Guide for Writing an Exegesis

On a Biblical Passage

 

A.  Initial Approach

 

      1.   Context.

 

            Locate your pericope both within theimmediate context of the basic division of the book and the overall structuralunits of the book. You may have to read a couple of chapters to get the senseof the functions of the pericope in the wider unit. Look for key words andtransitions in making your determination of the parameters of the pericope.This assumes you are familiar with the general features of the document in whichyour passage occurs, including historical issues [authorship, audience, date,and occasion of composition, historical setting, etc.]. Also it presumes someacquaintance with the literary characteristics of the book or letter [genre,compositional structure, stylistic features, etc.] and theological concerns[distinct themes such as faith, sin, covenant etc., perspectives, andemphases]. Consult good introductions, commentaries, and Bible dictionaries ifyou have a need to supplement your basic knowledge in this area.

 

      2.   Paraphrase.

 

            Write out a preliminary paraphrase ofyour pericope. If you have knowledge of Greek and Hebrew this will involvetranslating the passage. If your facility in the original language(s) of thetext is limited, get the most literal translation (NASV) and then check it witha number of other translations. Do not merely copy the standard translation.Expand and fill it out. [Look for the basic idea of the text. What is theauthor really trying to say?]

 

      3.   Textual Variants.

     

            Checkfor any substantial textual variants. End up with your final text. This maybring the first of several modifications of your paraphrase. Every step in theprocess could mean a modification of your paraphrase. Record points thatdeepen, modify or give additional insight to your paraphrase.

 

      4.   Fundamental Issue.

 

            Now, please ask yourself why you wish tounderstand the passage more fully and what information you are looking for inthe text. Come to the text with a set of questions (historical, literary, aboveall theological). Distill these down, if possible, to a fundamental question ofwhich the others may be subsets. This is important because it will provide afocus for your exegesis as you move through your passage. Remember that youneed to be open to the idea that your exegesis may show that your text does notaddress your question directly but is primarily concerned about something else.This is good. It shows that you are ÒlisteningÓ to the text and not telling itwhat you think it should say.

 

B.  Analysis of the Text.

 

            Youare now ready to proceed into a full-scale analysis of the passage: theexegesis itself. As noted above, there is no predetermined set of mechanicalsteps to follow as one might find in a manual on fixing automobiles. Rather,the image of the exegete may be likened to a surgeon carrying out very delicatebrain surgery. It is as much an art as it is a procedure. However, certainfactors must be taken into consideration. These will be noted below.

 

      1.   Literary Form or Genre.

 

            It is always helpful to know whatparticular literary form you are working with. Sometimes this is fairly obvious(Col 1:15-20 is a hymn or Matt 13:1-8 is a parable). Most good commentarieswill give you information about these literary forms and where these may bevariations from the norm in your particular unit. Sometimes this can be veryhandy information. Sometimes it is more difficult to determine in whatparticular form or genre a unit is instantiated. For example, Eph 1:3-14 isusually but not always identified as a Eulogy. You may have to read acommentary to get the necessary information.

 

      2.   Word List.

 

            Make a list of the theologicallysignificant words and phrases in your unit. Focus especially on those words andphrases that may be pertinent to the specific issue you have underconsideration. For examples, you may be working with Rom 3:21-31. Yourfundamental issue in examining this text is to ask what it is saying aboutatonement. You come across the Greek word Hilasterion ÒExpiation.Ó Immediately you would check other translations and theGreek dictionaries (lexica).At this point you will need to put in your notes some suggested changes foryour paraphrase. Probably, you want to find out where this word is usedelsewhere in the Bible. You will do this by means of concordances. Some of thecomputerized Bible search material is excellent, especially the Accordanceprogram from Gramcord. Traditional printed concordances are also available.Handy checklists are marginal notes in the Nestle Text (Greek) or notes in agood study Bible. If you are working in a Gospel you may check parallels on thesame unit by means of a synopsis/ Finally you may want to look at the uses ofthis word throughout the ancient world: Theological word books on the Old andNew Testaments (e.g., Botterweck/Ringgren, Kittel, Colin Brown, and Spicq) areessential.

 

      3.   Grammar and Syntax.  

 

            Afteryou have looked at the key words it will then be necessary for you to look atthe syntax of the passage (i.e. the way the words are put together). Lookcarefully at such things as the tenses of the verbs, the structures of thesentences, and the connections among phrases and clauses. Be alert to find anunusual construction in the grammar or syntax. The Idiom Book of NT Greek by CFD Moule, ZerwickÕs Analysis ofthe Greek NT, and the LinguisticKey to the Greek NT byReinecker and Rogers are helpful to note on these matters beside thecommentaries or exegetical studies. (With respect to the latter you can findreference to them in O.T. and N.T. abstracts or on Religion indices in thelibrary.)

