Considering the context of a bible verse is essential to correctly interpret it’s meaning. We need to consider things such as: Who wrote the book? To whom was it directed? What was going on at the time it was written? What was the culture of the writer and his audience? What is the topic being discussed? What do the surrounding verses say?

This is an example of a few of the things we should consider when trying to interpret the meaning of a verse. What does the Watchtower have to say on this subject?

***w76 10/1 p. 585 Let the Bible Speak***

Our letting the Bible speak is not just a matter of using it. We should also make sure that we are not misrepresenting what it actually says. What does this require? It is vital to consider the context in which a particular passage of Scripture appears. After reading the surrounding verses, a person might ask himself: To whom was the message directed? What was its purpose?…Clearly, then, if we strive to get the thought of what the Bible writers had in mind, we will not be misrepresenting what the Scriptures say. Our use of the Bible will appeal to sincere persons, enabling them to build their faith on the Word of God. May we therefore continue to let the Bible speak its powerful message.

All in all pretty good advice. Does the Society follow this advice? Let us consider Proverbs 4:18 and its surrounding verses – “14 Into the path of the wicked ones do not enter, and do not walk straight on into the way of the bad ones. 15 Shun it, do not pass along by it; turn aside from it, and pass along. 16 For they do not sleep unless they do badness, and their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble. 17 For they have fed themselves with the bread of wickedness, and the wine of acts of violence is what they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. 19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.”

This vs. is used to explain why JWs have had many failed prophecies and have had to constantly change doctrine. It this what the verse is saying? Is this verse a prophecy showing how God would explain truth through his earthly organization? Or instead does it make more sense to see that this passage is simply discussing the difference in behavior between evil ones and righteous ones?

For instance notice what the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary on Proverbs says on vs 18,19   “As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.”

If we consider the context of a verse this will help us avoid the trap of developing an opinion then scouring the bible looking for “proof texts”. The knowledge of the bible that most JWs have revolves around the proof text. They may be able to cite a dozen or more bible verses dealing with various doctrinal subjects, but many don’t know the context. For instance they may cite a text from Galatians, but do they understand what Paul was trying to communicate to his readers?

Another text that I feel the Society has taken out of context is 2 Timothy 3:1-5. If one reads the context it is quite easy to ascertain that Paul wasn’t talking about a time period in the distant future. He was talking about people during Timothy’s lifetime. He even says in verse 5 “and from these turn away.” How could Timothy avoid certain kinds of people that weren’t suppose to exist back then? Obviously, Paul was saying that those people were existing back then and therefore the “last days” referred to were going on back then in the first century.

There are many other examples that could be used to show the Society has on many occasions taken bible texts out of context. They are far from being the only ones to do so. Interpreting the meaning of a bible text at times can be challenging as Peter himself said of Paul’s writings in 2 Peter 3:16 – “speaking about these things as he does also in all [his] letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand,…”

It makes us feel better that even Peter an apostle had a hard time understanding some of the points Paul was making. So if in our personal bible reading we come upon difficult passages let’s always take into consideration the context.

 


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28 Comments on The Importance of Context

  1. greybeard says:

    Very good article Andrew!

    It makes me think about how the GB uses the term “faithful and discreet slave” taken out of context to demand all JW’s to submit to them without question. They miss apply Matthew 24:45-47.

    More on this subject here: http://www.jwfacts.com/watchto.....-slave.php

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  2. JWB says:

    Andrew, you bring out some very good points. Context is very important as I’ve seen many times where scriptures have been plucked out of the Bible as if they were meant to be speaking directly to some future generation. Folks here will of course remember the scripture that speaks about “going beyond the things that are written” (1 Cor. 4:6).

    You mentioned 2 Timothy 3:1-5 which (in verse 1) shows that the “last days” were refering to Timothy’s time period. 1 Corinthians 10:11 speaks of “a warning to US [ie the first-century Christians] upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived”.

