Many years ago as a young Bible student I learned that, "A text without context is a pretext and a pretext without a context is no text!" This axiom seems especially true when I encounter those who unknowingly misapply passages to support a particular position. It is amazing how many popular beliefs are supported with Scripture that have been taken out of context. We must be careful because when one does not apply the proper interpretive principles just about any belief can be justified.
Example. It is often stated as a principle of prayer that where two or three are gathered together there Jesus is in the midst. However, the proper context of the verse deals with church discipline.
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matt 18:15-20).
Example. A man sows what he reaps is presented as a universal spiritual law that behavior produces an end result—which is true in and of itself—but the context has to do with paying those who communicate the Word of God a just compensation.
"One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal 6:6-10).
Example. The theological concept that developed in the early nineteenth century of a secret rapture of Christians who disappear from earth for seven years before a period of great tribulation is based on several passages in 1 Thessalonians. However, these verses (4:16-17) were simply given by Paul who wanted to give comfort to the Christians who have lost loved ones and to reassure them that the departed will not miss out on the resurrection but will in fact rise from the dead first.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thess 4:13-18).
These are just a few examples as to how many have taken a verse, removed it from its proper context, and have built doctrine around the misinterpretation of Scripture. We must be careful not to twist Scripture to our own liking (cf. 2 Pet 3:16), but must earnestly search the Scripture daily to make sure the things we are being taught are so (cf. Acts 17:11). As you study the Scriptures, do not forget the context of any passage or principle.
