Out of Context... what does it mean?

[apollosdtr]

Out of Context... what does it mean?

"Definition of context
1 : the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
2 : the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment,
setting the historical context of the war"
Definition of CONTEXT

Context Synonyms:
"The surrounding area, circumstances, conditions, or objects
A frame of reference for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood
The text in which a word or passage appears and which helps ascertain its meaning
A consideration of things relative to other similar cases
That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event
The general idea, intention or meaning of something
The pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work
Context, framework
A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text
The words or wording of a book or other piece of writing, or the idea(s) conveyed from them A favorable circumstance or occasion
The fact of having a bearing on or being related to"
https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/another-word-for/context.html

So what do they mean by "Ripping Verses Out of Context"?
Does it mean something other than the quotes above?

 

[Guojing]

Out of Context... what does it mean?

"Definition of context
1 : the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
2 : the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment,
setting the historical context of the war"
Definition of CONTEXT

Context Synonyms:
"The surrounding area, circumstances, conditions, or objects
A frame of reference for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood
The text in which a word or passage appears and which helps ascertain its meaning
A consideration of things relative to other similar cases
That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event
The general idea, intention or meaning of something
The pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work
Context, framework
A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text
The words or wording of a book or other piece of writing, or the idea(s) conveyed from them A favorable circumstance or occasion
The fact of having a bearing on or being related to"
https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/another-word-for/context.html

So what do they mean by "Ripping Verses Out of Context"?
Does it mean something other than the quotes above?

Nowadays, anytime people want to disagree with you, they will claim you are doing that.

 

[Norbert L]

Does it mean something other than the quotes above?

There are different types of contexts according to the genre of the writing. Historical context also plays a role. Like you wouldn't want to mix up some who writes from the 1920s using the word gay with some who uses it today. It's the same word but two different contexts because of the generational difference. Now imagine that over a couple thousand years.

 

[HTacianas]

Out of Context... what does it mean?

"Definition of context
1 : the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
2 : the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment,
setting the historical context of the war"
Definition of CONTEXT

Context Synonyms:
"The surrounding area, circumstances, conditions, or objects
A frame of reference for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood
The text in which a word or passage appears and which helps ascertain its meaning
A consideration of things relative to other similar cases
That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event
The general idea, intention or meaning of something
The pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work
Context, framework
A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text
The words or wording of a book or other piece of writing, or the idea(s) conveyed from them A favorable circumstance or occasion
The fact of having a bearing on or being related to"
https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/another-word-for/context.html

So what do they mean by "Ripping Verses Out of Context"?
Does it mean something other than the quotes above?

There are a lot of verses that are taken out of context and used to support some idea or another but when we read them with "The surrounding area, circumstances, conditions, or objects" they have a different meaning than the meaning assigned to them. Some of the more notable are Ephesians 2:8-9 and Acts 16:31. If quoted alone they can be used to support ideas that some people have but when read in context you find that those ideas are wrong.

 

[miamited]

Hi @Ligurian

Perhaps an example would help.

A man stood in the grocery aisle of a store yesterday and declared "I hate Fritos!" It was expected that the man likely had an issue about Fritos but it isn't clear if he was complaining about the taste and texture of Fritos, or had some problem with the company that produces them.

However, here's what was really said and what it meant. A man in a grocery aisle of a store yesterday was speaking rather loudly to his friend who was shopping with him who had expressed that he didn't much care for Fritos as their choice of snack for the upcoming football match. The man turned to his friend and said, "Well, if anyone says 'I hate Fritos!', then I imagine they just haven't tried them with a good bean dip.

Oh, so the man didn't really hate Fritos or the taste and texture of them. He had nothing against the company that produces the snack. In fact, he rather likes Fritos and meant that those who might not like them just haven't tried them with a good bean dip.

In this instance, "I hate Fritos", and all the commentary that followed the making of the statement was wrong, because the initial statement was taken out of context.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Skye1300]

Context is everything. Context has more meaning than the actual words themselves. That's why you can't just read or hear words, you have to look at the context it is in. Communication is not just words, it's context.

 

[Strong in Him]

So what do they mean by "Ripping Verses Out of Context"?
Does it mean something other than the quotes above?

The classic example is:
"Then Judas went and hanged himself", Matthew 27:5
"Go and do likewise", Luke 10:37
"what you are about to do, do quickly", John 13:27.

So the Bible teaches and condones suicide?

People can make the Bible say anything they want it to say, by taking verses out of context.

 

[disciple Clint]

Out of Context... what does it mean?

