How can historical context help you in studying the Bible?
How many times do we read this in light of 1 and 2, but miss 3? Usually when we read the Bible, we read silently to ourselves. But does this verse say that we aren't blessed for reading this to ourselves? Back when this letter was written, letters were a precious commodity. When a church was to receive a letter, they read it aloud to the church because they didn't have printers or scanners to give a copy to each person so that they could read on their own. Another reason that the Scriptures were read aloud is that the Jewish Christians were used to Scriptures being read aloud during Synagogue. Not to mention that this letter was due to be delivered to the seven churches in Asia Minor so that they had to keep it in their hearts as the letter made its rounds.
Keep in Mind: This historical context did not come from the Bible: this was more common sense that letters were valuable and were read aloud and history and the Gospels tell us that the material is read aloud.
When we read 2 Timothy, part of what we need to remember that Paul was a prisoner of Rome for preaching the Word of God. (2:9) Almost all of his close friends had deserted him (4:10-18) except for Luke. (4:11) Why does Paul ask for Timothy to come soon? Well, we knew that he was going to die soon. (4:6-8) People have called 2 Timothy Paul's "Swan Song", where at the end of life, everything that a person considered important comes into sharper and clearer focus. Why did he call Timothy to come to him even quicker than before? Because he wanted to see him before he died! Why before winter? Because in olden days, before we had airplanes and cars, sea was the best way to travel. Most trade routes and merchants closed at Winter because of the difficulty in passing due to ice and snow. If Timothy did not come quickly, he would miss his opportunity to see Paul before he was martyred.
Keep in Mind: This was a mixture of common sense context (winter travel) and Biblical context (why did he want Timothy to see him?)
"During the time of the judges" places the timing of the Book of Ruth. What does that mean? That means two women were traveling alone in the time where "everybody did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25) They were even traveling from the land of Moab BACK into the land of Judah where the sinfulness was high. Think about that! Two women left to their own devices in Judah. That already gives a whole lot of context.
Keep in Mind: This context was found within the verse itself.
What does this mean for a Bible scholar? Well, knowing the context gives us a greater insight into the verse or passage. Plus, it helps it come alive and then the Scriptures don't become stale to you. Plus, it helps it become less of a disjointed story and it helps it come together more and more and you can see the Scriptures in line with one another as a grand story instead of 66 Books.
We have to remember that the context can come from our knowledge of history, our study of the Scriptures or careful reading of the verse itself. How can you tell? Read the Letters in as large chunks as possible and let the context of the entire Letter dictate the rest. Read the Acts knowing that the history was only detailing the beginning of the church and not a comprehensive study of Paul or any of the disciples. Read the Old Testament, or post-Crucifixion stories with a Biblical map. Read the Revelation in light of the totally evil Empire reigning over Christians. Don't dissect verses down when you read - reach out to gain a grander idea of scale.
Revelation 1:3: Blessed is the one who reads and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near!
How many times do we read this in light of 1 and 2, but miss 3? Usually when we read the Bible, we read silently to ourselves. But does this verse say that we aren't blessed for reading this to ourselves? Back when this letter was written, letters were a precious commodity. When a church was to receive a letter, they read it aloud to the church because they didn't have printers or scanners to give a copy to each person so that they could read on their own. Another reason that the Scriptures were read aloud is that the Jewish Christians were used to Scriptures being read aloud during Synagogue. Not to mention that this letter was due to be delivered to the seven churches in Asia Minor so that they had to keep it in their hearts as the letter made its rounds.
Keep in Mind: This historical context did not come from the Bible: this was more common sense that letters were valuable and were read aloud and history and the Gospels tell us that the material is read aloud.
2 Timothy 4:9, 21: Make every effort to see me soon. [...] Make every effort to come see me before winter.[...]
When we read 2 Timothy, part of what we need to remember that Paul was a prisoner of Rome for preaching the Word of God. (2:9) Almost all of his close friends had deserted him (4:10-18) except for Luke. (4:11) Why does Paul ask for Timothy to come soon? Well, we knew that he was going to die soon. (4:6-8) People have called 2 Timothy Paul's "Swan Song", where at the end of life, everything that a person considered important comes into sharper and clearer focus. Why did he call Timothy to come to him even quicker than before? Because he wanted to see him before he died! Why before winter? Because in olden days, before we had airplanes and cars, sea was the best way to travel. Most trade routes and merchants closed at Winter because of the difficulty in passing due to ice and snow. If Timothy did not come quickly, he would miss his opportunity to see Paul before he was martyred.
Keep in Mind: This was a mixture of common sense context (winter travel) and Biblical context (why did he want Timothy to see him?)
Ruth 1:1 During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to live in the land of Moab for a while.
"During the time of the judges" places the timing of the Book of Ruth. What does that mean? That means two women were traveling alone in the time where "everybody did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25) They were even traveling from the land of Moab BACK into the land of Judah where the sinfulness was high. Think about that! Two women left to their own devices in Judah. That already gives a whole lot of context.
Keep in Mind: This context was found within the verse itself.
What does this mean for a Bible scholar? Well, knowing the context gives us a greater insight into the verse or passage. Plus, it helps it come alive and then the Scriptures don't become stale to you. Plus, it helps it become less of a disjointed story and it helps it come together more and more and you can see the Scriptures in line with one another as a grand story instead of 66 Books.
We have to remember that the context can come from our knowledge of history, our study of the Scriptures or careful reading of the verse itself. How can you tell? Read the Letters in as large chunks as possible and let the context of the entire Letter dictate the rest. Read the Acts knowing that the history was only detailing the beginning of the church and not a comprehensive study of Paul or any of the disciples. Read the Old Testament, or post-Crucifixion stories with a Biblical map. Read the Revelation in light of the totally evil Empire reigning over Christians. Don't dissect verses down when you read - reach out to gain a grander idea of scale.
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