paul who was later called to be an apostle to the
INTRODUCTION
This paper attempts a scholarly investigation into the general principles of hermeneutics and exegesis to facilitate a better understanding of biblical texts. Before we can determine what a given text might mean for us today, we must establish what it meant for its original audience. 1
Hermeneutics and exegesis are inter-woven in the perspective of considering them as the science of biblical interpretations. Therefore hermeneutics cannot be said to be complete without exegesis. The relevance of the principles of hermeneutics and exegesis cannot be over emphasized in regards to biblical interpretation. To interpret the bible properly, one’s hermeneutical principles must be based upon a correct understanding of biblical revelation. 2 The Apostle Paul enjoins us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). The general rules of exegesis and hermeneutics is seen by different scholars/authors from different perspective but harmonious in their ideas, although with slight difference in sequence of arrangement. Therefore this paper will take for its major consultation the work of various scholars and relevant books of scholars on the subject matter.
PRINCIPLES OF HERMENEUTICS AND EXEGESIS
1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
This has to do with the context of the life and thoughts of a particular writer of the scripture. The historical context in which a verse is found is essential to its understanding. The interpreter must know what the people of that time thought and did in order to understand why they wrote the way they did.
The flow of thought as they write through the inspiration they received no doubt could be influence by the context of the life and thoughts of that particular writer of Scripture. The life and thought of the early apostles for instance no doubt was different from that of Paul who was later called to be an apostle to the