PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION (Continued)

5. THE PRINCIPLE OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. The Principle Taught
1. Figurative language uses the familiar (through concrete words, phrases and concepts) to teach and illustrate the unfamiliar.  EXAMPLE:  When Christ told the disciples that He would make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
   See All...), He was using something (fishing) with which they were very familiar.  They did not understand what it meant to be a soul-winner, but they did understand the principles of fishing
2. Figurative language always teaches literal truth.  EXAMPLE:  Christ, as in the example above, was not teaching his disciples to take their boats and nets out into the water to try to catch men in them as they had previously caught fish.  He was teaching them that as they had toiled to catch fish for their livelihood, so they would learn to toil to capture the souls of men for God.
3. The main purpose of figurative language is to clarify the meaning, not cloud it.  It explains the unknown by beginning with the known.  When figurative language is twisted to distort the plain sense of scripture, God’s word is being wrested contrary to His will.
2. Common Figures of Speech
1. Simile – a formal comparison using the words like or as (Proverbs 25:25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
   See All...; Isaiah 55:10-11 [10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
   See All...; Jeremiah 23:29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
   See All...; Matthew 17:2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
   See All...)
2. Metaphor – a comparison without the words like or as (Genesis 49:22Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
   See All...; Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
   See All...; Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
   See All...; Matthew 7:15-20 [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
   See All...; Luke 13:32And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 2:20-21 [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
   See All...)
3. Personification – giving personal qualities to something having no personality (Numbers 16:32And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
   See All...; Psalm 114:3-4 [3] The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. [4] The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
   See All...; Proverbs 8:1-4 [1] Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? [2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. [3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. [4] Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
   See All... with Proverbs 9:1-3 [1] Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: [2] She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. [3] She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
   See All...)
4. Metonymy – using something which is associated to represent the main subject (Leviticus 19:32Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.
   See All...; Psalm 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
   See All...; Hosea 1:2The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
   See All...; Luke 16:29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
   See All...; Romans 3:30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
   See All...)
5. Synecdoche – using the whole for the part of the part for the whole (Daniel 12:2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
   See All...; Romans 5:19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
   See All...)
6. Irony – a sarcastic remark (Job 12:2No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 4:8-10 [8] Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. [9] For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
   See All...)
7. Hyperbole – exaggeration for emphasis (Deuteronomy 1:28Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
   See All...; Psalm 6:6I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
   See All...) –NOTE: be careful with this; hyperbole is effective only when it is obvious; do not lightly identify statements as hyperbole
3. Interpreting Figures of Speech
1. Become familiar with those things and practices which are commonly used in scriptural figures of speech
1. Bible history
2. Bible geography
3. Bible customs
4. Jewish religious practice
2. Discover the main point of comparison and be careful not to over-emphasize related details.  The fact that Christ comes as a thief in the night (Revelation 16:15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
   See All...) does not mean that all of the characteristics of a thief apply to him.  NOTE:  Many good sermons are based on extended development of a figure or symbol in scripture.  This is fine as long as the extended application is not substituted for the plain interpretation of the passage.
3. Remember that figurative language is for the purpose of clarification.  Therefore, the greatest asset in its interpretation apart from the Spirit of God is a generous application of common sense.
4. Be very careful in determining if a word or statement is figurative.  One of the most common errors in Bible interpretation is to take literal language as figurative or figurative language as literal.  Always start with the literal meaning.  If this meaning is absurd or completely out of context, apply the word or statement as a figure of speech.  However, always make sure that the figure illustrates according to the literal context of the passage. (study Hosea 7:1-9 [1] When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. [2] And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. [3] They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. [4] They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened. [5] In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners. [6] For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. [7] They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me. [8] Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. [9] Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
   See All... for an exercise in figurative language)
6. THE PRINCIPLE OF WORD ORDER
1. In the English language, the order of words in a passage often determines the meaning or emphasis of the passage.
2. Generally speaking, the last word or phrase in a statement carries the greatest emphasis (Psalm 14:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
   See All...; John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
   See All...; Romans 10:17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
   See All...)
3. In the same manner, the first word or phrase carries the second greatest emphasis (2 Samuel 12:7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 1:3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
   See All...; John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...)
4. Example
1. “Here I am” (Genesis 22:1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
   See All...) –emphasizes presence, availability
2. “Here am I” (Genesis 22:11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
   See All...) –emphasizes individual, personal relationship
7. THE PRINCIPLE OF LITERARY STRUCTURE
1. The  Internal Literary Structure of the Bible
1. Involves a structure of repetition of subjects within texts that is found throughout the entire Bible
2. The structure, as found in the Bible, is not seen in any other form of literature known to man (Human literature may have occasional examples but the Bible is so structured throughout.)
3. As such, it is one of the powerful proofs of the divine authorship of the Bible
4. One Study Bible, E. W. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, outlines the entire Bible in this manner.