"Definition of context
1 : the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
2 : the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment,
setting the historical context of the war"
Definition of CONTEXT

Context Synonyms:
"The surrounding area, circumstances, conditions, or objects
A frame of reference for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood
The text in which a word or passage appears and which helps ascertain its meaning
A consideration of things relative to other similar cases
That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event
The general idea, intention or meaning of something
The pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work
Context, framework
A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text
The words or wording of a book or other piece of writing, or the idea(s) conveyed from them A favorable circumstance or occasion
The fact of having a bearing on or being related to"
https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/another-word-for/context.html

So what do they mean by "Ripping Verses Out of Context"?
Does it mean something other than the quotes above?

Simply be cautious whenever someone is taking isolated verses out of different parts of the bible and trying to put them all together to support their assertions

 

[martymonster]

I guess the "context" rule, would be the opposite of this...

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Now, it's important to understand that the word translated "private" is from the Greek word "Idios" which mean's "own"
For example:

Excuse me? Did you borrow that car?
No. It is my own car!

So, no prophecy of scripture is of it's own interpretation, which means, simply reading a verse and guessing what it means (which is exactly what you are doing with the "context" rule, is actually making a verse of scripture of it's "own" interpretation.

The Bible is the word of God and is spiritual. It's not a text book!

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

Hi its a difficult thing to define but I can give an example as one of the most quoted verses in the Bible is Jer 29: 11. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.


Now when we go to this chapter the context is clearly the Jews who were in Judah and that they are going into captivity in Babylon for 70 years and afterwards will return. This is what Jer 29: 11 is talking about.


Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD.
10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Now even out of context the promise being used to offer a sinner another chance does open a door of hope in ones heart. The fact is God has a future for all who turn to him and the gospel is his plan and we just have to sing up for it. The passage in Jer shows sometimes that even out of context the Holy Spirit can speak truth into someones life.

I once knew a new believer who heard do cast your pearls before swine and she immediately knew it was the word of the Lord to her to break up with her non believing boyfriend. You can get a good message out of context but this is where a lot of doctrinal disputes arise.

 

[apollosdtr]

Nowadays, anytime people want to disagree with you, they will claim you are doing that.

Every time that happens, I remember "The Survivors"...

= Jack?
- Yeah?
= Time out, okay?
- What?
= Time out. You won't believe this... but I brought the wrong bullets.
- Is that right?
= Yeah. This morning I was in a hurry to get out... and I brought the wrong ammo. Silly me. It's a mistake anybody could make!
- What do you want me to do? Make a few snowballs... while you get bullets to shoot at me?
= Would you mind?
Survivors, The (1983) Movie Script | SS

 

[apollosdtr]

Hi @Ligurian

In this instance, "I hate Fritos", and all the commentary that followed the making of the statement was wrong, because the initial statement was taken out of context.

...or not given context to begin with?
I hate Fritos. VS I hate plain Fritos.
I hate blue. VS I hate blue ________.
Is it a context problem?
Or a "what we got here is a failure to communicate" problem? (Cool Hand Luke)

Doesn't it all go back to our very own Confirmation Bias?
Isn't one of the context issues... literal VS metaphysical?

Audience changes both context and content.

A Spanish-speaking man might think "I hateFritos" meant "fried food".

 

[miamited]

Hi @Ligurian

Sorry to have bothered you. I have no idea what you're going on about, but have at it.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Daniel Marsh]

start at post Yesterday at 1:17 AM#5

 

[Fervent]

Context with regard to the Bible is a multi-layered issue. First there is immediate context, which is the paragraph before and after. Next is the segment context, which is the major division within the book that is being read. For example, Luke can be broken into 3-4 major divisions, Romans can be divided into 3-4 major divisions, etc. Then we have the complete work context, which is usually(but not always) the book of the Bible. Above that we have the context of Biblical genre. On top of these literary contexts we have historical context, which is the one most often ignored. For example, "take up your cross" is a common phrase bandied about without concern for its historical implications as when Jesus spoke those words they were basically a call to arms.

Ultimately, the criticism is a criticism of a systematic approach to theology which treats all verses of the Bible as if they are a single "type" and compares them without working out what the original audiences would have understood, or what the original human authors would have understood themselves to be saying. The Bible is a multi-faceted work with a great deal of intertextual and historic interaction and so requires hermeneutical work to understand properly.

 

[apollosdtr]

I guess the "context" rule, would be the opposite of this...

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

What does a verse about prophecy have to do with the OP "out of context"?

 

[martymonster]

What does a verse about prophecy have to do with the OP "out of context"?

All scripture is prophecy, because it will all come to pass.

 

[apollosdtr]

"Out of context" seems to be said most often when the answer is really "no comment."