Exegesis is the critical interpretation of a Biblical text, to explore its meaning, significance and relevance.
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2answers
150 views
Paul's analysis of Abraham's “offspring(s)” in Galatians 3
In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he talks about (among other things) how God's promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Christ. Galatians 3:16 reads (in the NRSV; other translations may say "seed", ...
15
votes
3answers
246 views
How can the Son not know what the Father knows?
Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
Mark 13:32 (NLT)
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father ...
14
votes
4answers
479 views
Is it possible for a human to stop sinning? (Is X a sinner?) [closed]
It's a familiar tale.
The Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. They asked if she should be stoned. Jesus (after a bit) said "Let him that is without sin among you first cast the ...
14
votes
1answer
331 views
Why did Paul say “I am pure from the blood of all men”?
In Acts 20 Paul is saying his farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He is bringing to their memory the manner, in which he had spent all that time with them - in humility (Acts 20:19).
Then he says: "
...
10
votes
2answers
245 views
How could Jesus be surprised?
Matthew 8:5-10 (NLT)
5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”
7 Jesus ...
17
votes
2answers
419 views
Is Jesus lying in John 7?
In John 7, Jesus tells his brothers that he is not going up to the festival. Then he goes up in secret. Is this a lie? How is this reconciled?
John 7:6-10 (NIV)
6 Therefore Jesus told them, ...
6
votes
1answer
68 views
What is the significance of adding “fiery” to Ephesians 6:16?
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NLT)
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing ...
18
votes
5answers
814 views
Why is “elohim” translated as “God” and not “gods”? [closed]
I was looking at the Holman Christian Standard Bible and I saw that Elohim is plural. Were it to be translated plural it would read something like:
"In the beginning, gods created the heavens and ...
9
votes
2answers
274 views
Will curses have any impact or effect on Christians?
Christians believe that Jesus saved us by His blood. Since God is the only true God and through Jesus we have victory over Satan, it is claimed that we do not have to fear on curses.
But I hear many ...
8
votes
4answers
237 views
Why is the Bible subject to a high level of interpretation?
I realise there's always a level of interpretation neccesary when reading anything, but the level of interpretation needed to understand the Bible is very high when compared to everyday reading - some ...
5
votes
4answers
763 views
What does 'first estate' mean in Jude 1:6 (KJV)?
Jude 1:6 (emphasis mine):
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
...
7
votes
3answers
290 views
How valid is the JEDP theory?
The JEDP theory basically states that the first five books of the bible (the Pentatauch) were not written by a single person, but rather by four different people.
I'm trying to understand if this ...
8
votes
3answers
212 views
What is “sin that leads to death” in 1 John 5:16?
1 John 5:16 (NIV)
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There ...
18
votes
9answers
2k views
What is “The Parable of the Shrewd Manager” about?
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (full text below) is perhaps one of the hardest parables to interpret. At first glance it seems to be about rewarding dishonesty!
What lesson is Jesus teaching His ...
6
votes
2answers
132 views
Do Christian denominations vary in interpreting what is sinful or not?
I've noticed in some answers and comments the sentiment that whether an act is sinful or not is always cut-and-dried.
Does this mean that in all the ways the various denominations of Christianity ...
1
vote
1answer
409 views
Is Leviticus 14 describing a cure for leprosy?
It seems like a "cure" for leprosy that involves taking two birds, killing one and dipping the other in the blood of the first, then sprinkling the blood in a particular fashion, multiple times.
...
7
votes
5answers
646 views
How would a Christian explain the “contradiction” of homosexuality?
In the bible it is said many times that homosexuality is a sin, however love is the most imortant thing, and compassion is important as well; love your neighbour as yourself.
How would a Christian ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What does John 2:24 mean?
I have trouble understanding what John 2:24 and John 2:25 mean. Does anyone know what it means for Jesus to not "commit himself unto them"?
John 2:22-25 (KJV)
22 When therefore he was risen ...
10
votes
4answers
782 views
Why 'Seventy times seven'?
Twice in the bible, God makes reference to "seventy times seven" (or "seventy-seven times"). Once in Genesis 4:24 (dealing with Cain's punishment for his murder of Abel), and the other in Matthew ...
6
votes
2answers
164 views
Why did Ezekiel say that God gave laws to the people that were not good?
Ezekiel 20:23-25
23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; 24 Because they had not executed ...
14
votes
7answers
1k views
What does Matthew 5:27-30 (“Cast off your eye/hand/etc”) mean?
For reference, here's the text of Matthew 5:27-30:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already ...
26
votes
5answers
2k views
Who were the “giants” mentioned in the Bible?
I've come across several verses in the Bible that speak of "giants". For example:
Gen 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the ...
13
votes
1answer
104 views
Does the Bible itself give us clues about which parts to interpret literally and which figuratively?
I know that the question may seem a little bit self-referential but I ask it anyway:
There is often great controversy among Christians what parts of the Bible are to be interpreted literally and what ...
11
votes
4answers
138 views
Does the Bible give any reason as to why its content is sometimes difficult to interpret?
