2. THE PHILOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE
Philology: Study of Language
1. Ordinary rules for interpreting
literature apply to the Bible.
2. A knowledge of biblical languages is
important for exegesis.
3. LITERAL INTERPRETATION
“Taking words in their usual meaning
without exaggeration or imagination.”
• As used in ordinary conversation.
• Literal Meaning = Judge for ALL other
meanings.
• Non-literal = Allegory, Metaphorical,
Mystical.
4. LITERAL INTERPRETATION
“Eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink His blood” (John 6:53)
• Does not imply cannibalism.
• “A passage may sometimes have a
nonliteral meaning, but will always
have a literal meaning.”
5. LITERAL INTERPRETATION & INSPIRATION
• Verbal inspiration does not dictate
literal interpretation.
• Verbal inspiration has to do with the
origin and authorship.
• Literal interpretation has to do with
language.
6. ETYMOLOGY: THE STUDY OF WORDS
• The Root Meaning of a Word.
• Example: Philosophy (philos + sophia)
• Meaning: “The love of wisdom”
• Condemnation: with + damnation
– Katadrima: according + judgment
7. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WORDS
• Different ways words are used in
Scripture.
• Krino means “judge”
•
•
•
•
“And if someone wants to sue you…”
“Do not judge or you too will be…”
“Why don’t you judge for yourselves…”
“…I am on trial before you today.”
8. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WORDS
• Some English words are used to
translate different Greek words.
• The English word “Judge” is used for:
– Krino: “final judgment”
– Anakrino: “preliminary judgment”
– Diakrino: “discern”
9. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WORDS
“The spiritual man makes judgments
about all things…” (preliminary)
“I care very little if I am judged…”
(preliminary)
“Therefore judge nothing before the
appointed time…” (final)
10. CULTURAL STUDY OF WORDS
The meaning of the word in its primary
historical setting.
“If someone forces you to go one mile,
go with him two miles.” Matthew 5:41
11. ANCIENT TRANSLATIONS
Develops an understanding of how
those historically and culturally
“closer” to the original text
understood words used in the Bible.
12. THE STUDY OF GRAMMAR
The Makeup of a Language
Analytical: Word order is very important
(English & Hebrew)
Synthetic: Word endings or case
endings are more important (Greek)
13. CONTEXT
• What proceeds and follows a word,
statement or passage.
• Words and verses taken out of context
are being assigned meanings which
were not originally intended.
14. CONTEXT
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are
God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in
you? (1 Cor 3:16)
Context: the Body of Christ
“Do you not know that your body is a temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you.” (1 Cor
6:19)
Context: a Person’s Body
