I have to confess. I love researching the historical context of Scripture. It is by far one of the most interesting paths a believer can venture down, when discovering the colorful influences of the past, at the same time reveling in the amazing hand of God, as evidenced through the Bible. Nonetheless, a study of historical context cannot be accomplished without having good encyclopedias, history books, and ancient cultural resources at your disposal. Many of the difficult passages Christians struggle with, and that at times actually contradict other Bible passages are so because we do not understand what was going on in the historical context of the situation of the time.
Therefore, Historical context includes discovering and understanding how the following influences affect the interpretation of Scripture.
See the list below that cites what influences make up the
Historical context.
The ancient cultures
The local needs
The situations of the times
The national religions of the places that the Scriptures were in conflict with
The economic conditions
The social customs
The philosophies
The educational standards and methods
The discovery and understanding of the ancient cultures at the times of the writing of Scriptures played a huge role in what, why, how and the purpose of God’s words to the people. Paul, Peter, John, Luke and the authors of the Gospels yielded to God to communicate to the people of their times what God’s perspective and words were, as needed for those unique situations. When we fail to recognize or acknowledge these things we can unknowingly and easily manipulate the verses to say what we want them to say, forcing them into moulds they never were intended to fill. Nonetheless, the spiritual and practical principles that may exist in these verses, should not be ignored, and must be discovered and delved into.
Historical context is also determined by what the local needs and situations of the times were that the biblical authors communicated to. For example, there are numerous instances where different directives for different times and locales were needed. If these directives are taken out of the intended context of the writing, and made into generalized commands and directives, then error and shame inevitably occurs.
Let me give you an example. Paul wrote to the single women, who were widows, under 60 years old, to marry and have children. (1 Tim. 5:3-16) Yet on the other hand, Paul wrote to the single women of Corinth to remain single. (1 Cor. 7:32-35,39-40) So why would he give such contradictory direction as the Word of the Lord? It had to do with the differences of regional events, along with the social and political climate, where the people lived. Thus, there were different instructions for dissimilar historical situations. Therefore, to take either of these words out of “historical context” and make them into absolute doctrines, without considering conditions surrounding an individual or group, the interpretation of the words then become error and can cause a host of unplanned problems. Yes, there are spiritual principles that can be appropriated from these truths, but those have to be considered against the historical context lest the distortion becomes the accepted interpretation of the texts. There are loads of such seemingly contradictory instructions, especially in the letters of Paul. This is why you need to investigate the historical factors of the context before you jump to an interpretive conclusion. I've observed that when people do not rightly interpret such passages, legalism, judgmentalism, condescending attitudes and divisiveness almost always result.
1 Tim 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. KJV
1 Cor 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. KJV
1 Cor 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. KJV
Furthermore, there were significant ancient Mediterranean cultures, religions, economic conditions, and philosophies, that all radically affect the interpretation of especially Paul’s passages. These need to be understood. One of my favorites is found in the following verse.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.
He that loveth his wife loveth himself. KJV
Paul said that a man was to love his wife in the same way he loved his body. Now why would he say that? The culture of the time was largely affected by the Roman worship of the human body. Moreover, it was the social practice for men to go to the gymnasium for exercise and pampering. Men of that time indulged their flesh often ignoring their families. Furthermore, in Greek culture, and according to the influences of Aristotle and Plato, men need not love their wives. The only purpose of the wife, according to Greek and Roman culture, was for taking care of the domestic needs and bearing children, preferably sons. Men would consequently love their courtesans and prostitutes instead. Therefore, for Paul to say this, and compare a man’s loving his own body to loving his wife, was to say “love your wife as much as you do your body when you go to the Gym!!” But in that culture loving the wife was unheard of.
You can see then, that when we read this passage, if we interpret it outside of this historical factor, we can misread what Paul meant and was saying. Now it goes without saying that husbands and wives must love each other. But this is just one example where historical context can affect the interpretation.
I know that for those who don’t have access to good resource materials, this could be frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be.
Many years ago I'd become upset over the increase of ministers who sought title, authority and power over their congregations. I witnessed some radical abuses of this, and one morning while agonizing in prayer over the matter, the Spirit of the Lord revealed something to me. He essentially revealed this by witnessing this to my spirit, “The problem you're frustrated with, concerning the self-exaltation of certain ministries and the perceived murder of the totality and functionality of the five-fold ministry (Eph. 4:7-12), is not a new thing. It began with a man named Constantine the Great. During the reign of Constantine, the totality of the five-fold ministries, as mentioned in Ephesians 4, suffered horribly.” I was so stunned at what I believed I heard that I began to research it out. To my shock, even though I don't have time to explain it all, the history was true. I mention this because when you don’t know where to begin studying, or don’t have access to good research books, God will instruct you. You, however, must then test what you believe you’ve heard against the Bible, and search through whatever historical materials you have available to confirm or disprove it. The fool believes everything he or she hears. If it’s truth and God has revealed it to you it will eventually be confirmed. You just have to be patient and let Him help you.
