Biblical Hermeneutics

WORD STUDY:

English Word: "LIGHT"

English Definition:

There are two or more forms of Light, here we are looking into the Spiritual form.

Spiritual illumination by divine truth


Comparison of Translations



You are the salt & light

"I am the Light of the World"

Exegesis - Biblical Hermeneutics

Exegesis (/ˌɛksəˈdʒiːsəs/; from the Greek ἐξήγησις from ἐξηγεῖσθαι 'to lead out') is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, particularly a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for work with the Bible; however, in modern usage "biblical exegesis" is used for greater specificity to distinguish it from any other broader critical text explanation.


Exegesis on 1 Peter Chapter 1:1 - 2:12

Random Verses for encouragment

Luke 4:18 ►
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"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

Philippians 4:13New King James Version (NKJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

Source of my strength is Christ. Christ crucified on the cross is a great act of bravery and boldness, its the greatest demonstration of love that any man can offer to a sinner.

John 15:13 ►

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Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Romans 5:8 ►

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But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When the life questions will I really be able to? is it possible?
God says:

Matthew 19:26 ►

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Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

1 Corinthians 10:13 ►

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No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Hebrews 12:4 ►

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In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Matthew 16:16 ►

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Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

John 20:29 ►

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Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Luke 10:27 ►

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He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Luke 6:31 ►

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Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Matthew 7:2 ►

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For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

John 7:38 ►

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Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."

1 Peter 4:17 ►

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For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Luke 18:38 ►

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He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

James 1:17New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or [a]shifting shadow.

Romans 8:31-39New Living Translation (NLT)

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[a]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 2:10King James Version (KJV)

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

John 17:20New American Standard Bible (NASB)

20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

John 15:7New American Standard Bible (NASB)

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 14:6New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Matthew 26:31-35New American Standard Bible (NASB)

31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all [a]fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall bescattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may [b]fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter *said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

John 13:35New American Standard Bible (NASB)

35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 5:16New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Proverbs 4:23New American Standard Bible (NASB)

23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

Isaiah 54:17New King James Version (NKJV)

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

Matthew 6:9-13English Standard Version (ESV)

9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.[d]

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27 NIV
Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.





Matthew 12:11 NIV
He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?



Sabbath, Also is the one aspect that gives us an understanding that the First five books of the Bible is written by the Author Moses. As there is no mention of Sabbath at the time of Adam, Abraham or Noah.. Joseph or Jacob, but only Moses' time. God created the Heavens and Earth and all that in it in 6 days and rested on the 7th Day. The Significance of Sabbath is universal, that is how we got our Sunday holiday.

Questioning and Doubting God

God always intends us to be his people, Good and trustworthy. But at times we misunderstand his word and misinterpret in our own understanding. We try to understand God from our mindset not thinking that God's mindset is different. It's way above us. So, if we are not able to find solutions for a problem, we should not blame God, rather we should humble our-self and accept the fact that is the God Almighty, The All Knowing God.

We could see how Israel, time in and out questioned God's providence for their life.

They questioned about the Meat, The Water, Conquering of the Promised Land. Presence of God - (Not trusting in God's word) they created Idols.


The example of Cain and Abel.
We could see these pattern even before Moses' time, when the second generation - Cain and Abel lived together and offered God. God accepted Able's offering of the first-lings, but rejected Cain's offering - Why because he offered God the last of his Grains and Fruits and other things. What we offer to God is most important, at time why we offer becomes the most important aspect. Whatever God likes we have to submit and surrender to his will, we will have to humbly ask God as to what his will in any particular situations and circumstances rather than what we think that would benefit God.

The example of Saul - Old Testament - Mercy not Sacrifice.

The example of the Assyrians.
God caused the Israelite to be suffered at the hands of the Idol worshipers - Assyrians and many other kingdom were against the Israel, we may ask as to why God should do this for his own people. But, it was the mistake of the Israel, when they started turning towards their own will and did things which caused anger to God. They allowed human kings to rule over their kingdom, they started Idol worship, they denied the power of the true living God. Such and many other things they did in the sight of the Lord.



Sine the beginning of the New Testament and the Enlightenment period in the 17-18th Century
The Pharisees


The Science and The Religion

On Following Jesus Christ's Footsteps: Sufferings

1 Peter 2:21 NIV
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

In few verses back, exactly in verse 19 Peter says:
It is commendable - If we suffer because of conscience towards God.

1 Peter 2:19 (NIV)

19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.


