CONTEXT

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT

By James R. Gray

I came across an article on the internet on words that are contronyms—words that are their own antonyms. Being somewhat of a writer it drew by attention. It starts with these words:

“Here’s an ambiguous sentence for you: “Because of the agency’s oversight, the corporation’s behavior was sanctioned.” Does that mean, 'Because the agency oversaw the company’s behavior, they imposed a penalty for some transgression' or does it mean, 'Because the agency was inattentive, they overlooked the misbehavior and gave it their approval by default'?” [1]

There are two antonyms in this sentence. Oversight, which can mean oversee which indicates supervision, or it can mean overlook, which is the opposite, indicating failing to see. Second is the word sanction, which can mean to give official permission or it can mean to impose a penalty. 

A word cannot mean two things at once. It must mean one or the other. By itself the sentence above could be taken either way. What is missing? It is context. Context will determine which meaning is correct. Context is vital to understanding correctly the written word. Rarely is a statement an island unto itself, that is, without a context. The correct understanding of a word or sentence is based not only on definition, but context as well. This is true of any written communication.

The Bible student must come to the Bible using the same concept. As an old professor has said: “The first three rules of Bible study are context, context, and context.”  Roy Zuck gives us three reasons why context is important:[2]

1. Words, phrases, and sentences can have conflicting or multiple meanings, which context will aid in the correct meaning.
2. Thoughts are expressed by a series of words or sentences, all of which are in relation with one another, not isolated from one another. That relationship is context. Context gives the intent and purpose of the writer.
3. Misunderstanding often arises from ignoring or not knowing the context. By not knowing or ignoring the context makes a statement ambiguous leading to distorting or misunderstanding the correct meaning, or simply getting the meaning wrong.

Context are the words, phrases, sentences or passages that throw light on the meaning of a word or sentence by the interrelation which exists or occurs by what surrounds the sentence or word. For the bible expositor it includes what is immediately before and after a passage, the dispensation in which is written, the message of the entire book, and the historical-cultural environment. Context is vital to correct understanding. To withdraw or isolate a statement from its context leads to misunderstanding, confusion, and even reverses the intended meaning. All of this must be considered by the Bible student.

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[1] Judith B. Herman, “14 Words That Are Their Own Opposites,” www.Mentalfloss.com.

[2] Roy B. Zuck, BASIC BIBLE INTERPRETATION, (Victor Books, Wheaton IL), 106-107.