 

      4.   Use of Critical Methodologiesdeveloped for the study of History or Literature.

 

            Sometimes in a passage there will be aquote or echo from an O.T. passage or, in the case of the gospel parallels,from another gospel account. Information is available that can help you findout where that quote or ÒtraditionÓ came from, how it was originally used, andwhat it is doing in your unit. Remember, tradition can come in either oral or writtenform. Be warned. This is one of the most complex areas of biblical study.Enormous efforts have been expended here. Now that you have moved to the heartof what, in the past two centuries, was called historical criticism. Thetechniques used by biblical scholars in this area have often been borrowed fromhistorians or literary critics. Considerable caution needs to be exercised bythe Christian exegete in using these methods. By and large our focus will be todiscover what the author of your text intended to do by the use of thismaterial.

 

      5.   Other Interpretations:Commentaries

 

            Timespent in this area will probably cause you to add many more notes. Besides themajor commentaries, encyclopedia articles and journals continue to proliferate.It is often instructive not only to read interpretations from the most recentcommentary but also to take a look at some of the great commentaries fromearlier eras in the church.

 

C.  Synthesis of Research

 

You are now readyto put all of your information together. You may do this in several ways(outlines, summaries, thesis statements, etc.). We suggest the followingprocedure.

 

      1.   Write a paragraph that states in anopening sentence what the point of the passage is, how it interconnects withthe context of the wider unit, and what is the overall theological thrust ofthe unit.

 

      2.   Then write a second paragraphshowing how your conclusions illuminate both the overall argument of the bookand fit into or interrelate with the general pattern of biblical teaching.

 

      3.   You may conclude with a third andfinal paragraph on what (if anything) the passage has to say about yourfundamental question or issue that you have now determined it to be all about.

 

      4.   Make a final check of yourparaphrase to see that it coheres with the results of your research.

 

D.  Application

 

            Now you are ready to write the exegesisor to utilize this text for teaching a class or preaching. Remember we considerthat no exegesis is complete without some suggestions for application, even ifonly for a written report.

 

E.   Writing the Exegesis

 

      1.   The goal of your paper should be todescribe as clearly and concisely as you can what the passage says and what itmust have meant to its original readers.

 

      2.   Use the results of your research asa ÒlibraryÓ from which to draw information as needed to explain the passage toyour reader. You will not necessarily use all of the information you gatheredin your research.

 

      3.   The organization of the paper willdepend somewhat on the nature of the passage being interpreted. The followingis suggested as one good approach:

 

a.   Provide an introduction statingbriefly (a) what you believe to be the central focus of the passage and (b) howyou plan to demonstrate this in the course of the paper.

 

b.   Support your thesis about thecentral focus by means of an organized discussion of the passage.

 

(1) Explainthe context in which the passage occurs.

(2) Identify the form and structure of the passage.

(3) Discuss the passage section by section, showing how everything works together to make the central point as you have identified it.

(4) Indicate how the point of focus in your passageis related to overall concerns of the document in which it occurs.

 

c.   Summarize your findings and commentbriefly on the implications of the passage for contemporary theology and preaching or for related areas of research.

 

F.   Common Mistakes to Avoid

 

      1.   Avoid simply reporting what othershave said about the passage or in some other way showing too heavy dependenceon secondary sources. You must wrestle with the issues presented by the passageyourself. Other interpreters should function only as critical discussionpartners. (For this reason, it is wise to do your own preliminary work withprimary tools before consulting secondary sources.)

 

      2.   Avoid the temptation to allow theobject of description to become something other than the passage itself (e.g.some related topic or matter of personal interest, the steps of your research,etc.).

 

      3.   Avoid the tendency to misconstrueexegesis as a series of disconnected verse-by-verse notations or a series ofÒword studies.Ó Words (and verses) have meaning only in relation to otherlinguistic units in a particular context. Do not discuss the various componentsof a text in isolation from each other; show how they work together to make acentral point.

 

      4.   Avoid Òmajoring on minors.Ó Let thepassage itself determine what is central and what is peripheral. Devote themost attention to the features of the passage that are most central (e.g. do notdevote half of your paper to a relatively insignificant variant or side issue).

 

      5.   Avoid sermonizing or moralizing. Agood sermon followscareful exegesis. Do not put the cart before the horse.

 

      6.   Avoid errors in grammar andpunctuation, spelling and form. Review your paper before you turn it in. (Theauthor, not the typist, bears final responsibility for any errors.)

 

      7.   Avoid procrastination. Beginworking on the paper long before the deadline so that your comments on thepassage will reflect the mature judgment of unhurried reflection.