    Also, as another example, when Paul wrote in the letter to the Colossians at chapter 1 verse 23 that “that good news which you heard” had been “preached in all creation that is under heaven”, did he mean at some far distant future date? Of course not. He meant it had been preached to just such an extent in the first-century. It’s interesting that the large-print NWT cross-references Colossians 1:23 to Matthew 24:14 (“this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come”), but the NWT reference Bibles I have at home don’t. However, on page 84 of “Organized To Do Jehovah’s Will”, the second paragraph (refering to Colossians 1:23) states that:

    “The early Christians had been obedient to the Word, and holy spirit had empowered them to accomplish a worldwide preaching work before the end of the Jewish system of things in 70 C.E. A seemingly impossible task had been completed.”

    Yet, in the very next paragraph it says that “In like manner, Jehovah’s modern-day organization endeavors to keep precise records of the work being done IN FULFILLMENT OF Matthew 24:14”! So which is it? The end of the Jewish system of things (which to me makes sense according to the context) or to our time (some far distant date from Matthew’s perspective)?

    When Jesus replied to the high priest that “YOU persons will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62) did he actually mean what he said? Did that group of people witness the destruction of their holy city at the hands of the then Roman “superior authorities” (Romans 13:1-4) used as “God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad” via the direction of God’s commander-in-chief Jesus Christ? Or, do we resort to “second fulfillments” (where in the text does it authorize that?) to try to make the scriptures fit in with a particular religious doctrine?

    I endeavour to take the scriptures according to their plain words, while also trying to take into account who was being spoken, at what time period, according to what customs, and so on. I definitely am no longer beholden to the organization for the light of truth which they seem at times to reflect and bounce this way and that in order to fit their preconceived ideas!

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    • andrew says:

      Thanks for your comment JWB,
      I agree totally about Matt. 24:14 being fulfilled in the first century. Many religious groups have taken all of Jesus’ words in Matt 24 as well as many other prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures and moved them up to be fulfilled in our day.
      While I do believe Jesus does talk about events that will be fulfilled in our day in Matt 24, the first part of his discourse talks about events that were fulfilled in the first century before the destruction of the temple.

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      • greybeard says:

        I don’t know… What am I missing here? When I read Matthew 24:1-14 it sound like the conclusion of this system we are living in today…

        “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”

        (Does that mean just Jerusalem?)

        4 And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet.

        7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.

        (When did nation rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom between the time he spoke these words and the fall of Jerusalem? In light of “wars and reports of wars”)

        9 “Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. 13 But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.

        All of this happened before the fall of Jerusalem? I know the good news was preached to “all the earth” back then but what about the rest of these things? Maybe I’m missing something…

        Then if you finish the chapter it is clear Christ is talking about the end still yet in the future is it not?

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        • andrew says:

          Compare the first part of all 3 accounts together Matt 24:3-14; Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:7-19. Look at the language used for instance in Mark 13:9 “But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to sanhedrins, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them.”

          Sanhedrins and synagogues would only have had meaning back then in Christianity’s infancy. Also the fulfillment of some of these prophecies can be found in the book of Acts.

          Also consider that the whole reason Jesus talked about this subject was because of a question from his disciples when they wanted to know when the temple was going to be destroyed.

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          • greybeard says:

            Wasn’t there only one sanhedrin back then? Yet is says “sanhedrins” so could this relate to courts and synagogues relate to churches?

            What about, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

            When did that occur back then? Not just small wars but “Nation will rise against nation?”

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          • Amos says:

            greybeard: Wasn’t there only one sanhedrin back then? Yet is says “sanhedrins” so could this relate to courts and synagogues relate to churches?What about, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”When did that occur back then? Not just small wars but “Nation will rise against nation?”

            Brother Greybeard, I would suggest that each major centre had theis own appointed Sanhedrin, or those who were ruling in the provincial areas.
            Likewise the Roman power of the day, was in a constant state of upheaval, & was involved in putting down wars & uprisings throughout it’s vast empire, not to mention conflicts with nations not under it’s umbrella.

