"The first principle is not to fool yourself – and you are the easiest person to fool.", Richard Feynmann
Hermeneutics is the science and art of interpreting written texts, especially the Scriptures. It seeks to establish clear principles by which the meaning of a passage may be determined. As a science, it provides rules and methods; as an art, it requires wisdom and careful judgment.
The goal is to discover the meaning intended by the original author. When properly applied, hermeneutics brings clarity and avoids confusion in understanding God’s Word.
The grammatical method focuses on words, grammar, and sentence structure. Words are understood according to normal usage unless context requires otherwise.
Meaning comes from how words work together. Careful attention to grammar leads to accurate interpretation.
The historical method examines the cultural and historical setting of a passage. It considers customs, events, and audience background.
Understanding the original setting prevents misinterpretation and keeps meaning grounded in reality.
Scripture must be read within its context—verses, chapters, and the whole Bible. Context shapes meaning.
Ignoring context leads to misunderstanding. Proper interpretation depends on the full passage.
Scripture uses figurative language such as metaphors and parables. These must be recognized and interpreted properly.
Figurative language still communicates truth and must be understood through context.
The Bible explains itself. Clear passages help interpret difficult ones.
This ensures unity and consistency throughout Scripture.
The interpreter must approach Scripture with humility and discipline, avoiding personal bias.
The goal is to understand the message as intended, not reshape it to fit personal views.
Exegesis and eisegesis represent two fundamentally different approaches to interpreting Scripture. Exegesis means “to draw out” the meaning of the text. It seeks to understand what the author originally intended by carefully examining context, language, and historical setting. This method allows the Bible to speak for itself and is the goal of sound hermeneutics.
Eisegesis, by contrast, means “to read into” the text. It occurs when a reader brings personal ideas, assumptions, or beliefs into Scripture and imposes them onto the passage. This leads to distortion and misunderstanding. Faithful interpretation requires exegesis—drawing truth from the text—rather than eisegesis, which reshapes the text to fit one’s own thinking.