EXEGESIS OF EPISTLES

Taught by J. W. McGarvey

I. Rules:

A. Note the parties to the epistle.

1. By whom and to whom written.

2. Circumstances of the writer.

a. His place, time, surroundings, and all the helps to show when he wrote, why he wrote, and why he wrote as he did.

3. Circumstances of party addressed, place, etc.

a. These are decided:

(1.) From contemporaneous history.

(2.) From history contained in the body of the epistle.

II. The Exegesis:

A. Distribute into its general sections.

1. This done by distinguishing the several leading topics.

a. This requires a second reading.

B. Distribute these sections into paragraphs. This done by distinguishing the several branches of a discourseunder each topic. This requires the reading of eachsection.

C. Ascertain the scope of each paragraph. This done bygeneralizing the thoughts in the paragraph. This re­quires the study of the connection between the in- dividual thoughts of the paragraph.

D. Ascertain the exact force of each thought and its connection with the others. This gives the exegesis of the paragraph.

III. Verbal Criticism. (This method is the study of the meaning of words—is not generally applied formally—but always implied in reality. It is formally applied when doubt exists.)

A. Ascertain the primary meaning of the word. This done:

1. By Lexicons.

2. Common usage.

B. Adopt primary meaning unless forbidden. It may be forbidden in two ways.

1. By the context.

2. By some other scripture statement.

C. Ascertain its secondary or divided meaning and how divided from the primary. This ascertained in the same way as the primary.

D. Try each meaning until one is found that will suit.

E. If two meanings suit equally as well—decide by Old Testament or New Testament usage.