Why is context so important in studying the Bible? What is wrong with looking at verses out of context?

what does the bible say?

Context is essential in studying the Bible because it helps us underst and God’s original intent and prevents misinterpretation. Both the Old and New Testaments emphasize the importance of knowing Scripture within its covenantal and unified story centered on Christ. Taking verses out of context can lead to false doctrines, misapplication, and confusion, which contradict God’s desire for accurate understanding and faithful living. Misusing Scripture by ignoring context can justify harmful practices, as seen historically with slavery, which the Bible addresses differently when properly understood. Therefore, studying the full counsel of God and rightly handling the word of truth is crucial for accurate teaching and living.

from the old testament

• The Old Testament highlights the importance of understanding God’s covenant and the broader narrative of His dealings with His people. For example, the Law given at Sinai (Exodus 19–20) is part of a larger covenant context, and prophetic messages often call Israel back to faithfulness within that covenant (Isaiah 1:16-17; Jeremiah 3:15). Ignoring the broader covenant or historical setting risks misunderstanding God’s intentions and commands.
• Following the example of Ezra, we are called to know God’s Word, apply it to our own lives, and teach it to others: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

from the new testament

• The New Testament presents the Bible as a unified story centered on Christ (Luke 24:27, 44; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• Jesus’ own teaching shows how Scripture must be interpreted within God’s full revelation (John 5:39-40).
• Scripture encourages readers to study the full counsel of God. In Acts 20:27, the apostle Paul told the elders in his presence, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”
• Our lives are to follow this same practice of studying all of God’s Word to accurately underst and its teachings and apply them to our lives. Second Timothy 2:15 is clear, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
• Taking verses out of context can lead to false doctrines, misapplication, and confusion (2 Peter 3:16).

implications for today

Theologian D.A. Carson stated that, “A text without context is pretext for a prooftext.” We must study the Bible in its literary, historical, and cultural contexts to correctly underst and it. Misunderstanding a portion of the Bible can lead to misapplying it in our lives as well as passing false teaching to others. But God’s desire for our lives is to know His Word accurately, apply it in our own lives, and teach it to others. Another concern is the temptation to make the Bible say what we want rather than what it originally meant. Those who take this misguided approach have used Scripture to “prove” a wide variety of practices as “biblical.” However, a practice is only biblical if it is based on an accurate understanding of Scripture, which includes studying the context surrounding a passage. For example, some have taught that slavery was biblical since this practice can be found in the Bible. However, while it is true slavery is found in the Bible, the New Testament did not teach Christians to enslave one another. On the contrary, in Paul’s most personal letter regarding this issue, he entreated Philemon to free his runaway slave Onesimus (Philemon 1). In another letter to Timothy, Paul lists “enslavers” along with types of “ungodly and sinners” (1 Timothy 1:9-10). Besides Genesis 1:27 speaks of men and women being created in God’s image. Christians are called to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:31), a practice that would certainly contradict modern slavery. Further, a close examination of slavery and servanthood in first century times shows that it often differed widely in application from modern slavery. A doulos (Greek word for servant) could have a servant of his or her own and held much responsibility. While there were certainly masters who treated their servants poorly in that time, slavery then was not practiced exactly as slavery has been in modern times. As that example shows, without studying the context of biblical passages on that and other topics, Scripture has been and still can be used to support the most tragic of interpretations.

Recap

understand

• Context protects the meaning of Scripture and reveals God’s truth.
• Misusing Scripture by ignoring context leads to error and harm.
• Faithful study of the whole Bible equips us to live and teach rightly.

reflect

• When you read the Bible, how do you take time to underst and the surrounding verses, the historical and cultural setting, and the original audience?
• How does understanding context help you better underst and application?
• How can you guard against using Scripture to justify what you want it to say?

engage

• How can studying the Bible in context help us avoid common misinterpretations or doctrinal errors?
• What are some examples in history or today where taking Scripture out of context has led to harm or false teaching?
• How can we as believers cultivate habits that promote faithful, context-rich Bible interpretation and application?