When do we ‘interpret’ scripture and when do we ‘apply’ scripture?
The word "exegesis" means "a personal interpretation of a text (especially the bible), using your own (human) ideas.” Our Apostle Paul says to not use man's wisdom to understand things, but,rather, God's secret wisdom found in Paul's 13 books to understand the bible. (That's why most of Christianity does not know the mystery!)
1 Corinthians 2:12-13
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I [Paul] say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
We are to allow the Holy Ghost to teach us today, and Paul says that if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Galatians 5:18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but [we are] under grace.
And Paul says that men who do not rightly divide the bible will put you under the law or performance system to please God...
1 Timothy 1:6-7
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
So exegesis—again, one’s own personal interpretation of scripture—is harmful for us, if it is not rightly divided!
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As far as taking old testament passages of scriptures and making them relative to the lives of Christians today, that's okay. That is called ‘application.’ We may ‘apply’ godly principles from other dispensations to our lives.
For example, take God's attitude toward Israel's sins...
Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
…We can learn that He hates our sins also.
1 Corinthians 10:10-11
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Or, telling them to pay their national taxes, which He calls a tithe…
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
…Whereas, Paul tells us to pay our national taxes too.
Romans 13:1-8
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Israel was told how much to give (the tithe); our giving today is by grace, not commandment.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Speaking directly to us or about us on how to give money to church...
Most Christians (especially the pastors) think that God is requiring the tithe, today; but, he is not! Tithing was God's command to the nation of Israel to give to the tribe of Levi to run that government. It was like our income tax. So technically, for us to tithe, we would have to give it to our government, not to the church (Leviticus 27). By the way, tithing in Israel was not even money! It was their flocks and the fruit of their land, crops, etc.
Again, today we are to give to fund the ministry as explained by our Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where he says that as a man purposeth in his heart, as God has prospered him, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity but cheerfully. Today we give whatever we chose--it is between us and God. We are not required to give a certain percent [a tithe] like Israel. (There is a sermon on tithing on our website, dated 1/16/11.)
We are to ‘interpret’ what our Apostle Paul wrote to us for us. However, we can apply the godly principles from the old testament to our lives, as long as they don't oppose what Paul wrote to us.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Remember, while all scripture is profitable for us...
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
...but the books that are directly to us and about us are Paul's 13 epistles. We can learn principles and spiritual applications from the other 53 books, but we are not allowed by God to interpret them as to ourselves. He wrote those books to the nation of Israel, and they apply to that nation.
Hopefully this helps!
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