TRUTH & ERROR IN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE

By Akin Ojumu

Hermeneutics. Exegesis. Eisegesis. Narcigesis.

If you’ve followed my commentaries long enough, you probably have come across those theological jargons in not a few of my writings. These are terms used to describe interpretation of Bible texts.

So, what do these terminologies mean” How exactly do they differ?

The primary difference lies in the direction of the interpretation and the underlying rules being used to read a text. Hermeneutics is the overarching study of interpretation rules; exegesis extracts the author’s original meaning; eisegesis forces the reader’s own ideas into the text; and narcigesis twists the text to make it entirely about the reader.

Hermeneutics is the field of study concerned with the rules and principles of interpretation, while exegesis is the actual, practical application of those rules to understand a specific text. Think of hermeneutics as the theoretical blueprint or rulebook, and exegesis as the hands-on building process or the game itself.

Eisegesis, on the other hand, is the practice of reading one’s own preconceived ideas, biases, or agendas into a text, whereas narcigesis is a highly specific, self-centered form of eisegesis where the reader places themselves as the central figure or hero of the text. Both stand in direct contrast to exegesis, which is the objective process of drawing the author's original intended meaning out of a text.

While these four terms are most commonly used in biblical and theological studies, they apply to the critical analysis of any historical or literary text. For example, because Shakespeare writes from a distant historical period, modern readers inherently use hermeneutic principles to bridge the 400-year cultural and linguistic gap.

1. Hermeneutics: The Rules of the Game

Derived from the Greek word hermeneuo (“to interpret”), hermeneutics establishes the legal, philosophical, or theological guidelines for reading a text. Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpretation. It does not refer to the actual breakdown of a specific verse, but rather the overarching philosophical strategy or rulebook you choose to use before you even start reading.

The Goal: To determine how we make sense of a text and bridge the historical, linguistic, and cultural gaps between ancient writers and modern readers.

The Concept: Think of hermeneutics like the rules of sports. It dictates how you handle context, historical gaps, and literary genres (like poetry vs. historical reporting).

The Analogy: Hermeneutics is the blueprint; building the house is the application.

Examples of Hermeneutical Rules: Determining if a passage should be read literally or allegorically; recognizing how the author’s genre (e.g., poetry, legal code, historical narrative) shapes how we read it.

2. Exegesis: “To Lead Out Of”

Derived from the Greek word exegeomai, exegesis literally means “to lead out of.” This is universally considered the objective, scholarly, and faithful way to study a text.

The Concept: You approach the text as an investigator with zero assumptions. You look at the original language, cultural background, and surrounding sentences to pull the truth out of the text.

The Goal: To hear the text as the original audience would have heard it, preventing the reader from forcing their own modern biases onto the text (a mistake known as eisegesis).

The Process: An exegete analyzes specific words, syntax, historical events happening at the time of writing, and the immediately surrounding paragraphs.

Example: When studying a letter written by Paul, an exegete asks: “What did Paul mean when he wrote this to people living in ancient Rome?”

3. Eisegesis: “To Lead Into”

Derived from the Greek prefix eis-, meaning “into,” eisegesis is the exact opposite of exegesis. It occurs when a reader injects their own modern biases, cultural assumptions, or preconceived notions directly into the text.

The Concept: Instead of listening to what the text says, you force the text to say what you want it to mean. It typically involves pulling single sentences entirely out of context to maintain a specific argument.

4. Narcigesis: “Making it All About Me”

Narcigesis is a modern, informal blend of narcissism and eisegesis. It is a hyper-personalized form of reading where the interpreter views themselves as the central focus of every story.

The Concept: Rather than reading a text to learn about God, history, or broader theology, the reader treats the text like a self-help mirror. Every historical hero becomes a metaphor for the reader’s personal struggles, and every villain represents their critics.

Illustrative Examples of Eisegesis and Narcigesis

1. The Story of David and Goliath

Eisegesis: A reader uses the text to argue that the story proves ancient Israelites possessed advanced ballistic military knowledge, completely ignoring the theological context of divine intervention.

Narcigesis: A reader views themselves as David. They interpret the narrative as a self-help metaphor about how they have the personal strength to defeat the “giants” in their own life (such as debt, a bad boss, or personal doubt), rather than seeing the story as a demonstration of God’s power.

2. Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”)

Eisegesis: A theological interpreter uses this verse out of context to build a doctrine claiming that Christians are physically invincible or guaranteed financial prosperity.

Narcigesis: An athlete writes the verse on their shoes, interpreting it as a personal guarantee from God that they will win their upcoming sports match or achieve personal fame.

Scriptures are God breathed. The authors of the Books of the Bible did not write a single word contained in the Bible of their own volition. They wrote as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. As it were, their cognitive function was co-opted by the Holy Spirit who moved them to write exactly what God intended to communicate.

2 Peter 1:21

“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

The meaning of a Bible passage is neither subjective nor subject to its interpreter. Every text of Scripture has its intended meaning. When the words of the Bible were put together to form sentences, and sentences to paragraphs, paragraphs into chapters, and chapters into books, God had a precise and predetermined message He wanted to convey.

“The Bible is no ordinary book. It is a unique book, the very Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and so when we read it, we are trying to discern what the living God has to say to us.” (Source: Ligonier Ministry).

When we read a Bible passage, our goal must always be to discover its true, original, intended meaning. Every time a Bible text is read, we must faithfully draw out from it the message the text intends to disclose. This approach to interpreting the Bible is what’s described as Exegesis.

Reading our thoughts, opinions, and ideas into the Bible comes with great peril. It is an abomination to distort the Scriptures or obscure its original intended meaning. To twist God’s Word is to invite God’s wrath.

Deuteronomy 4:2

“You shall not add to the Word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”

We cannot claim to fear God and then treat the Bible with irreverence, by polluting and diluting it with human ideas and mixing it with doctrines of demons. Do you think it is a small thing to distort the Word of God? Do you not know there are severe consequences for twisting the Bible? Have you no fear of God? God’s command about His Word is pretty clear.

Revelations 22:18-19

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

There’s no excuse for perverting the Word of God. It is the duty of all true believers in Christ to work hard to interpret and understand the Bible accurately.

2 Timothy 2:15

“Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.”

A day of reckoning is coming for anyone who mangles and bungles the Word of God. On that day of God’s wrath, twisters and distorters of God’s Word will blush with shame and embarrassment at the fury of God.

Psalm 138:2

“I bow down toward your Holy Temple and give thanks to your Name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your Name and your Word.”

At all times the Word of God must be hallowed, just as we hallow His name. It is a dangerous thing to trifle with the Scriptures. Those who irreverently and dishonorably handle God’s Word do so at their own peril.

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References: This commentary availed itself of information generated through AI queries.