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.
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