What does it mean to take something out of context?
According to the Collins Online Dictionary, if a statement or remark is quoted out of context, the circumstances in which it was said are not correctly reported, so it seems to mean something different from the meaning that was intended.
This is one of the major causes of doctrinal differences among Christian denominations.
When it comes to Biblical interpretation, there are two types of contexts – literary context and historical context.
Historical context
Say you’re reading Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” or Efo Kwadwo Mawugbe’s “In the Chest of a Woman”, you will realize a lot of the cultural practices are outmoded and not practised anymore. Still, we understand when people of that era do those things. In the past, young girls were given into marriage just because they had reached puberty, it would be illegal to do that now because times have changed.
The Bible is literature- divinely inspired literature- hence we should study it through the lenses of the era each book was written. We should not view historical narratives and perspectives from our modern lenses. We must ask ourselves important questions to properly interpret a text.
What was the culture of the people in that era?
What did that gesture signify?
“Greet one another with a holy kiss” - Romans 16:16
To better understand this text, we’ll have to go back to the culture of the people the Apostle Paul was addressing and the timing. Eastern cultures in those days and even now greet one another with kisses so it was understood perfectly. In the family we see Jacob kisses Isaac in greeting him (Gen. 27:26-27). In friendship, David and Jonathan kiss farewell (1 Samuel 20:41-42). A Sovereign is kissed to elicit mercy (Psalm 2:12) and a king may kiss his subject as a gesture of mercy (2 Sam. 14:33). A host might kiss a guest as a greeting (Luke 7:45). Simon did not offer Jesus a kiss of honour or greeting, but the sinful woman kissed Jesus’ feet in honour. Judas’ kiss was of false greeting (Luke 22:47-48). His kiss was the opposite of a “holy kiss” or a “kiss of love.”
In our culture, you might get into trouble if you go about kissing people. What we can learn is cordiality between members of the Body.
Literary context
Let me tell you an illustration a man of God made to drive this point home.
A man wanted to hear from the Lord one day, so he took his Bible prayed and asked God to show him what to do. He flipped his bible open and his eyes landed on the verse, “And Judas hanged himself”
He closed the Bible quickly, shook his head vigorously and said, “Let me seek more clarity”. He opened his Bible once again, and this time, it said, “Do likewise” Doubting this word, he tried one last time, and the words his eyes met were, “Whatever you want to do, do it quickly”. He then agreed that this could not be God’s leading for Him.
Are these words not found in the Bible?
Yes, they are.
The problem is the man's interpretation of them was flawed.
That’s what happens when we pick bits and pieces of scripture without considering preceding and subsequent verses. Sometimes, you might have to read the entire chapter or book before drawing conclusions.
I leave you with this popular scripture. It's one of those that we do to pump up some adrenaline into our system when we have something to conquer. A kind of affirmation we say to invoke the "can do spirit".
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength- Phil 4:13
Let's backtrack a little to the three previous verses.
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little - Phil 4:10-12.
We can see that the Apostle Paul was not talking about our ability to excel at everything we set our minds to but our ability to remain steadfast in our faith and adjust regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in- abundance or lack, joy or sadness, loss or gain.
To conclude, every book of the Bible fits into the bigger picture of who Christ is and God’s redemptive plan for mankind.
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me- John 5:30-40
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. - Luke 24:27
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