New testament exegesis examples

Here are some examples of New Testament exegesis:

Example 1: Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes

• Text: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3-12)

• Exegetical analysis:

  • The Beatitudes are a series of blessings pronounced by Jesus, which describe the characteristics of those who will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
  • The word "blessed" (makarios) means "happy" or "fortunate," and is often used to describe those who are in a state of spiritual well-being.
  • The characteristics listed in the Beatitudes are not necessarily virtues in the classical sense, but rather a description of the kind of people who are open to God's kingdom.
  • The Beatitudes are often seen as a reversal of the values of the world, where the powerful and wealthy are not necessarily blessed, but rather those who are poor in spirit and meek.

Example 2: John 1:1-14 - The Prologue to John's Gospel

• Text: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:1-14)

• Exegetical analysis:

  • The prologue to John's Gospel is a poetic and theological introduction to the life and ministry of Jesus.
  • The phrase "In the beginning was the Word" is a reference to the creation account in Genesis 1, and establishes Jesus as the source of all creation.
  • The use of the word "Word" (logos) is significant, as it was a term used in Greek philosophy to describe the rational principle of the universe.
  • The prologue highlights the divine nature of Jesus, and his role as the source of life and light in the world.

Example 3: Romans 5:12-21 - The Relationship between Sin and Death

• Text: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for in that he did sin, he did not regard God as God— nor was regard for Him in him. But the law came in, to increase the trespass; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:12-21)

• Exegetical analysis:

  • The passage explores the relationship between sin and death, and how they entered the world through Adam's disobedience.
  • The phrase "one man" refers to Adam, and the phrase "all men" refers to humanity as a whole.
  • The passage highlights the universal nature of sin and death, and how they affect all people.
  • The passage also emphasizes the role of grace and righteousness in overcoming sin and death, and leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Example 4: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The Love Chapter

• Text: "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

• Exegetical analysis:

  • The passage is often referred to as the "Love Chapter" because it emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian life.
  • The passage uses a series of rhetorical questions to highlight the importance of love, even in the face of other spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophetic powers, and faith.
  • The passage defines love as patient, kind, and selfless, and contrasts it with behaviors such as envy, boasting, and pride.
  • The passage emphasizes the importance of love in relationships, and how it is the greatest of all the spiritual gifts.