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Q: What is Exegesis?

1. Exegesis("reading out of a text") is the process of uncovering the literal meaning of a text, i.e., what that text meant to the original, historical audience.
   1. The historical meaning is the literal meaning.
   2. Any reliable interpretation of a text must begin from this historical, literal meaning.
   3. Hence, it must begin with exegesis.

"What did the Biblical author mean? (Exegesis) has to do both with what he said (the content itself) and why he said it at any given point (the literary context). Furthermore, exegesis is primarily concerned with intentionality: What did the author intend his original readers to understand?"
     -- Gordon Fee in New Testament Exegesis.

Q: Why do Exegesis?

In looking at Scripture, Bible students often jump immediately to asking the hermeneutical question: What does this mean to me?

Sadly, trying to do hermeneutics before doing exegesis (i.e., making "Scripture's meaning to me" the first thing I look for) causes people to miss the richness of many Bible passages. While Scripture has great relevance to our lives, making its personal relevance the first and only question we ask of a passage can actually prohibit us from fully hearing God's Word.

Here are some steps to help you do a proper exegesis of your chosen passage and write the results of that study and reflection:

Step 1: Study the general historical context.

Look at the entire book in which the text appears. Who is the author? Are there things about that person that contribute to an understanding of the passage? Who are the recipients? What were their circumstances when they first received this writing? Was there a specific historical event or situation which caused the book (and not just the specific text) to be written? What is the book's overall theme or concern?

Note: A good Study Bible will have an Introduction, Outline, and discussion of Themes before each book of the Bible.  In addition, you can research online; here is a good website: http://www.blueletterbible.org/study/#intros

Step 2: Determine the boundaries of the text's larger natural setting.

What passage or unit or section contains the text being studied? That is, if there were no chapter and verse divisions, how much of the surrounding text would belong to your passage?

Note: By reading carefully, you can determine where the story naturally begins and ends.  For example, the parable of the Prodigal Son should be studied from Luke 15:1, because the issue brought up in verse 1 is being addressed by a set of three parables, of which the parable of the Prodigal Son is the grand finale.  

Step 3: Reflect on issues of wording in the text 

Do any of the old manuscripts differ in the wording? What specific words did the author use (as opposed to others he might have chosen with almost the same meaning) and in what order? Are there words in the passage that do not occur frequently elsewhere in this author's writings?

Note: Even though you don't know Greek and Hebrew, you can answer these questions by paying attention to center margins or footnotes in your Study Bible that indicate alternative wording.  You can also read the verse in various translations online; go to www.blueletterbible.org and click on the blue button "V" next to each verse.  For further analysis, click on the blue button "C" found next to each verse to view the Concordance of Hebrew/Greek Lexicon.  This tells you the original word, its possible meanings, and where it is used in other verses of the Bible.

Step 4: Try writing the text in your own words.

As you do so, do you sense that your own theological positions are shaping how you understand the passage? If so, in what ways?

Note: Consider carefully the various translations and context to put the words into your own words without distorting the original meaning.  As you study further, re-write the text to reflect your understanding.

Step 5: Analyze sentence structures and syntactical relationships.

Is there meaning that grows out of the specific way the thoughts are constructed?

Note: Are there parallel phrases? Especially in poetry (as in the Psalms, Lamentations, etc.) compare and contrast each phrase as it relates to the whole sentence or verse.  Where is the emphasis in the sentence (determined by syntax)?

Step 6: Reflect on the grammar of the original language.

Do Greek scholars indicate that some phrases could be read differently if the grammar were constructed a bit differently? Are there any ambiguities in the Greek that make different interpretations possible?

Note: Again, go to online resources as well as Lexicons and Commentaries to see possibilities.

Step 7: Examine key words as they appear in the original language.

What are the nuances of particular words used? Word of caution: Don't let your exegesis to be just a collection of mini word studies.

Note: Even if you don't know Greek or Hebrew, you can use good resources to see their original meaning and their possible translations.  You can study how that word is used in other passages of the Bible as well as how it was used in that time.  Start by comparing other ways the writer uses that word in that chapter, then book, then other books by the same author.  Then expand to see how that word was used in the Bible as a whole.

Step 8: Research the historical-cultural background.

What might not be obvious to today's readers? How might what was communicated to the original hearers be different than the associations made by today's readers? Do any of these differences significantly alter the meaning?

Note: Good Bible Dictionaries and Bible Encylopedias, as well as a plethora of online resources, can help give you the historical-cultural background you need to understand the passage better.

Step 9: Determine the formal character or genre of the passage.

What kind of saying is the text? Is it an apocalyptic saying? Is it a prophetic utterance? Does it have poetic elements? Does it employ overstatement?

Note: Knowing the genre can help you interpret it correctly.  For example, a figurative imagery in poetry should not be taken literally, nor should visual symbols of prophecy.  Knowing the genre will give guidelines by which to understand the original meaning.

Step 10: Consider the broader biblical and theological contexts.

What other passages of Scripture help us understand this text? Does this passage affect the meaning or value of other Scriptures? If so, which ones? What would be lost or how would the message of the Bible be less complete if this passage did not exist? To what Christian doctrine or doctrines does the passage relate? How major or minor is the passage's contribution?

Note: For example, why does Jesus heal the blind men differently?  What is consistent?  What new details are given by one Gospel writer that are not given by another for the same event? Are there similar contexts in which the passage is placed?  

Step 11: Consult secondary literature (commentaries, book studies, etc).

Investigate what others have said about the passage. Compare, incorporate and adjust.

Note: The writings of Ellen White provide inspired details to many passages and can be found online: http://www.ellengwhite.org.  The SDA Bible Commentary has some helpful insights and information as well. There are also other commentaries you can purchase or read at seminary libraries.

Step 12: Polish your own re-statement of the text.

  Re-write your earlier version of the text now that you have further studied and understood the original meaning of the text.  

 Note: Keep it simple - don't try to make it a long convoluted translation, but an accurate re-write of the verse in today's terms.

Step 13: Application

Take the point (or the several points) of the passage and turn them into a Living Word. What does it mean to you? What does this passage mean or what should it mean to those with whom you rub shoulders day in and day out? What picture of God do you see?   How can you apply this to your life today in a measurable, specific, and personal way?

* For a even more extensive and fuller exegesis, read Gordon Fee's book, New Testament Exesis: A Handbok for Students and Pastors and Douglas Stuart's book, Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbok for Students and Pastors.