Books Quote by Marcus J. Borg
““When we read Paul, we are reading somebody else’s mail—and unless we know the situation being addressed, his letters can be quite opaque...It is wise to remember that when we are reading letters never intended for us, any problems of understanding are ours and not theirs.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Gospel of Thomas: The Gnostic Wisdom of Jesus, 1992
Understanding Paul requires context; without knowing his audience, his letters seem obscure and personal misunderstandings arise.
In simple terms: Paul’s letters need context to be clear.
Key Takeaway
Seek background before judging.
Themes
interpretation
context
communication
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
explanatory
reflective
When to use this quote
- theology studies
- Bible study groups
- academic research
- personal reading
Key Concepts
historical criticism
hermeneutics
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you bring to a text?
- How might knowing the original audience change your view?
A Different Perspective
Even with context, personal bias can still cloud comprehension.