            Amos

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        • Amos says:

          Brothers, please remember that the Olivet discourse (using Matt. as an example) actually was a continuation of CH 23 where Jesus was addressing the Scribes & Pharisees. Please read from 23:34; “This is why I am sending you prophets, sages, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and hound from town to town. 35 So all the righteous blood shed on the earth will be charged to you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 I assure you: All these things will come on this generation!” (HCSB)
          Note in particular V36 where Jesus addressing the Scribes & Pharisees directly, said…”All these things will come on this generation!”
          It is interesting also to see that Jesus includes the blood of “righteous” Abel (v35) when talking to them, could this be likening their actions to that of “unrighteous” Cain? That is the killing of any of those who were worshiping God.

          The account is then continued from 23:37-24:14 where the prophecy has a change of fulfillment to be either dual time period or future only.

          Often overlooked is 24:1,2; “As Jesus left and was going out of the temple complex, His disciples came up and called His attention to the temple buildings. 2 Then He replied to them, “Don’t you see all these things? I assure you: Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!”

          As history shows, this happened in AD70, so the next few verses describe the events leading up to this fulfillment.

          Amos

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          • JWB says:

            Dear Amos, you may a very good point here. Sometimes we think that the overall context can be understood by just a few surrounding verses, but as you have pointed out we need to consider many verses beforehand. One thing that stood out for me in your comment was the reference to chapter 23:36 where it uses that term “this generation”. Again I would ask folk here: Does Jesus really mean what he says? So, does “this generation” really mean this generation? Or are we going to try to bend this meaning to address some future generation. The beauty of not having to defend some religious doctrine is that one is really free to listen to what Jesus says in context. I mean, if you asked someone who had never been taught the “second/greater fulfillment” method of interpreting scripture what “this generation” meant, I feel sure that person would say it refered to the generation back there in Jesus day. Why complicate the understanding of scripture by using theological devices such as the “second/greater fulfillment” one?

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          • Amos says:

            Dear JWB, You are making some good points yourself. If we don’t use the “second/greater fulfillment” theology, & read the verses in context AND scripture with scripture, then we don’t have to bend yet other verses to fit in with our own ideas, we just need to read it as it is. As you state, why complicate the of the scriptures by using theological devices.

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          • greybeard says:

            Amos:
            Dear JWB, You are making some good points yourself. If we don’t use the “second/greater fulfillment” theology, & read the verses in context AND scripture with scripture, then we don’t have to bend yet other verses to fit in with our own ideas, we just need to read it as it is. As you state, why complicate the of the scriptures by using theological devices.

            I see your point Amos but we must realize that some things do have a “second/greater fulfillment.” To deny that is to deny Abraham and Isaac relates to God offering his own son and many other examples such as the flood and the Exodus would you not agree? Are not these things a “shadow of things to come?” (Colossians 2:17) They don’t all have a second fulfillment but it looks to me like some do. I do believe the JW’s have read to much into things and have twisted scripture to boost their claim of office over us but not all of their comparisons are wrong. Many hold to some of their views. I am sure they have taken some of their views from others. The GB we have now hasn’t really came up with much on their own. They are trying to plug the leaks in the sinking ship that Rutherford launched. TMO

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  3. Dennis says:

    Speaking of keeping things in context, check out this quote from Harold Camping the doomsday prophet on why there was no Rapture on 5/21/11.

    ‘But God had not opened our eyes yet to the fact that May 21 was a spiritual coming – not a physical coming. Our task is done. We didn’t understand the spiritual meaning of May 21.’

    NASA – We have another invisible presence!

    Dennis

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  4. Amos says:

    And don’t forget the Bible Students predictions for 1874 & 1878, because it was a non-event, they then claim the “invisible presence” as stated by Dennis.

    I also completely agree with Andrew’s reply to JWB. I have long held that Matt.24, had a split fulfillment as shown by Andrew. It is very easy to get this understanding, if you aren’t trying to support some preconceived theological dogma, by letting the scriptures explain themselves….remember “God’s word is alive & exerts power”.

    Amos

    Amos

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    • Picardo371 says:

      Hi Amos,

      You said,
      “And don’t forget the Bible Students predictions for 1874 and 1878, because it was a non-event, they then claim the “invisible presence” as stated by Dennis.”

      This was exactly what I had in mind. The two events are strickenly similar!

