Using the Tools at Your Disposal

Start with Foundations

Understanding the difference between doctrine and text

Read the Introduction to the Bible translation

Recognize assumptions in translation Theological perspective Literal vs. Dynamic Equivalence Dealing with idioms

Some Examples

NIV translates sarx. NIV removes gar. NASB, NIV, NKJV translates ekklesia. NASB, NIV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NLB

translates hadash – kaine John 1:17 “but” added in KJV, NKJV Many more

Comparative Texts

Look at multiple translations – notice differences

Do a quick search of the Greek or Hebrew – notice oddities

Do a little etymological research – look for umbrella meanings

Remember HOW the language works

Greek

Analytical Nuanced Cognitive Internal Noun based Tense structure similar to English

Hebrew

Phenomenological Sparse Behavioral External – community conscious Verb based Tense structure not similar to English

Rules for Exegesis

• 1. Context, context, context• 2. What genre is the text?• 3. What is the grammar/syntax of the text?• 4. What would it mean to the audience

that first heard it?• 5. What was the cultural setting of the

author?• 6. What parts of the text are culturally

located; what parts are not?• 7. How is the text used in this passage?

TOOLS – Blue Letter Bible

TOOLS – Hebrew4Christians

TOOLS – Eshavbooks.org

TOOLS – David Fohrman

TOOLS - http://www.abu.nb.ca/courses/NTIntro/OTinNT.htm

TEXTS

Interlinear with Strong’s Numbers

A Strong’s-related Dictionary

A Strong’s-related Dictionary

A Strong’s-related Dictionary

Dictionaries

Dictionaries

Commentaries

Commentaries

Commentaries

Practice

Practice

Practice

Practice

Practice

Community and Prayer

Debate is Healthy More minds = better thought The leading of the Spirit A word of caution

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