As evidenced by this site, and the divisions between various Christian denominations, there seems to be a lot of different ways some passages in the bible can be interpreted.
One example is ...
12
votes
8answers
6k views
What is the significance of Jesus seeing Nathanael under the fig tree?
In John 1:46-50, Nathanael is introduced to Jesus for the first time.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son ...
15
votes
3answers
353 views
What is the specific meaning of “die” in Genesis 2?
Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV):
16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you ...
12
votes
2answers
255 views
What does it mean to comment on scripture with scripture?
What does it mean to "comment on a verse with a verse" or "only scripture can explain scripture"? I see these kinds of comments popping up in comment threads that discuss the meaning of a verse.
What ...
12
votes
6answers
322 views
What does “in the image of God” mean?
Genesis 1:26:
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild ...
7
votes
1answer
140 views
Why was the mark of Cain necessary?
In Genesis 4:14-15 (NRSV) it says:
14 I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.’ 15 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Not so! Whoever kills Cain will ...
11
votes
4answers
249 views
Hebrew OT translation to Greek NT
Hebrews 10:5 (ESV) states
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
This is an ...
6
votes
3answers
274 views
Is there Biblical support for Hell?
One of the common tenets of Christian Universalism (as well as Annihilationism) is the non-existence of Hell as an eternal punishment for non-Christians, that everyone has been granted salvation ...
8
votes
3answers
154 views
Apparent Discrepancy in Mark 2:26
There seems to be an apparent discrepancy in Mark 2:26, Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for complaining that his disciples are picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath:
Mark 2:26
26 How he ...
24
votes
7answers
3k views
Why did Jesus protest before performing his first miracle?
In John 2:1-12 we read of Christ's first miracle, turning water into wine. Before he performs his miracle, though, he says to his mother:
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
What does “gates of hell” mean in Matthew 16:18?
Matthew 16:18 (KJV):
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I take it "gates of hell" is a ...
7
votes
1answer
212 views
What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:22?
Inspired by an answer to one of my other questions, what is the proper meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:22?
KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
NIV:
reject every kind of evil.
NKJV
...
8
votes
1answer
156 views
What is the scope of John 3:16?
I have never heard of any verse more quoted and memorized than this one. Many people know it without knowing a single other thing about Christianity.* If there was one verse we don't need to quote in ...
18
votes
2answers
257 views
How did Judas die?
Judas Iscariot committed suicide when he realized the evil that he had done.
Matthew 27:3-5 (KJV)
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, ...
9
votes
3answers
319 views
What is the non-abstract definition of love according to the Bible?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily ...
11
votes
1answer
259 views
Are these Bible verses referencing UFOs?
Ezekiel 1:16:
This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
Exodus 13:22:
...
16
votes
4answers
333 views
Was the flood of Noah global or local?
Genesis 7 and 8 describes the flood of Noah, and says in part:
The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, ...
26
votes
9answers
1k views
What is the specific meaning of “day” in Genesis 1?
In the Creation account in Genesis 1 (and 2), God's work of Creation is famously split into 7 "days". For example, the first "day" occurs in verse 5:
Genesis 1:5 (NLT)
God called the light "day" ...
24
votes
3answers
439 views
What is significant about the torn curtain?
When Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom:
Mark 15:38-39 (NIV)
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39
And when the centurion, who stood ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the biblical meaning of “sanctification”
I understand that sanctification is used as a post-reformational theological term to refer to the ongoing process of Christian growth.
But, biblically speaking, is this always what is meant? I know ...
13
votes
5answers
580 views
Blood transfusions and Christianity?
Inspired by this question, if we choose to allow a doctor to heal us, how far is too far?
In Lev 17:13-14:
13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any
animal or bird ...
19
votes
7answers
278 views
Who was Melchizedek
Melchizedek ("King of Justice" in Hebrew) is mentioned in Genesis 14 as receiving the dime from Abraham, and breaking bread with him:
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: ...
17
votes
5answers
3k views
What is the meaning of “Let the dead bury their dead”
In Mathew 8:21-23 says "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he ...
17
votes
2answers
807 views
Interpretation of the scripture “One Lord, one faith, one baptism?”
Ephesians 4:5 states there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Some Christians interpret this to mean that a single denomination (with its beliefs, doctrines, and practices) constitutes the "one ...
9
votes
4answers
699 views
What is the message of Matthew 9:5?
Matthew 9:1-8 (NIV)
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ...
11
votes
4answers
196 views
What guidelines or rules should be used when interpreting the Bible?
It seems that a lot of misunderstanding of the Bible comes from scripture being taken out of context. What are some other rules or guidelines for taking a literal or first interpretation (like 'Jesus ...
13
votes
3answers
263 views
Does God hate Sinners like he hates Sin?
I've heard it a thousand times, God loves the sinner but hates the sin. Recently I came across a verse in Psalms 5:5
Psalm 5:5 King James Version (KJV) 5The foolish shall not stand in
thy ...