      Dennis

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  5. Picardo371 says:

    Brothers, I need some help understanding something. Exactly how does 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (verse1 in particular) show that the “last days” were refering to Timothy’s time period. I guess this is something I’m going to have to be spoon feed as I just can’t see what seems to be apparent to you brothers.

    In Christian Love,
    Dennis

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    • andrew says:

      In my post I referred to the context as showing that these were types of people Timothy was to avoid. Perhaps JWB was thinking that Vs one says “But realize this…”. The verb ‘realize’ is in the singular which lets us know Paul was directing his words to Timothy letting him know that this would happen in his lifetime.

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    • Amos says:

      Picardo371: Brothers, I need some help understanding something. Exactly how does 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (verse1 in particular) show that the “last days” were refering to Timothy’s time period. I guess this is something I’m going to have to be spoon feed as I just can’t see what seems to be apparent to you brothers.In Christian Love,Dennis

      This is interesting Dennis, as about three weeks ago I did a “mini study” on Joel 2:28-32, compared to Acts 2:14-21.

      On the day of Pentecost following the outpouring of the HS, Peter changed Joels words “after this” in 2:28, to “in the last days” in v17 of Acts 2. This immediately put my mind in a spin that the “last days” actually began at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When we link these two events, that is Matt. 23,24 together with Acts ch2 & then do some chain referencing we come up with some interesting thoughts. I followed verse by verse in Acts 2 as follows.
      V17; Jn 7:37-39, Acts 10:24-26, 21:8,9, 1Pet. 1:20, 1Jn. 2:18.
      V18; 1 Cor. 12:4-11.
      V19; 2Cor. 12:12, Rev. 6:8.
      V20; Matt. 24:29-31, Rev. 6:12.
      V21; Rom. 10:10-13.

      Please also read the surrounding verses to the above scriptures to get their meanings in context. I have shared these thoughts with several brothers that I meet with, & they are amazed that none of us have seen these verses in this light before. I don’t mean new light, I mean the linking of them all together to give the view of the last days beginning from Pentecost. This gives a whole new meaning to ALL the persecutions & events that have come upon the brothers of Christ, during the Gospel Age, right down to the present time almost without letup, beginning with Stephen being martyred.

      Just an afterthought, I had been discussing the last days with some of the friends over here & on the day that I did this study, I went to open my bible up & was wondering what to read when it fell open at Acts ch 2, & my eyes fell directly onto this passage.

      Your fellow Brother in Christ,
      Amos

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    • Dennis says:

      Thanks to all who answered my question. Very good replies. I get it now.

      Your Brother in Christ,

      Dennis

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  6. JWB says:

    It’s interesting to note that The Watchtower of 1 January 2003 (“Now More Than Ever, Stay Awake!”, paragraph 4) admitted that Jesus’ predictions about wars, food shortages, earthquakes, lawlessness, false prophets, and the good news of God’s Kingdom being preached “did have a minor fulfillment back then”.

    So here we are back to the major/minor or first/second fulfillments so well used by the society. However, Jesus did say (to his audience there back in the first century): “Look out that nobody misleads *YOU*”, “*YOU* are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that *YOU* are not terrified.”

    greybeard, dear friend, I ask myself the question: “What part of *YOU* don’t the society understand?” Many years ago, I would have asked questions like “Well how could that possibly apply to the first century; where were the wars, earthquakes, etc?”, but now I ask: “Do I actually believe what Jesus plainly saidm or am I going to take the scripture out of its context (as Andrew pointed out concerning the initial question of the disciples) because I don’t have enough faith that Jesus meant what he said?” Sorry if this sounds a bit blunt, but I know how spending years immersed in the society’s interpretations based on minor/major fulfillments can sometimes be difficult to question.

    Picardo371, hello brother! I cannot do better than give the explanation Andrew gave to you. Again concerning “the last days” as being understood by the disciples as refering to their time period, remember what Peter said at Pentecost concerning a prophecy of Joel’s (Acts 2:10-21). Please compare the language of Matthew 24:29 with that of Acts 2:20.

