Hermeneutics an Analysis of Context

Hermeneutics

An Analysis of Context and Hermeneutical Principles

When reading the epistles of Holy Scripture, it is good to keep in mind their historical and literary context. Doing so gives one a better grasp of the reality of the faith: rather than mere words seeming to have floated down from Heaven, the epistles appear to be true and actual letters of encouragement and doctrine designed to elevate and instruct very specific members of the early Church. One of the most remarkable things about learning the historical and literary context of the epistles is the incredible versatility with which they were able to be composed for very diverse audiences -- whether, Jew, Roman, Gentile, or fellow Apostle. Understanding the epistles in context brings to life the Word of God in the same way that learning more about an author and the time and place in which he lived helps bring to life his subjects. This paper will clarify why historical and literary context are so important in understanding and properly interpreting the epistles, and it will also summarize the basic hermeneutical principles.

Obviously if the early Church did not wish for us to keep in mind the context of the epistles they would not have made it a point to include in the gathering of Sacred Scripture the beginnings of the letters by which certain places, churches, or persons are addressed. The sheer fact that they did so is an indication of the way in which the epistolary letters should be viewed -- and in fact it is the way they have always been viewed.

Historical and literary context also tells us about the way in which apologetics is designed to work. As St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law…" (1 Cor 9:19-20). St. Paul himself reveals how both historical and literary context should shape our understanding: the history behind St. Paul's letters illustrates the grandeur of the Church's mission, and the literary style shows the passion and zeal with which they were composed -- not to win men through poetic style but through truth first -- St. Paul's style flows from the humbling knowledge that he is in possession of that truth.