Col. 19:20
verses 9-12a, the prayer of Paul and Timothy: spiritual
maturation of the believer
verses 12b-14, position of the believer through God’s
redemptive work
verses 15-17, The Son as ultimate authority and sustainer of
all creation
verses 18-20, all things reconciled to God through His
divine Son
The letter
to the church in Colossians addresses life after salvation for the
believer. It can be seen not only as an
exhortation to continue in the faith, but as also as an explanation concerning
the role of God in the spiritual growth of the believer. Paul writes the believers in Colossae to
“present to [them] the word of God in its fullness” (Col 1:25b, TNIV). The section spanning from verses 9-20,
presents the new life of believers, which is a life of continual growth and
freedom from darkness, as well as God’s activity in their salvation and
perpetual growth. Interestingly,
throughout the section, we observe the motions of God the Father, the Holy
Spirit, and the Son in that process of maturation. Paul, however, chooses to focus on who Christ
is, and presents this discussion as the pivotal theme throughout the rest of the
letter. But, how does Christ express
“the word of God in its fullness”? And,
what are the implications in this to the believers?
Exegesis
“Exegesis”
exists as a term to distinguish the practice of deriving an interpretation from
out of a text (or some other means of language) as opposed to projecting
or imposing our interpretations into the text, which is eisogesis. Exegesis is the discipline of allowing the
text to speak to the reader, rather than allowing our presuppositions to manipulate
the text to conform to what we would like it to mean.
Exegesis is
investigation because it endeavors to explore the text both in its own
historical and cultural context and as it relates to other relevant texts. For example, we might ask, “How does
Colossians 1-9 relate the rest of Colossians?” or “What are some ways that
Paul’s words in verses 15 through 20 could have impacted its original
audience?” The investigation aspect of
exegesis uses variety of methods and approaches—historical, literary, formal,
etc—to derive meaning from a text.
Exegesis is
conversation because it enters into a dialogue with a community—particularly a
literary community where various types of literature are discussed
critically. It is a community
predominantly preoccupied with “literary theory” (which has oftentimes been
defined as the application of theories, originally meant for another
discipline, upon Literature; some examples include Freudian, Foucauldian
philosophy, or Marxism.) Exegesis
persuasively addresses various topics, themes, and issues found within both a
religious community as well as a literary one.
Finally,
exegesis is an art. It is an art because
it employs the sensitivity and imagination of the exegete, which is the one
doing exegesis. Because exegesis is a
discipline, using “scientific” methodologies, it takes experience and practice
on the part of the exegete to hone the skills for improvement. Yet, it is also a creative practice, using
the unique perspective and personality of the exegete as an enlightening
quality of interpretation, rather than just a hindrance (this is also another
way in which exegesis serves as conversation).
The experience, discipline, and creative talents of the writer, or the
explorer, work together in the practice of critical interpretation.
Psalm 3
verses 1-2, enemies rise up, saying the LORD (YHWH) won’t
deliver
verses 3-4, the LORD protects
verses 5-6, the LORD sustains
verses 7-8, the LORD delivers
Psalm 3 is an ancient Jewish poem (which seems to use
chiasmus), written by King David, celebrating the LORD as deliverer, protector,
and sustainer.
The Psalm can be seen as a general movement of
intensification: Verses 1-4 begins with
an unknown number of scoffers, or enemies, which soon results in the LORD’s “answer”
from His holy mountain. Then, verses 5-7
begin with the interruption of a dramatic (and very curious) refrain, where
David lies down to sleep—it is the LORD doing the work here. David awakens, who will now not even fear the
“tens of thousands” of enemies assailing him at all sides, and LORD’s breaking
teeth and smashing jaws; thus, in verse 8, the LORD has delivered.
