ies of statements, arguments, and illustrations
connected with the passage whose meaning is sought, including all the
various connections of thought. The sober interpreter, then, must have
constant reference to the context, as well for the signification of
particular terms as for the general sense of the passage under
consideration. To interpret without regard to the context is to
interpret at random; to interpret contrary to the context is to teach
falsehood for truth.

The necessity of having constant reference to the context for the
determination of the sense, as well as of the particular terms employed,
admits of innumerable illustrations. From these we select a few
examples:

In Rom. 14:23 the apostle lays down the following maxim: "He that
doubteth is damned [literally, _condemned_] if he eat, because he eateth
not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." The context
relates not to the Lord's supper, but to scruples in respect to the use
of particular kinds of food: "One believeth that he may eat all things;
another who is weak"--over-scrupulous in respect to distinctions of
food--"eateth herbs" (ver. 2). Consequently there is no reference here
to the personal qualifications requisite for partaking of that
ordinance, or to the consequence of eating unworthily. The apostle means
to say that whoever has scruples about the lawfulness of using a
particular article of food is condemned if he eat it, "because he eateth
not of faith." He acts contrary to his persuasion of duty. Thus he
violates, in this particular case, that general law of faith which
requires that in all things we keep a conscience void of offence towards
God and man, subjecting ourselves in loving confidence to Christ's
authority, and doing in all things what we believe to be right in his
sight.

Again we read in Gal. 5:4 the words: "Ye are fallen from grace." Taken
out of their connection, these words are ambiguous in their application.
But the context makes all plain. The apostle is addressing those who are
inclined to substitute a system of justification by works for the grace
of the gospel: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you
are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace"--fallen away from
grace, as the original word means. Ye have abandoned the system of grace
revealed in the gospel for one of works.

The psalmist says: "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when
shall I come and appear before God?