We take one of the most quoted Bible verses and show how it changes when you read the lines around it. We break down four simple context questions that help us understand Scripture more clearly and apply it the way it was meant to be lived. 

• Philippians 4:13 as contentment in hardship, not a promise of winning 
• Scriptural context by reading the sentences, paragraph, and chapter around a verse 
• Historical context for understanding the prophets and Israel’s backstory 
• Cultural context through the shock and setting of the Good Samaritan 
• Literary context and genre using Psalm 23 as poetry and imagery 
• A simple weekly practice for slowing down, noticing more, and hearing God clearly 
• Why context protects us from misunderstanding and misapplying Scripture 
• Next episode: Tools that help, including study Bibles and Bible dictionaries 

Try this: Pick one passage, maybe a short story from one of the gospels, maybe a few verses from one of Paul’s letters, maybe a psalm. Read it once, then walk it through context using our four questions. 

SOURCES: 

• Doriani, D. M. (2001). Putting the truth to work: The theory and practice of biblical application. P&R Publishing.
• Helm, D. R. (2024). How can I begin to teach the Bible? Crossway.
• Marshall, I. H. (1980). How do we interpret the Bible today? Themelios, 5(2).
• Pace, R. S. (2018). Preaching by the book: Developing and delivering text-driven sermons (H. A. Thomas, Ed.). B&H Academic.
• Schultz, R. L. (2012). Out of context: How to avoid misinterpreting the Bible. Baker Books.
• Tumlinson, N. (1999). Teachers of good things: God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Christianity Magazine, 16(11).

RELATED EPISODES:

• Why the Bible Confused Me Until I Learned This One Thing  
• Genre Matters: Exploring the Different Writing Styles of the Bible  
• Context Matters: Understanding Post-Exile Prophets 
• Literary Context: How to Study the Bible  
• Historical / Cultural Context: How to Study the Bible  
• The Prophets: Messengers of God’s Word in the Bible – Pt 2 (Historical Context)  

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Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.