Following the footsteps of Christ means not that one will be successful in everything he does, its not about being great about who we are, its not about our strength or our knowledge and wisdom. But, it means following everything that Jesus asked us to follow. To leave the earthly things (1 John 2:15) and to love him more than any other things(Matthew 10:37). To be dead to our old for our life - (Colossians 3:3 & Romans 6:4), i.e. sinful life to following Christ, that is to suffer for the right cause.


What does following the footsteps means?

Following as we saw in the life of Disciples as to how they left their business or work or job to follow Jesus. Footsteps - The aim and objectives of our life, no one walks a way that leads to nowhere. Everyone walks through a ways that leads to a certain place. We should guard our hearts and minds even before taking a step. Because our steps direct to our destiny. If we were to follow Jesus' steps, rest-assured that our destiny in him is the perfect will of God.

Proverbs and Psalms gives us the most important aspects in following the right path or taking the right step.

Proverbs 3:6 NIV

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 4:26 NIV
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Psalm 37:5 NIV
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

Psalm 85:13 NIV
Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.



Three commitment required to follow Christ:

In all your ways submit to him
Give careful thought to the paths
Commit your way to the LORD



Four patterns for those who commit their ways to Christ:

He will make your paths straight
Steadfast in all your ways
He will do this
Prepares the way for his steps




Beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good news - The Gospel:
Isaiah 52:7 NIV
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Paul reminds us about this verse in Romans:
Romans 10:15 NIV
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"


Following is not only literally just going behind, it is following the principles, objectives of the kingdom. Jesus relates this to John, "for the one who if for us is not against us."

Luke 9:46-50New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Test of Greatness

46 An argument [a]started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing [b]what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is [c]for you.”

The Choices and The Consequences - Betrayal

Jesus' Disciples are one among the most inspiring people ever lived. Being with the master, watching his every step and following him would have given them opportunity to know what God really wants his sons and daughters to do in this world. But yet at many instances some of them have failed.

The Betrayal - Judas Iscariot

One of the Disciple who took an extreme decision to betray his master for 30 silver coins (The same or equivalent was used to betray Joseph of the old testament). If Jesus knew that Judas would betray why should he allow him to betray? As he was a Disciple, Jesus could have prayed for him (As he did in case of Peter)

The case of betrayal: Judas was the treasurer. Several occasions he use to handle the money bag. At one particular instance it is said that he also questions Jesus about spending. I think here he gets to a point where he wanted to do something to Jesus.

Matthew 26:6-16New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Precious Ointment

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11 For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Judas’s Bargain

14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me [a]to [b]betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty[c]pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to[d]betray [e]Jesus.

God always works with the choices we make, he allows us to make and commit mistakes. That does not make him wrong, he gave us free will to choose. The Pharaoh in the Moses' time could be a better example to understand this. God tried to make him understand who he is through Moses, then again through various trails, but he would not listen. It is said, that his heart was hardened that he doesn't want God to interfere in his life. He wanted the people to believe that he is God. Everyone who chooses to Sin against God is in the same line with this Pharaoh. If we faithfully ask God to forgive us our sins he will, if we ask to help us overcome the temptations he will help us - Matt 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Then arise an other question as to why Jesus prayed for Peter, but not to Judas? If we see both the Disciples took wrong decisions. One to betray another denied. But when they recognized their sins. They acted differently. Peter cried bitterly and repented, but Judas took a wrong way. It should be noted that both were disciples, but their choices were different. Though they saw all the miracles, knowing who Jesus was, but yet they allowed their human attributes towards life more than God's. Jesus said that Peter would deny when Peter was saying that even at the cost of life he would not deny, Jesus did said someone who dips the bread with me today is going to betray me. So he knew what people are going to do, even before they themselves knew. God knows our every weakness, only thing Jesus is asking you about is to submit it and to surrender our will to him.


Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for your word, your word is the lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. It leads and guides us through out our life. Thank you for Jesus - The Son Of God to whom we submit and surrender our will, our life, our thoughts and all our fears and worries. As the scripture says, caste your care upon him for he cares for you. We might have denied you like Peter, saying whatever the case is we will live for you, but would have denied at times, or we may even been like Judas, questioning as to why you did different things. But God forgive us, forgive us of our sins. Give us one more opportunity by your Grace and Mercy. Father Lord give us strength to overcome these thoughts of denial and betrayal in life, rather we look at the cross and say such was the love of our Lord Jesus, who died for me for my sins and for all the sins of the world, whoever turns from his sinful ways to him will be saved, delivered and forgiven. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the Lord, then he died and arose, he will be saved. Thanking for saving us Lord, bless this day.