Speaker or writer
Knowing who is speaking helps us understand their purpose, circumstances and relationship to the people receiving the message.
Go Deeper
Language & Meaning
Understand biblical and theological language through Scripture, context, history and careful interpretation.
Explore the original-language and biblical context behind important words, moving beyond familiar definitions to understand how they function within Scripture.
Why context matters
Biblical language makes more sense in context.
The Bible contains names, ideas and expressions written in different languages, cultures and historical settings. Understanding where they appear, who was speaking and what was happening helps us read them more carefully.
Select a question to see why each part of the context matters.
Original audience
A message may respond to the circumstances, questions or culture of a particular group. Knowing the audience helps us understand why it was said.
Historical setting
Political events, cultural customs, conflict, exile, worship practices and everyday life can all affect how a passage would have been understood.
Immediate passage
The surrounding sentences help show which meaning is intended. A familiar expression may function differently depending on the argument, story or teaching around it.
Wider Scripture
A passage belongs to a larger biblical story. Comparing related passages can help us understand how an idea develops without separating it from the rest of Scripture.
What you will explore
Go beyond the definition.
A familiar verse
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
What does “all things” refer to in the surrounding passage?
Which interpretation fits the passage?
There is no penalty for choosing. Select an answer to compare it with the surrounding context.
Select either interpretation to reveal the contextual reading.
A familiar reading
This meaning has been brought into the passage.
This interpretation begins with a modern idea about achievement, ambition or limitless potential and places that idea onto the verse. This approach is often called eisegesis.
Where this reading leads
The reader begins with a preferred idea and moves progressively further away from the message Paul was communicating.
01
My preferred message
02
A verse used to support it
03
The original message becomes obscured
Questions that expose the drift
01
What did I bring to the passage?
What desire, assumption or cultural message did I begin with?
02
What did the passage become?
Did the verse become support for my ambition, preference or desired outcome?
03
What was left behind?
What surrounding details had to be ignored for this interpretation to work?
04
Where does this reading lead?
Does it direct attention towards Christ and the writer’s message, or mainly towards what I want?
What has been overlooked?
- Paul is discussing contentment.
- He describes both abundance and need.
- He mentions being well fed and being hungry.
- The passage is about endurance in changing circumstances, not guaranteed achievement.
Why it matters
Eisegesis can make Scripture sound like us. Instead of allowing the passage to challenge and redirect us, we make it repeat what we already believe or want.
Eisegesis
Reading into the passage
Beginning with our own assumptions and making the passage support them.
In this example
A modern message about unlimited personal achievement is placed onto Philippians 4:13 while Paul’s teaching about contentment through abundance and need is pushed aside.
Recognise the drift
Is the interpretation moving away from the passage?
These questions can reveal when our assumptions have taken control of the reading.
01
What belief, desire or cultural message did I bring to the passage?
02
Which surrounding details have I ignored?
03
Am I using the verse to support a conclusion I had already chosen?
04
Does this reading centre on Christ and the writer’s message, or mainly on what I want?
Eisegesis asks Scripture to support the life I already want. The passage becomes quieter while my preferred message becomes louder.
The contextual reading
This meaning is drawn from the passage.
This interpretation begins with the surrounding verses and asks what Paul was communicating to his original readers. Drawing meaning from the passage in this way is called exegesis.
Where this reading leads
The reader begins with the passage, follows its message and is directed towards Christ and faithful response.
01
The passage in context
02
The writer’s intended message
03
Christ is seen more clearly
04
The reader is invited to respond
Questions that take us deeper
01
What does the passage reveal?
What is the writer actually communicating within the surrounding verses?
02
What does it reveal about Christ?
How does the passage direct attention towards Christ’s character, work, strength or promises?
03
How does it correct or reshape me?
What assumption, desire or expectation might need to change?
04
How should I respond?
What would trusting, obeying or depending on Christ look like here?
What does the context show?
- Paul had experienced both need and abundance.
- He had learned contentment in either condition.
- Christ gave him strength to endure faithfully.
- “All things” refers to the circumstances Paul had just described.
Why it matters
Reading from the passage helps us receive the encouragement, correction or teaching the writer was actually communicating. It allows Scripture to reshape our assumptions rather than merely confirm them.
Exegesis
Reading from the passage
Beginning with the passage and allowing its language and context to guide the meaning.
In this example
Paul’s references to hunger, abundance, need and contentment show that Christ strengthens him to remain faithful in every circumstance—not to guarantee the success of every ambition.
Seek the Spirit’s help
Read prayerfully, carefully and with a willingness to be corrected.
Christians believe the Holy Spirit helps readers understand, receive and respond to Scripture. His guidance does not replace the passage or create a private meaning. He helps us listen humbly, recognise Christ and respond faithfully to what the text communicates.
01
Before reading
What assumptions am I bringing?
02
While reading
What does the passage actually reveal?
03
After reading
How is this directing me towards Christ and faithful response?
Read with humility
Allow Scripture to reveal, correct and lead.
These questions help us move deeper into the message rather than use the passage to confirm what we already think.
01
What does the passage reveal within its surrounding context?
02
What does it show about Christ, His character or His work?
03
What assumption, desire or expectation might need to change?
04
What would trusting, obeying or depending on Christ look like here?
Exegesis allows Scripture to reveal Christ more clearly, correct my assumptions and reshape the way I understand and live.
One phrase, several connected terms
One phrase can open a wider theological language.
Born Again · Born From Above · New Birth · Regeneration
Jesus speaks of being born again or born from above. New birth describes the beginning of new spiritual life, while regeneration is the theological term commonly used for God’s work of making a person new.