The Importance of Context: Commonly Misunderstood Passages

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

During elementary school, I received Christ, and one of the benefits in my church was taking communion. Once a month, the pastor would lead us, repeating the words of Jesus in Matthew. When he got to the cup, he would read “Drink ye all of it” as “Drink ye <pause> all of it.” To my literalist, elementary school brain, this meant I could not leave any juice in the cup. So I dutifully stuck my tongue in the tiny plastic cup to get the last drop. Sure, it’s a funny story, but it has a serious side. As we have seen this year, the written word of God matters. Because it matters, need to understand and communicate its intended meaning.

This month we look at four commonly misunderstood passages, laying out some common misinterpretations, informing context, and the meaning in light of that context.

2 Chronicles 7:14

• Assumption: If <insert name of modern nation here> prays, everything will be okay.
• Context: This verse is part of his blessing of the Jewish Temple built by Solomon, during which God restates to Solomon the promise of discipline for sin and his covenant-based response to their prayers (2 Chronicles 7:11-18).
• Meaning. In the midst of God's discipline of his people Israel, he will hear their contrite prayers and bring healing and deliverance.

Proverbs 22:6

• Assumption: If I raise my child as a Christian, God promises that my child will return to Christ if he or she falls away.
• Context: The book of Proverbs is composed of wise sayings intended to guide a wise, godly life. These sayings are not promises (Proverbs 1:1-7).
• Meaning: The way one raises a child has a strong influence on the child’s life but does not guarantee specific outcomes.

Matthew 18:20

• Assumption. God is (only) present when two or three of his followers are gathered.
• Context. Here Jesus is teaching his followers about church discipline. An important part of the process requires two or three witnesses (Matthew 18:15-20).
• Meaning. When two or three believers are carrying out church discipline on a fellow believer, God is with them as they do this difficult work.

1 Timothy 6:10

• Assumption. Poverty is more holy than wealth; desire for money causes all sin.
• Context. In this passage, Paul is teaching Timothy about contentment versus craving (1 Timothy 6:2-10). Key terms are “love of money” and “a root.”
• Meaning. Contentment is healthy and possible in Christ.

Returning to elementary-age Laura: I spent my childhood and teenage years not understanding the incredible depth of Jesus’ very simple statement in Matthew 26:27. At the time, I assumed this passage meant we must not waste any of the communion juice.  Thankfully as a young adult, I came to realize that this context is Jesus is talking to the community of his followers who had gathered for the last supper. When he hands them the cup, he says, “All of you drink it” (Matthew 26:26-29). Every believer, regardless of status, is called to drink from the cup. We are one people. We have one Lord, and we are siblings. That is worth knowing.

All biblical truth is worth knowing and worth getting right.