Testing your Previous Commitment to Context

Testing your Previous Commitment to Context is from Dr. Jack Hughes' website Driven Nails.

Almost everyone who has been a Christian for any length of time has been encouraged, exhorted, or admonished to observe the context when studying the Bible. When dealing with the cults you have to become a champion of context in order to show them why what they are saying is not true. Below are list of ten well known verses. See which ones you know the context of.

  1. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

    1. Who is speaking to whom?

    2. What is being discussed?

    3. When is this happening?

  1. Eph. 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

    1. Who is the author?

    2. What has he just said in the previous 7 verses?

    3. What does vs. 10 say?

  1. Psa. 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

    1. Who is speaking?

    2. What is he speaking about?

  1. Prov. 23:7 "For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

    1. Who is speaking about what situation?

  1. Matt. 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

    1. Who is speaking to whom about what? How does this verse fit with the preceding context?

  1. II Chron. 7:14 "[if] and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

    1. Who is speaking to whom, about what, and when?

  1. Psa. 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

    1. What is the near context both before and after this text talking about?

  1. Mt. 7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

    1. Who is speaking?

    2. What is He speaking about?

    3. Is this a universal command never to judge?

  1. Rom. 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

    1. What is the preceding context of Rom. 8 talking about?

    2. What is the following context of Rom. 8 talking about?

    3. What does Rom. 9 talk about?

  1. II Pet. 3:8 “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.”

    1. What is the near context both before and after talking about?