Module 6 · From Exegesis to Teaching · Lesson 2
Interpretation: What Does the Text Mean?
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Big idea
Interpretation explains what the author is communicating through the text within its literary, historical, cultural, genre, and covenant setting.
Learning objectives
- Define interpretation.
- Move from observation to interpretive claim.
- Identify the main idea of a passage.
- Use literary and historical context appropriately.
- Respect genre and covenant location.
- Distinguish textual evidence from speculation.
- Evaluate competing interpretations.
Primary text
2 Timothy 2:15
“Interpretation requires work and faithful handling of truth.”
Scaffolded Scriptures
- Acts 8:30–35 — Interpretation addresses meaning and can move from Scripture toward Christ.
- Luke 24:27 — Jesus expounds Scripture.
- Nehemiah 8:8 — They gave the sense.
- 2 Peter 1:20–21 — Scripture is not a playground for uncontrolled private invention.
Teaching movements
Movement 1
Start With Observations — Let the text generate the interpretive question.
Movement 2
Identify the Main Idea — Complete: 'The author is communicating that…'
Movement 3
Mark 2 Case Study — A strong interpretive claim explains the forgiveness, objection, miracle, and stated purpose.
Movement 4
Use the Paragraph — A good interpretation explains more of the passage, not less.
Movement 5
Use the Book — The broader book purpose strengthens interpretation.
Movement 6
Use Historical Background Responsibly — Background clarifies; it should not dominate or replace the text.
Movement 7
Genre Controls Expectation — A proverb is not a letter; a vision is not plain prose.
Movement 8
Locate the Covenant — Especially important for law, sacrifice, priesthood, temple, land, and purity.
Movement 9
Scripture Interprets Scripture—Carefully — Prefer same book, same author, related canonical themes, and explicit New Testament use.
Movement 10
Word Studies Can Help and Hurt — A word does not mean every dictionary possibility each time it appears.
Movement 11
Etymology Is Not Meaning — Usage in context determines meaning.
Movement 12
Evaluate Competing Interpretations — Textual fit, literary fit, historical fit, genre fit, canonical fit, explanatory power.
Movement 13
Write the Interpretive Sentence — State meaning in one clear sentence that can be tested.
Key terms / word study
- Interpretation
- Explaining what the author communicates through the text in its setting.
- Lexicon
- A dictionary of biblical-language vocabulary; useful for possible meanings, but context controls the sense.
Christ at the center
Interpretation establishes the foundation for responsible canonical movement toward Christ. Do not invent the bridge.
Common error to avoid
Do not confuse a good sermon idea with the meaning of the text. The text gets veto power.
Reflect
- Why should interpretation grow from observation?
- What makes an interpretive claim strong?
- Why can word studies become dangerous?
- How can competing interpretations be evaluated responsibly?
Practice
Choose one paragraph. List ten observations, identify context, write one main idea sentence, list three pieces of evidence, identify an alternate reading, and explain why your reading better accounts for the text.
Remember
Observation asks WHAT DOES IT SAY? Interpretation asks WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Make the text prove your interpretation.