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    • Amos says:

      I totally concur with you JWB, as my reply above will show.

      All too often I have heard it said that there is a spiritual significance to be read into a bible verse, when as you have pointed out that Jesus very clearly made a statement that had a direct bearing on those who He was speaking to.

      We are thinking very much alike brother.

      Amos

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    • greybeard says:

      Dear JWB,

      I hear you but I am not sure that I agree. JW’s are not the only ones who feel Matthew 24 relates to our day on a grander scale. Many feel that way. If I were to take your view I could say the preaching work has been completed to the ends of the earth, no need to preach now as the “end” Christ was talking about has already came. With all due respect, I don’t think I can buy that. However I do agree the the last days did begin back then and has continued to our day.

      In Christian love,
      Greybeard

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  7. JWB says:

    Dear greybeard, I respect your view of course. I’m not saying that preaching the good news is not relevant to our day or need not be done. My replies have been from the angle of “context”, in line with Andrew’s article. All I’m saying is that I don’t agree with scriptures being used specifically to apply to our day (as a second/major fulfillment) when the speaker was directing his words to actual living people in his presence (using the personal pronoun *YOU*) in his own time period. The fact that the good news about Jesus Christ has been well and truly preached to the world is evident to me by the fact that the world has the message of that good news within their grasp in the form of the Bible. This situation, whether we like to admit it or not, has been in large part the consequence of various missionaries (shock horror: even those of ‘Christendom’!) and various Bible societies. But of course which good news is it that we think should be preached? Is it the simple one contained in the gospels, which is available for the individual to read and understand for himself, or is it some other good news that requires interpretation in an unending supply of ‘Bible-based’ literature in order to “understand Jehovah’s will for us today”?

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    • greybeard says:

      I see your point JWB and I do agree with you for the most part. However as far as Matthew 24 goes I am not so sure the “YOU” Jesus is talking to does not include us in our time as well. I do not know greek but it is my understanding that in the NWT when translating the word “YOU” in all capitals it means the pronoun is plural meaning this could include us as well. I tend to believe part of Matthew 24 is being fulfilled in our day and I do not think the real “end of this system of things” will be done away with until the 1000 years are over and Satan is dead. We know there will be much preaching work needed for those resurrected as well so that work wont be over soon. This is only my opinion and I know I may be wrong. However for now, that is how I see things. I have a long way to go that is for sure and I really do appreciate you brothers here helping me with these things. Always feel free to set me straight as I need all the help I can get.

      In Christian love,
      Greybeard

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      • Amos says:

        greybeard: I see your point Amos but we must realize that some things do have a “second/greater fulfillment.” To deny that is to deny Abraham and Isaac relates to God offering his own son and many other examples such as the flood and the Exodus would you not agree? Are not these things a “shadow of things to come?” (Colossians 2:17) They don’t all have a second fulfillment but it looks to me like some do. I do believe the JW’s have read to much into things and have twisted scripture to boost their claim of office over us but not all of their comparisons are wrong. Many hold to some of their views. I am sure they have taken some of their views from others. The GB we have now hasn’t really came up with much on their own. They are trying to plug the leaks in the sinking ship that Rutherford launched. TMO

        Brother Greybeard,
        I do agree with you over the points that some scriptures do have a greater/dual or spiritual fulfillment or meaning. What I was trying to point out (but failed) is that the WTS are too liberal at doing this, by trying to read these things into almost every passage of scripture.
        In your reply to JWB concerning the real “end of this system of things”, not being completed until the end of the 1000 years, this is something that I have also been considering myself.

        In Christian love,
        Amos

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        • JWB says:

          Dear Brother Greybeard,

          Just a point on the word “YOU”, as you have pointed out it is capitalised because it shows that Jesus was saying his words to more than one person. For this particular word we don’t need to be Koine Greek scholars (thankfully!). Since Jesus was talking to his disciples (plural) I take the words as simply being directed to them rather than some future generation. As I’ve said, I’m not saying that preaching the good news is not relevant for our day, but rather pointing out what I see is an error in the society’s applying the Matthew 24:14 verse to there own particular brand of ‘good news’.

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