Expositional preaching—What is it?

what does the bible say?

Expositional preaching is the practice of carefully explaining the meaning of Scripture in its original context and communicating its truth to contemporary listeners. Expositional preaching reflects the way the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles interpreted and taught God’s Word, ensuring it was understood and applied rightly. This method emphasizes systematic study, including language, culture, and historical context, while also drawing practical applications for today’s life. It demands diligence, sound doctrine, and a heart committed to God’s truth, aiming to faithfully teach, correct, and inspire believers to live out their faith. Expositional preaching is both challenging and essential, serving as the biblical model for teaching the Word accurately and meaningfully in every generation.

from the old testament

• While the Old Testament does not explicitly mention “expositional preaching,” it demonstrates God’s Word being clearly explained and applied to the people. Prophets and teachers often interpreted Scripture for the people, showing them God’s truth and its practical implications. For example, Ezra 7:10 says, “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.”

from the new testament

• Expositional preaching is more clearly reflected in the New Testament, especially in the early church. Preachers like Paul and Peter systematically explained Scripture to teach and correct the church. In Acts 17:11, the Bereans “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
• Jesus Himself often explained the Law and the Prophets in detail, interpreting them for His listeners. Luke 24:27 says that He “interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
• The Bible is clear that God’s Word is to be the emphasis in preaching within the church. Second Timothy 4:2 notes, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
• The first church focused on the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42).

implications for today

Expositional preaching became an important topic in the twentieth century as a response to many churches that rejected the inerrancy of Scripture. In contrast, expositional preaching accepts the 66 books of the Bible as God’s perfect, inspired words. The goals of expositional preaching are to underst and these words and effectively communicate them to others. Because of the focus on the study of Scripture in its original setting, expositional preaching can be more difficult than other forms of speaking. Second Timothy 2:15 teaches, “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.” In addition, the pastor or elder must be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). He must also “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Expositional preaching includes the study of the languages of the Bible (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), grammar, history, culture, and literature of the time. The use of language tools, commentaries, and other biblical resources are considered valuable methods to enhance one’s understanding in expositional preaching. In addition to a study of the biblical text, the expositional preacher must also seek appropriate applications for his contemporary audience. For example, how should a person apply Romans 13 and its teaching to “be subject to the governing authorities”? How should Christian marriages operate today based on the biblical principles of marriage in Ephesians 5:22–33? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself in a world in which many people know far away friends on Facebook or Twitter better than their next-door neighbors? Expositional preaching is difficult but an essential focus for those who preach today. It is the biblical model for those who seek to reflect the teachings of God’s Word and the early church today.

Recap

understand

• Expositional preaching faithfully communicates God’s Word in context.
• Expositional preaching helps believers underst and the meaning of a passage before finding application.
• Expositional preaching connects the original message to contemporary life, showing believers how to live according to God’s Word.

reflect

• How do you underst and the importance of expositional preaching and teaching?
• How can you practice studying Scripture more deeply, so you can grasp its context before applying it to your life?
• How does understanding the historical and cultural background of a passage change the way you underst and it and live out its teachings?

engage

• Why is examining the original context of Scripture important for our understanding and application?
• How can we encourage expositional preaching that balances faithful interpretation with relevant application?
• What challenges do we face in applying biblical truths from God’s Word, and how does expositional preaching help with this?