Context Is Key To Understanding

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(1) My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – (3) indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, (4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, (5) then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.’ (Proverbs 2:1-5)

Context requires information or knowledge about a particular subject or situation.  We all sometimes make snap judgements on what we initially see or hear and that becomes our perception of that subject or situation and may not change until we gain more information.  If you see a vase broke on the floor, and a cat standing next to it, you will likely go with the assumption that the cat broke the vase.  The poor cat will take the brunt of the finger-waving and berating until the dog emerges with the flowers that were in the vase in his mouth.  (The cat could have set up the dog so the dog would take the heat, but that’s for a future Word-of-the-Day on conspiracy theories.)

When we read Scriptures, we have to also take in context what was meant at the time the Scriptures were written.  Some well-quoted Scriptures can be taken out of context.  In the case of Philippians 4:13 (‘I can do all this through <Jesus> who gives me strength’) some misinterpret this as being Christians should or will be able to accomplish and do all things and try burning ‘both ends of the candle’ in doing work for the Lord, becoming tired and wonder why they spin their wheels.   This leads to discouragement and some fall away from serving the Lord because of this.  As one commentator once said of this verse, ‘this does not mean the Christian can go to the gym and suddenly press 500 pounds over their head by quoting Philippians 4:13’.   

The context of the verse, as Paul wrote it, is a bit different; it is Paul stating that no matter the situation, God is in control and he can persevere knowing Jesus is with him.  Paul was in prison, and in his situation found contentment and ways to serve the Lord.  He did not try to escape or pine away at wishing he was a free man but found he could live and even flourish as a prisoner in chains, for the cause of Christ.

I try to be careful when doing the Word-of-the-Day to either use or give a brief synopsis of the context that the Scriptures was written for at the time it was written.  I like to back up what I provide with some background so we have all the information of the verse.  We should also take the same approach with ‘real-life’ events, especially in today’s societal and political climate.  With biased news reporting, the ‘truth’ is not always ‘truthful’.  It may be beneficial to get information from multiple sources of varying persuasions, in order to get a complete picture. 

I always urge all of you who attend church or read this blog to not just take it, or a sermon, or a soundbite, as ‘Truth’ until doing some research on the topic for yourself; a more in-depth study of the Scriptures may clarify the message.  The more information, the more the subject is put into context and understanding.