Biblical Exegesis

Exegesis is essential in biblical study because it allows us to correctly interpret the Scriptures, understanding what the text truly says in its original context. This protects us from imposing our own ideas or personal biases onto the text (eisegesis) and helps us discover the true message that the author and God intended to convey.

What is Exegesis?

Exegesis is the process of analyzing and explaining a text, particularly in the Bible, to understand its original meaning. The word “exegesis” comes from Greek and means “to extract” or “to explain.” In simple terms, when we practice exegesis, we try to discover what the biblical author meant to say to the people living in their time. This involves studying the cultural context, language, customs, and historical circumstances surrounding the text. Exegesis helps us correctly interpret the Scriptures without imposing our own ideas or beliefs onto the text. It’s like using a magnifying glass to carefully observe what the text says, rather than quickly reading and jumping to conclusions. For example, if you read a parable of Jesus, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan, practicing exegesis means investigating why the Samaritans were despised in that time and how that influences the message of the story. Exegesis is important because it ensures that our understanding of the Bible is based on what it truly says, not on what we want it to say.

Structure of an Exegetical Study

In this example structure, we use 1 Corinthians 13 to demonstrate the process and outcomes of exegesis.

• Historical and Cultural Context
  1 Corinthians 13 is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.
  Corinth was a major Greek city known for its cultural diversity but also for its moral problems.
  It was a Greco-Roman society.

The term “Greco-Roman” refers to the fusion of the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, describing a blend of values, institutions, customs, and political, social, and religious systems of the Greek and Roman civilizations, which mutually influenced each other and shaped a shared culture:

• Philosophy and Thought: The Greco-Roman society adopted Greek philosophy (Plato, Aristotle, etc.), which influenced the development of logical and scientific thought in Rome.
• Law and Government: The Roman legal system, based on civil law, integrated Greek ideas of democracy and citizenship.
• Religion: Roman religion was heavily influenced by Greek gods and myths, although with different names and some variations (e.g., Zeus in Greece was Jupiter in Rome).
• Art and Architecture: Roman architecture, famous for its arches and aqueducts, adopted and expanded the principles of symmetry and proportion developed by the Greeks.

The church in Corinth faced internal conflicts, divisions, and misuse of spiritual gifts.
In the previous chapters (1 Corinthians 12), Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts and how each member of the body of Christ has an important role. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul pauses to emphasize that without love, the use of spiritual gifts is in vain. Greco-Roman society was steeped in concepts of power, status, and competition. Paul’s call for sacrificial and selfless love was countercultural and challenging for the Corinthians, who were more focused on displaying spiritual gifts as a sign of spiritual superiority.

2. Textual Analysis
   1 Corinthians 13 is divided into three main sections:

• Verses 1-3: The necessity of love. Paul begins by saying that any spiritual gift or ability, no matter how impressive (speaking in tongues, prophecy, knowledge, generosity), is useless without love. He uses metaphors like “resounding brass” or “clanging cymbal” to illustrate that without love, everything becomes empty noise. Here, Paul teaches us that love is the essential motivation behind any spiritual gift.
• Verses 4-7: The characteristics of love. Paul describes love using a series of verbs and qualities: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud…” Each of these describes the behavior and attitude that believers should have. Love is patient, kind, and does not seek its own interests. True love, according to Paul, is not selfish or easily angered but endures and always seeks the best for others. These qualities show that love is active and practical, not just a feeling.
• Verses 8-13: The permanence of love. Paul concludes by affirming that spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, will cease one day, but love will last forever. Love, along with faith and hope, is eternal, but the greatest of these is love. This contrast shows the supremacy of love over any other gift or ability because while the gifts are temporary and useful only in this life, love is the essence of Christian character that endures into eternity.

3. Literary Context
   The theme of love is strategically placed between two sections on spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12 and 14).
   Paul wants to emphasize that gifts, while important for building up the church, are meaningless if not accompanied by love, and that love is what should motivate the use of gifts, not the desire for display or competition. This directly connects to the problems of division the Corinthians were facing, where many were competing for prestige and spiritual recognition.

3. Theology of the Passage
   This passage highlights that love is central in the Christian life, both in the relationship with God and with others.
   The love Paul describes is “agape” love, which is sacrificial, unconditional, and selfless, reflecting God’s love for humanity and serving as the foundation for all Christian behavior.
   Jesus taught that loving God and one’s neighbor are the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).
   Love is the ultimate expression of faith, and any spiritual manifestation without love is ineffective.

3. Modern Application
   The teaching that love is greater than any other gift or ability is crucial for the modern church, especially in a world that values achievements and success over virtues of character.
   It challenges us to evaluate our motivations behind our actions.
   It reminds us that regardless of our abilities or ministries, if we do not act with love, our actions are of no real value.
   This also applies to how we treat others.
   Patience, kindness, humility, and the absence of envy are countercultural in a society that often promotes competition and personal success.
   We are called to live differently, reflecting God’s unconditional love in everything we do.

3. Conclusion
   Love is the supreme virtue in Christian life.
   Paul teaches us that without love, spiritual gifts are useless and that love is the essence of God’s character and eternal life.
   The call to love with patience, kindness, and selflessness remains relevant today, reminding us that what matters most is not what we do, but how and why we do it.
   Living with genuine love is the way to reflect God’s heart to the world.