…when they read and study the Bible, they do not give emphasis to the ‘context’ of the text they bring up to propagate their teachings.
The Bible is not a codebook from which portions lifted from their respective contexts mean something other than what the same information was intended to convey within its context. The true task of every Bible student is first to ascertain what the original recipients of the Bible text were expected in their day to understand. Secondly, modern students of the Bible must ascertain if the particular biblical instruction first received by people thousands of years ago is something that applies equally to people living today. For instance, though Noah was instructed to build a barge-like lifeboat in his day, no one today is expected to do the same. It is only by examining the context of a passage that one can determine what divine message was conveyed and to whom it applies. The Bible only has meaning within its context, and it does not have any meaning separated from its context.
Context can refer to the entire document of the Bible. The Bible does not contradict itself. Were someone to think he had discovered a doctrine that contradicts other portions of the Bible, then he would know that his interpretation is flawed – since the Bible, being divine in origin, does not contradict itself.
Context can refer to the particular book of the Bible under consideration. Who wrote the book to whom and for what reason? Context can refer to a portion of a Bible book, such as a section, chapter, paragraph or series of verses. Context can refer to the stated or implied purpose of verses of Scripture. Context can include the historical background of where and when the passage was written or initially spoken.
In short, context is everything when it comes to responsible and accurate interpretation of Scripture. God has communicated with mankind through the Bible, and He expects us to handle His Word correctly. “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 ASV).
