Bible Quote by J. I. Packer
“God's Word is not presented in Scripture in the form of a theological system, but it admits of being stated in that form, and, indeed, requires to be so stated before we can properly grasp it - grasp it, that is, as a whole. Every text has its immediate context in the passage from which it comes, its broader context in the book to which it belongs, and its ultimate context in the Bible as a whole; and it needs to be rightly related to each of these contexts if its character, scope and significance is to be adequately understood.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "Knowing God" by J. I. Packer, 1973
Understanding Scripture requires seeing each passage in its immediate, broader, and ultimate biblical context.
In simple terms: Interpret verses within their full biblical setting.
Key Takeaway
Study context to grasp meaning fully.
Themes
interpretation
biblical studies
contextualization
Mood
thoughtful
academic
Type
theological
educational
When to use this quote
- Bible study groups
- seminar teaching
- personal devotions
Key Concepts
Hermeneutics
theological methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does broader context shift your view?
- What challenges arise in linking ultimate context?
A Different Perspective
Contextual study can be time‑consuming.
![“Sometimes we can lose the wood for the trees. Some specific issues dealt with in the book [Saving Calvinism]: the scope of election (who is saved?); the nature of the atonement (do we have to hold to penal substitution if we're Reformed?); the scope of the atonement (for whom did Christ die?)…” quote by Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74c/oliver-d-crisp-12863_atonement_sometimes-we-can-lose-the-wood-for-the-t_1996596.jpg)
