Explain God’s Word Part II

Today, we continue our study to answer the question: “How is the church supposed to function Biblically?” Over the last few weeks, we have looked at our need to engage and elevate God’s word. If we fail to “hold fast the faithful word,” then we will never be in a position to explain His word. Yet, if we submit to His word, holding it as the highest authority in our lives, then we will be able to explain and understand God’s message.

In Titus 1:9, we see this call to explain God’s word. Paul writes, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching.” This teaching is “how” the faithful word is delivered to God’s people. Teaching is a formal, ordered instruction focused on a single vision. A perfect God has a perfect message and He has given us a perfect explanation—and it comes through teaching!

Examine the Text

The nature of God’s word demands that we examine His word. This examination of the text is called exegesis. Exegesis is a critical examination and explanation of a text. This means we must take the Bible at face value. God says what He says; God means what He means. If we teach the Bible, apart from God’s clear intent, then we have twisted His message for our purpose. We discover His clear intent by focusing on the literal and grammatical meaning of each verse of the Bible . 

Literal & Grammatical Meaning 

God’s words matter (2 Tim [3:16]–17). For this reason, we must examine the text of the Scripture. We do this by focusing on the literal grammatical meaning. 

First, we must simply define the words in the Biblical text. We should ask questions like: “What is the definition of this word?” or “How was this word used in the time of Jesus?”

Next, we must also seek to understand how God uses these words to communicate His intent or purpose. We must ask: “What was God’s purpose in writing these words?” Or, another question, “When God writes something, what is He trying to say?” It’s all about His intent. 

He can achieve His intent in many different ways.  Literally, He says it took six days to create the world (Gen 1). Figuratively, He describes the four corners of the earth (Isa [11:12]). Anthropomorphically, He gives Himself  human features: eyes (2 Chron 16:9), arms (Isa [40:10]–11), and back (Exodus 33: 17-23). The Scriptures are full of illustrations, similes, and metaphors. God speaks with irony and sarcasm. Despite all the different ways God communicates, the goal remains to discern His intent by examining His words. 

Finally, as we examine the text, we must also look at the grammar of the sentence. Grammar is the relationship words have with each other—think: subject, verb, object. When we are able to understand the relationship between words, then we can explain God’s intent. Grammar makes a big difference to meaning. Just consider these two different sentences: “John hit the ball” or “The ball hit John.” The grammar of these two different sentences dictate completely different meanings.

This is how an author delivers his intent. Therefore, the examination and explanation of both the literal meaning and the grammar enables one to clearly discern the message of the author.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus modeled exegesis. In fact, the clear examination and explanation of God’s word marked His earthly ministry. He was always explaining the literal, grammatical meaning of the Scriptures. Even one of His closest friends, the apostle John, noted this reality. In John [1:18], he summarized the life of Jesus in a single word, writing, 

“no one has seen God at any time, the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the father, He has explained Him.” 

Jesus, the only begotten of God, explained God perfectly. 

In the Greek, the word for explained is exegeomai. This word means to set forth in great detail, to expound, or expose. Literally, the word means to lead through. Jesus led His listeners through the Scriptures. This enabled a deeper understanding of who God is.

From the streets to the synagogues, from the courts to the cross, Jesus was teaching God's word. In our time, we hear men and women claim to “have a word from the Lord.” This is a shame. For, when Jesus came he did not give a new word; He simply explained the old Word. Jesus explained God’s intent. His every explanation focused on the literal and grammatical meaning.    

Jesus Explained the Author’s Intent

In Matthew 5, Jesus spends a significant amount of time teaching on God’s intent in the Scriptures. He often uses the formula, “you have heard it said…but I say to you.” Some say he is teaching a new law. But, in fact, He is reminding His listeners of the old law—the original meaning of the Scriptures. Simply, He addresses the heart of the matter or the intent of God’s law. 

In Matthew [5:21]–22, we find one such example. Jesus says, 

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

In this verse, he quotes the fifth commandment. Jesus connects anger with murder. This connection reminds the people of the original intent of the Ten Commandments. While the Ten Commandments do punish specific actions, they are designed to address the problems of the heart. For, God ultimately judges our hearts, not our actions (Jer 17:9–10). 

But, the Israelites forgot this simple truth. For, they so narrowly interpreted the commandments. Therefore, they missed God’s intent. They overly focused on the action and not the motivation. They took God’s word at face-value, but they failed to understand His meaning. So, Jesus faithfully refreshes the purpose of the law. Our hearts must be pure before God.

Jesus Explained the Grammar

Furthermore, Jesus relied on the grammar of the Scriptures. In Matthew [22:32], he relies on a verb tense from the Old Testament to prove His point. The Sadducees, a religious sect within Judaism, challenged Jesus to demonstrate the possibility of the resurrection. So, in response, he quotes Exodus 3:6, saying,

“ ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’ (Matt [22:32])? 

Then, He says,

He is not the God of the dead but of the living (Matt [22:32]).”

Jesus says you want proof of the resurrection? Consider what God said to Moses at the burning bush (Exod 3:6). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have all died, but God says to Moses: “I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB.” Notice God doesn't say I was their God, as though they are no longer living. Instead, He says I AM—present tense— their God. This proves that these men are still alive in the resurrection. Jesus uses the present verb tense from Exodus 3:6 to refute the Sadducees and prove the resurrection. 

This was a powerful argument with a shocking response. In fact, the response was so notable Matthew records the event. First, Matthew writes, “When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching (Matt [22:33]).” Then, again, “No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question (Matt [22:46]).” 

The careful explanation of God’s word always delivers God’s message. Jesus is the perfect example. He studied God’s word. Therefore, He was able to explain the literal grammatical meaning and deliver the God intent in the Scriptures