What Happens When You Take the Bible Out of Context?

There are many pitfalls when it comes to interpreting Scripture. A lot of people have made mistakes and ended up with disastrous results. Some misunderstood the original language of the Bible—whether Greek or Hebrew—and jumped the gun, starting entire movements based on misinterpretations.

For example, there was a movement called the Sinless Perfection Movement. They read the passage where the Apostle Paul said, “We have crucified the flesh.” However, they didn’t understand that the Greek term implies a one-time event that continues throughout our lives. It means we crucified the flesh when we came to Christ, but we must keep on crucifying it daily. We never “arrive” spiritually until we are in heaven.

The Bible also says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” So how can anyone claim sinless perfection?

Be very careful to understand the language of the Bible.

Secondly, don’t take a single verse and run with it out of context. Many people have made that mistake. Some even say, “I’ll just open the Bible, and whatever verse my eyes land on—that’s the verse for me today.” But Scripture isn’t a lottery. You need to read the Bible consistently, daily, and in its entirety.

Always ask yourself these questions:

-Who were the original readers?
-What was the author trying to communicate to them?
-What issues or problems were being addressed?

For example, the Apostle Paul was often answering specific questions sent to him by the churches, like the one in Corinth. Understanding the context of those questions is essential.

Again, don’t isolate a verse. Read it in its full context. Only after doing that should you apply it to your own life. But don’t start by asking, “What does this mean to me?” That can easily lead you astray.

Instead, ask:

-Why was it written?
-What is the context?
-How can I rightly apply this truth today?

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Originally published by Leading the Way Ministries. Used with permission.