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Interpretation Paper -- BIBL 322 (Wallace)

Length: 9-10 pages (double-spaced, New Times Roman 12 pt. font)

Due date: see syllabus for due date.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to effectively interpret a biblical passage in one of Paul’s

letters and recognize relevant theological truths from the passage.

Directions: After praying and asking God for wisdom, choose a passage in one of Paul’s letters

that interests you of approximately 5-12 verses. Up to this point in the course, you have already

completed the basic exegetical steps for interpreting a passage. You have read most of the Paul’s

letters, answered relevant questions concerning Paul’s theology and context, and gained insight

into the historical, cultural, and theological background of Paul through your reading and

quizzes.

Now you are ready to take additional general interpretive steps for the paper. First, read your

chosen passage several times, jotting down observations and questions (about the author,

audience, purpose, tone, key words, difficulties, etc.). Second, divide the passage into “units of

thought” (similar to contemporary paragraphs), be aware of Paul’s thought rhymes and contrasts,

and decide which of these “units of thought” (sections) of your chosen passage will be the

primary focus of the paper (these divisions may also help in coming up with sub-headings for

your paper for the interpretive section). Third, when reading, use different translations and

available scholarly Bible study tools in determining the significant words and phrases of the

passage.

Once you have determined the specific passage and its divisions and have interacted with the text

in asking relevant questions, follow the steps below to gather detailed notes for writing the body

of your paper:

A. Consider how the chosen passage fits within the overall flow of the book, particularly the

preceding and following passages (when writing your paper, keep this information to about two

paragraphs).

o How does this passage relate to the author’s overall purpose?

o What overall theological emphases of the letter might contribute to a better

understanding of the meaning of the chosen passage?

B. Research the cultural-historical background of the passage (consult Commentaries and relevant

Bible Dictionaries or helpful background books such as the IVP Biblical Background Commentary

by Craig Keener).

C. Make note of any literary devices and their function in the passage.

D. For key sentences of the passage, analyze the grammar and function (consult exegetical

commentaries or a Greek Grammar).

E. Analyze key words/phrases of the passage:

a. Determine the range of meaning that the author may have intended by (1) consulting

other translations and relevant lexicons (BDAG preferred) and (2) see how the author

used these key words elsewhere in the letter.

b. Consider how this word used in other books of the New Testament or Old Testament

(LXX).

c. If relevant, consider how this word is used in Greco-Roman culture.

d. Based on the above analysis, decide on authorial intent and meaning for the significant

word(s) and phrase(s).

F. Investigate how the theological concepts of the chosen passage relate to biblical and theological

teaching in Paul.

a. Investigate how the theological concepts of the chosen passage relate to biblical and

theological teaching in the letter.

b. Consider how the theological concepts of the chosen passage might relate to biblical

and theological teaching elsewhere in Paul’s letters.

G. Draw out two or more theological truths from the passage—be specific and clear.

H. Apply these truths to a relevant and practical issue in ministry

When you have completed gathering relevant notes in the above steps, you are now ready to

organize and write your paper. (It is likely that students will gather more information than five

pages. A good paper will do this and allow for editing, reducing, and revising so the information

is written cohesively with clarity.)

• Introduction (in one paragraph gain attention in a relevant manner, and at the end of the

paragraph write a one-sentence thematic thesis sentence).

• Body of the Paper

Interpretation (6 pages)

- Explain how this passage fits within the overall flow of the letter, particularly in

relation to the theological flow of the letter (Step A—keep this part to less than a

page)

- Explain the meaning of the passage, specifically what the author intended his

reader(s) to understand “then” in the first century context (organize the information

from steps B thru E based on the internal divisions of the passage—6 or more

pages).

Theological Truths (3 pages)

- Incorporate information from steps F and G—dedicate at 3 pages on how the

theological concepts of the chosen passage relate to biblical and theological

teaching within the letter

- In one page, explain how the theological concepts of the chosen passage relate to

biblical and theological teaching elsewhere in Paul’s letters.

Application (1/2 to 1 page)

- Apply one or more of the theological truths to a practical ministry situation today.

- Or apply one or more of the theological truths to the believer’s life and Christian

practice

• Conclusion (in one or two paragraphs, restate the main ideas of paper without adding new

information)

• Bibliography (at least 10 scholarly sources—include two exegetical commentaries and three or

more scholarly journal articles).

Grading Criteria

Content (65%) - degree to which the paper adequately interprets a passage in one of

Paul’s letters (engaging in scholarly research and evidencing the above exegetical

steps), contributes to a better understanding of Paul’s theological emphasis of the

passage in his letter, and applies key theological truths to a contemporary

situation.

Grammar and style (25%) - degree to which the paper is free of errors, well organized,

written with cohesive paragraphs, appropriate for the university level.

Formatting (10%) - degree to which the paper utilizes scholarly sources and follows the

conventions for citing sources (Turabian style unless student receives approval to

use APA).