Interpretive Journey : ' Humble Yourselves '

The beginning of chapter one in Grasping God’s Word discusses the four steps of ‘The Interpretive Journey’ that are designed to navigate readers through the Bible, but as a whole, it is designed to help readers “grasp the meaning of the [Bible that] God intended” (Duvall & Hays, 2012, p.21). In order to understand the intention God has for each passage of His word, there must be a substantial understanding of the context according to the original audience, therefore the first step is titled “Grasping the Text in Their Town” which answers the overarching question of ‘What did this message mean for people of that time’? As this question is inquired throughout Ephesians 2:1-10 , the reader is instructed to make simple yet meaningful observations,

1 Peter 5:5-7 “If we refuse to humble ourselves and receive His grace, then there is no relationship. As we come to the Lord and tell Him how we are falling short in those areas then He will meet us in that need with His grace. God is not demanding that we change ourselves. Instead He asks us to come to Him in honesty and faith, and cast all our cares on Him.”

The authors set the groundwork in the first two chapters for the reader to have comprehension and understanding for the rest of the book. Therefore, the basis of the book is helping the reader to interpret and study the Bible. Fee and Stuart thoroughly discuss the process of interpretation. They stress the importance of correctly understanding what the reader is saying. Fee and Stuart stress that correct interpretation “brings relief to the mind as well as a prick or prod to the heart”

But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the sand without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of the house was great.

As humans, we long to be recognized. When what we are doing is ignored or looked over, it is difficult to find the will power to keep going. Without the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance, it is easy to lose passion for doing what is right.

As we go through struggles and trials in our life, the theology of 1 Peter portrays the greatness of going through these trials. One of the worst things that could ever happen to you is to be thrown into exile, where you lose everything that you are familiar with and everything that you have ever known. We see many people going through the hardest of struggles with being thrown into exile realize that God is there and caring for them. God allows struggles in our life for us not to lose faith, but to persevere through trials and become closer with him. 1 Peter shows us that we do not have to be bummed when going through struggles in our life.

Conversely, Greenleaf alludes to this inner strength does not come from oneself but from God. With God's strength, one can serve people no matter what the situation is (Philippians 4:13). Too, as one relies upon God’s strength, he will eventually lead effectively over a long period of time.

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:8-11

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

The verse that I choose was 1 Peter 4:16 “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” The phase, “but praise God that you bear that name” stood out to me the first time that I read it. A lot of time people in this world will call us names or treat us differently because we are Christians but here God is reminding what it means to be following Christ. We should be grateful for how Jesus came to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We also need to be representations of Christ to the world since we are calling ourselves followers of him by saying that we are Christians.

Our source of knowledge of the apostolic work of Paul comes first from the Book of Acts. The epistles written by Paul serve to further our knowledge of his mission. These letters were written to churches that he had founded or churches that were known to him. Luke’s account of Paul introduces us to the basic facts about this important biblical figure. A more complete understanding of Paul’s journeys can be gleaned from his letters. These epistles were written almost at the time they occurred and they comprise some of the earliest works contained in the New Testament.

2012, pp.39-47), “The Interpretive Journey" the reader will find that there are five steps involved that should be taken into consideration, such as (1) ancient times and our or modern times, (towns), (2) this step could be considered the river or the measure of the problem, culture and time, however, this could vary in meaning (3) what is the or crossing the principlizing bridge or Bible principle (4) consult the Biblical Map and (5) Grasping the Text in Our Town. The journey is very tedious but rewarding according to (Duvall & Hays, p. 5). The second tools are the "Criteria for Principles” in detail and some additional and complementary guidelines and helps (Duvall & Hays. 2012,

Before the gospels and Pauline epistles, early church Christians related to the Old Testament as Scripture and viewed their Christian walk as the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel from the Old Testament, which foretold of the coming age of the Messiah. The first New Testament Christians understood the importance of the Old Testament; it was their “Bible” they preached from. Just as in the early church, Christians today need the Old Testament for preaching and in which to reference and understand Christ’s purpose for why he came.

The purpose of this paper is to perform a thorough exegetical analysis of Philippians 2:1-11. In order to accomplish this purpose, the basic contents of the passage will be surveyed. In addition, any relevant issues from the background of the letter will be examined. This passage will be interpreted in its context so that its meaning will fit into the overall meaning of the letter. Most importantly, a verse by verse exposition of the text will be given which will trace the author’s flow of thought. Finally, a summary of this study’s findings will be given along with some points of personal application.

“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Colossians 1:11 NIV.