Lesson Description

In this lesson, we will learn why Bible verses must be read in their proper context. We will examine how the surrounding verses, the audience, the circumstances, and the purpose of a passage help us understand what Scripture is communicating.

1. What Is Context?

Context means the circumstances and surrounding information that help us understand a statement correctly.

When studying the Bible, context includes the verses before and after a passage, the chapter, the book, the original audience, and the subject being discussed.

A verse may be quoted correctly but still be misunderstood if it is separated from the point the writer was making.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Paul instructed Timothy to handle the word of truth correctly. This reminds us that reading Scripture requires care and attention.

We should not simply search for a verse that appears to support our opinion. We should examine what the passage actually teaches.

2. Read the Verses Before and After

One of the simplest ways to understand a Bible passage is to read the verses surrounding it.

Consider the following words of Jesus:

Matthew 7:1 (KJV)

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

If we read only this verse, we might conclude that Jesus forbids every kind of judgment or discernment.

However, the surrounding verses explain His teaching more fully.

Matthew 7:3–5 (KJV)

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

Jesus addresses hypocrisy: a person must deal with their own fault rather than hypocritically focusing on another person’s fault.

The context helps us see that His words challenge hypocritical judgment, not the need for all discernment.

Remember: Before explaining a verse, read the surrounding passage.

3. Identify Who Is Speaking and Who Is Being Addressed

The Bible contains words spoken by God, Jesus Christ, prophets, apostles, and other people. The person speaking and the audience receiving the message are important.

For example, a command given to a particular person during a historical event is not automatically a universal command to every believer.

We must ask:

• Who is speaking?

• To whom are they speaking?

• What situation are they addressing?

• Is the passage giving a command, recording an event, making a promise, or explaining a truth?

These questions help us distinguish the original meaning from assumptions we might bring to the text.

4. Understand the Subject Being Discussed

We must also consider the main subject of a passage. Taking a verse away from its subject can cause us to give it a meaning the writer did not intend.

For example, when Paul discusses the law, sin, grace, faith, or the believer’s identity in Christ, we must follow his argument rather than building a teaching from one isolated sentence.

Romans 6:14 (KJV)

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

To understand this verse, we should read the surrounding chapter and see how Paul explains sin, grace, and the believer’s relationship to them.

We should not use the phrase “under grace” to ignore the rest of Paul’s teaching, nor should we use other passages to erase what Paul clearly says here. We must allow Scripture to be understood in its full argument.

5. Do Not Force a Verse to Support Your Opinion

Sometimes people begin with a belief and then search for verses that appear to support it. This can lead to misunderstanding when the verses are removed from their context.

A better approach is to begin with the passage itself. Read it carefully, consider its audience and purpose, and compare your interpretation with the surrounding teaching.

If a passage challenges what we previously believed, we should be willing to examine our understanding rather than changing the meaning of the text to protect our opinion.

Our goal is not to make Scripture agree with us. Our goal is to understand what Scripture actually says.

Practical Example

Imagine receiving a message that says, “You are not allowed to do that.”

If you read only those words, you may think the instruction applies to everything you do. But the full message might say, “You are not allowed to do that while the machine is running.”

The additional information changes how you understand the instruction.

In the same way, reading the surrounding verses can clarify what a Bible passage means and prevent us from drawing conclusions that the text does not support.

Remember

Never build your understanding of a Bible passage on isolated words alone. Read the surrounding verses, identify the speaker and audience, understand the subject, and follow the writer’s argument. Context helps us handle the word of truth accurately.