Context: Location, Location, Location

If you’ve ever dabbled in real estate, you know the golden rule: Location, location, location. It’s the foundation of every property’s value. When browsing houses on Zillow, you don’t just focus on granite countertops or an open floor plan—you zoom out. You consider the neighborhood, the local schools, crime rates, and nearby amenities. Why? Because context matters. A beautiful home in the wrong context can lose its appeal, while an average home in the right context can become a treasure.

Context isn’t just a real estate rule—it’s a life rule. And it’s especially important when it comes to understanding Scripture.

Let me share a story. In 1995, my family was walking through an airport when my sister spotted a sleek, silver suitcase. She blurted out, “That suitcase is the bomb!” Today, hearing those words in an airport would send TSA agents into a frenzy. But in 1995, after a moment of tense silence, people nearby chuckled and relaxed. Back then, “the bomb” was slang for something cool or impressive. Same words, wildly different meanings—because context changes everything.

This isn’t just true in real estate or casual conversations. It’s true when we open the Bible. How many times have you heard someone say, “You can’t judge me. The Bible says, ‘Judge not.’” Or maybe, “Money is the root of all evil.” Or even, “All things work together for good.” These phrases are straight from Scripture, but when they’re ripped out of their context, they lose their meaning and sometimes even convey the opposite of what was intended.

So, how do we avoid this mistake? How do we study the Bible faithfully? Acts 17:11 gives us a clue: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” The Bereans didn’t just take Paul’s words at face value—they went back to Scripture to see if his teaching lined up with God’s Word. They paid attention to context.

At our church, we’ve been using a tool called the COMMA Method: Context, Observation, Meaning, Main Idea, and Application. Today, we’re focusing on the first step: Context.

When studying Scripture, the first question we need to ask isn’t, “What does this mean to me?” but “What did this mean when it was written?” Context helps us uncover the author’s original intent. And context comes in two forms: the words written with and the world written in. Today, we’ll focus on the word context—the immediate literary surroundings of a passage. Here are four tips to help us understand it better:

First, use a modern translation. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. Most of us don’t read those languages, so we rely on translations. Some are “word for word” translations, like the ESV, NIV, NASB, and CSB. Others are “phrase for phrase” paraphrases, like the NLT or The Message. These paraphrases are fine for devotional reading, but not for serious study. Then there are translations like The Passion Translation, which go beyond paraphrasing and add words and ideas not found in the original text. I can’t recommend it for either study or regular reading.

Second, read the entire book first. Before diving into individual verses or chapters, familiarize yourself with the big picture. What’s the overall message? What themes emerge? Read it multiple times, make an outline, and highlight key words and ideas.

Third, choose a manageable passage. Chapter and verse numbers weren’t part of the original manuscripts—they were added later for convenience. So when you study, focus on a paragraph or a clear section rather than isolated verses.

Fourth, read the passage in context. Zoom out. Look at what comes before and after. Follow the flow of thought from one chapter to the next. Scripture wasn’t written as a collection of isolated soundbites—it’s a unified story.

To see how this works, let’s tackle three often-misunderstood verses.

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

This verse is frequently quoted to silence any moral accountability. But let’s read the full context. In Matthew 7:1–5, Jesus warns against a specific kind of judgment: hypocritical judgment. He’s not saying, “Never point out sin in others.” In fact, verse 5 says, “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The issue isn’t judgment itself—it’s self-righteousness. Jesus calls us to deal with our own sin first so we can humbly and lovingly help others address theirs. Context changes everything.

“Money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

This verse is often misquoted to suggest that money itself is inherently evil. But let’s read the full sentence: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” It’s not money, but the love of money that causes people to stray from faith and pierce themselves with many pangs. Notice also that it says “a root,” not “the root.” Money isn’t the only source of evil—it’s one of many potential stumbling blocks. Paul isn’t condemning wealth; he’s warning against making wealth your ultimate love.

“All things work together for good.” (Romans 8:28)

This verse is often plastered on coffee mugs and social media posts as a promise of earthly success. But let’s look at the context. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” This promise isn’t universal—it’s specifically for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. And what is the good that God is working toward? Verse 29 tells us: “to be conformed to the image of his Son.” God’s goal isn’t our comfort or prosperity—it’s our Christlikeness. Even our hardships and suffering are tools in His hands to make us more like Jesus.

When we read Scripture in context, we discover its richness and clarity. We see that God’s promises aren’t shallow or trivial—they are deep, transformative, and rooted in His eternal purposes.

The Bible isn’t just a collection of inspiring quotes or ancient proverbs. It’s God’s Word, breathed out for our instruction, correction, and growth. And when we approach it with humility, asking what it meant in its original context, we’ll find not just knowledge, but life.

So let’s commit to being like the Bereans. Let’s study Scripture eagerly, thoughtfully, and faithfully. Because when we understand the context, we can hear God’s voice clearly, and His Word becomes the bomb—not in a way that causes panic, but in a way that brings life, truth, and transformation.

**New City Fellowship’s COMMA Bible study method is a modified version of the COMA method found in One-to-One Bible Reading by David Helm, published by Matthias Media and Holy Trinity Church in 2011.**

Click here to listen to messages from our 2022 sermon series, "The Sword of the Spirit." We dove deep into how to study and interpret God's Word.