2. The Structure Takes Two Forms and Combinations of Those Forms
1. Alternation
1. In alternation, subjects are repeated in the same order
2. Book of Jonah
1. First time
1. Commission (Jonah 1:1-2 [1] Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, [2] Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
   See All...)
2. Disobedience (Jonah 1:3)
3. Consequence (Jonah 1:4-17)
4. Prayer (Jonah 2:1-9)
5. Deliverance (Jonah 2:10)
2. Second time
1. Commission (Jonah 3:1-2)
2. Obedience (Jonah 3:3-4)
3. Consequences (Jonah 3:5-10)
4. Prayer (Jonah 4:1-3)
5. Correction (Jonah 4:4-11)
3. Proverbs 31:10-31 [10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. [11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. [12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. [13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. [15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. [16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. [17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. [18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. [19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. [20] She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. [21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. [22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. [23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. [24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. [25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. [26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. [27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. [28] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. [29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. [30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
   See All...
1. First time
1. Her husband (Proverbs 31:10-12 [10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. [11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. [12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
   See All...)
2. Her occupation (Proverbs 31:13-19 [13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. [15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. [16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. [17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. [18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. [19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
   See All...)
3. Her character (Proverbs 31:v.20)
4. Her household (Proverbs 31:21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
   See All...)
5. Herself (Proverbs 31:22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
   See All...-what she is on the outside)
2. Second time
1. Her husband (Proverbs 31:23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
   See All...)
2. Her occupation (Proverbs 31:24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
   See All...)
3. Her character (Proverbs 31:26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
   See All...)
4. Her household (Proverbs 31:27-28 [27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. [28] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
   See All...)
5. Herself (Proverbs 31:29-30 [29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. [30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
   See All...-what she is on the inside)
2. Introversion
1. In introversion, subjects are repeated in reverse order
2. Isaiah 6:10Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
   See All...
1. Forward
1. Heart
2. Ears
3. Eyes
2. Reverse
1. Heart
2. Ears
3. Eyes
3. 2 Kings 5:1-27 [1] Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. [2] And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. [3] And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. [4] And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. [5] And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. [6] And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. [7] And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. [8] And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. [9] So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. [10] And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. [11] But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. [12] Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. [13] And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? [14] Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. [15] And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. [16] But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. [17] And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD. [18] In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. [19] And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way. [20] But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. [21] So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? [22] And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. [23] And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. [24] And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. [25] But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. [26] And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? [27] The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
   See All...
1. Forward
1. Leprosy of Naaman. Providential. (2 Kings 5:1Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
   See All...)
2. Negotiation. Naaman and king of Israel. (2 Kings 5:2-8 [2] And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. [3] And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. [4] And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. [5] And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. [6] And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. [7] And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. [8] And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
   See All...)
3. Naaman’s visit to Elisha. (2 Kings 5:9So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
   See All...)
4. Elisha’s direction. Given. (2 Kings 5:10And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
   See All...)
5. Naaman. Resentment. (2 Kings 5:11-12 [11] But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. [12] Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
   See All...)
2. Reverse
1. Naaman. Compliance. (2 Kings 5:13And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
   See All...)
2. Elisha’s direction. Taken. (2 Kings 5:14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
   See All...)
3. Naaman’s return to Elisha (2 Kings 5:15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
   See All...)
4. Negotiations. Naaman with Elisha and Gehazi. (2 Kings 5:15-26 [15] And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. [16] But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. [17] And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD. [18] In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. [19] And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way. [20] But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. [21] So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? [22] And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. [23] And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. [24] And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. [25] But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. [26] And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
   See All...)
5. Leprosy of Gehazi. Judicial. (2 Kings 5:27The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
   See All...)
3. Combination
1. Many times, alternation and introversion are combined in varying ways
2. A glance through Bullinger’s Companion Bible will give many examples
8. THE PRINCIPLE OF TEXTUAL CONTEXT
1. Principle:  Biblical texts are closely connected to what proceeds them and to what follows them (especially within a book of the Bible).  Any individual verse or passage must be interpreted in the light of this textual context.
2. Applications of the Principle
1. Who is speaking?  The Bible may correctly quote someone who is saying something wrong.  Knowing the speaker may also tell you how to interpret what he is saying.  Consider the following texts.
1. Genesis 3:3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
   See All...
2. Job 4:7-9 [7] Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? [8] Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. [9] By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
   See All... with Job 42:7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
   See All...
3. Acts 5:38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
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2. Who is being addressed?  Notice to whom the words are addressed.  This may make a great difference as to the meaning of the passage.
1. John 8:31-47 [31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [33] They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. [35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. [36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. [37] I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. [38] I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. [39] They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. [41] Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. [42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. [44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. [45] And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. [46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? [47] He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
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