✦ Enhanced Edition

Biblical Reading Comprehension

Go deeper than surface reading — learn to understand context, recognize literary patterns, and grasp the original meaning of Scripture. Now with expanded passages, vocabulary exercises, and comprehensive questions.

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Reading in Historical Context

Who wrote it? When? To whom?

Every passage of Scripture was written by a specific person, at a specific time, to specific people. Understanding this context transforms our reading from guesswork to informed study.

Case Study: Paul's Letter to the Philippians

Historical Setting

Author: Paul the Apostle
Date: ~AD 61-62
Location: Written from prison in Rome
Recipients: Believers in Philippi (a Roman colony in Macedonia)

Why It Matters

When Paul writes "I have learned to be content in all circumstances" (Phil 4:11), he's writing from prison. This isn't abstract philosophy — it's tested faith.

Philippians 1:12-14 (KJ3)

"12But I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have fallen out to the advancement of the gospel, 13so that my bonds in Christ became plain in all the praetorium, and to all the rest. 14And most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my bonds, are more abundantly daring to fearlessly speak the Word."

Context Changes Everything

The "praetorium" was the elite Roman guard — 9,000 soldiers who rotated duty guarding Paul. His imprisonment became an evangelistic opportunity! The word "bonds" (chains) appears repeatedly in Philippians, reminding readers of Paul's circumstances.

Additional Passage for Study
Philippians 4:21-23 (KJ3)

"21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, and most of all those of Caesar's household. 23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen."

Historical Note: "Caesar's household" refers to slaves and freedmen who worked in the imperial administration. Paul's imprisonment had brought the gospel into the very heart of the Roman Empire!

Vocabulary Work

Praetorium
Latin: praetōrium — the general's tent; later, the imperial guard
In Paul's context, this refers to the Praetorian Guard, the elite Roman military unit responsible for protecting the emperor. Soldiers from this unit would have been assigned to guard Paul in shifts.
Bonds
Gospel

1. Where was Paul when he wrote the letter to the Philippians?

2. What does Paul say happened as a result of his imprisonment?

3. The phrase "Caesar's household" (Phil 4:22) refers to:

Deep Dive Comprehension

How does knowing Paul was in prison change your understanding of Philippians 4:4 — "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice"?

Reading in Literary Context

What comes before and after?

One of the most common errors in Bible study is taking verses out of context. A text without a context becomes a pretext for saying whatever we want.

Example: "I Can Do All Things"

Philippians 4:13 is often quoted as a motivational slogan. But what is Paul actually saying?

Philippians 4:10-13 (KJ3)

10But I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last your thought for me has flourished, in which you were also thinking, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak concerning need, for I have learned to be content in the things in which I am. 12I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I have been taught, both to be full and to hunger, and to abound and to lack. 13I am able to do all things through Christ, the One strengthening me.

❌ Out of Context

"I can do anything I want — win competitions, get promotions, achieve my dreams — because I'm strong in Christ!"

✓ In Context

"Whether I have much or little, whether I'm honored or imprisoned, I can endure and remain content through Christ's strengthening."

The Principle

Always ask: "What is the all things referring to?" In this passage, "all things" refers to the circumstances Paul just described — abundance and lack, fullness and hunger. It's about contentment, not unlimited achievement.

Another Common Misquote
Matthew 18:19-20 (KJ3)

"19Again I say to you, If two of you agree on earth as to anything, whatever they shall ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in Heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them."

Context Check: Read Matthew 18:15-18 to see what Jesus is actually discussing. This passage is about church discipline and reconciliation — not a general promise about prayer meetings!

Vocabulary Work

Content
Greek: autarkēs (αὐτάρκης) — "self-sufficient, having enough"
Not meaning you don't need anything, but that you have found sufficiency in Christ regardless of external circumstances. Paul's contentment came from Christ, not from his situation.

Complete the context from Philippians 4:12:

"I know both how to be , and I know how to ; everywhere and in all things I have been taught, both to be and to ."

1. According to the context of Philippians 4:11-13, what is Paul saying he can do "through Christ"?

2. The Greek word "autarkēs" (content) means:

3. What error does "proof-texting" commit?

Recognizing Genre

Poetry vs. narrative vs. prophecy

The Bible contains multiple literary genres, and each must be read according to its own rules. Reading poetry as if it were a legal document — or prophecy as if it were historical narrative — leads to confusion.

Major Biblical Genres

📜 Narrative

Genesis, Exodus, Samuel, Kings, Acts
Tells what happened — descriptive

📖 Law

Leviticus, Deuteronomy
Commands for Israel — prescriptive

🎵 Poetry/Wisdom

Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon
Expresses feeling and wisdom

📢 Prophecy

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Revelation
God's message about the future

✉️ Epistles

Romans, Corinthians, Galatians
Letters addressing specific situations

📖 Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Biographical accounts of Jesus

Example: Reading Poetry as Poetry

Psalm 91:4 (KJ3)

"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall trust; His truth shall be your shield and buckler."

Does God have feathers and wings? Of course not! This is poetic imagery — comparing God's protection to a mother bird sheltering her young. The Psalms are filled with metaphors that paint emotional and spiritual truth.

More Poetic Imagery
Psalm 18:2 (KJ3)

"Jehovah is my cliff, and my fortress, and the One who rescues me; my God, my rock, I will seek refuge in Him; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower."

Notice: God is called a cliff, fortress, rock, shield, horn, and tower — all in one verse! These are metaphors describing God's protective nature, not literal physical descriptions.

Example: Reading Narrative Carefully
Genesis 19:30-33 (KJ3)

"30And Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the mountain. And his two daughters were with him. For he feared to live in Zoar. And he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31And the first-born said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to come in to us as is the way of all the earth. 32Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him, that we may keep alive seed of our father."

Key Principle: This narrative describes what happened — it does not prescribe or endorse this behavior. Not everything recorded in Scripture is approved by Scripture. Narrative tells us what people did, not always what we should do.

Genre Principle

When reading poetry, look for the spiritual reality the image points to. When reading narrative, note what is described (what happened) versus what is prescribed (what we should do). Not everything recorded in Scripture is endorsed by Scripture.

Vocabulary: Genre Terms

Metaphor
Prescriptive
Descriptive
Epistle

1. Psalm 91:4 describes God covering us with "feathers" and "wings." How should we interpret this?

2. When a narrative records someone's sinful action, we should understand that:

3. Which genre would contain laws and commandments for Israel?

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Redemption & Atonement

Words of rescue and reconciliation

Some of the most important words in Scripture are easily misunderstood because we use them differently today. Let's examine what they meant to the original readers.

Redemption
Greek: apolytrōsis (ἀπολύτρωσις) — "release upon payment of ransom"
To buy back something that was lost or enslaved by paying the required price. In the ancient world, this often referred to purchasing a slave's freedom.
"In Him we have the redemption through His blood, the remission of deviations, according to the riches of His grace" — Ephesians 1:7 (KJ3)

When Paul wrote about redemption, his readers immediately understood: Christ paid the ransom to free us from slavery to sin. The price was His own blood.

Atonement
Hebrew: kaphar (כָּפַר) — "to cover" or "to make reconciliation"
The act of covering sin and removing the barrier between God and humanity. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest made sacrifice to cover the sins of Israel.
"And Jehovah God made coats of skin for the man and his wife, and clothed them." — Genesis 3:21 (KJ3)
The Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16:15-16 (KJ3)

"15And he shall slaughter the sin offering goat which is for the people, and shall bring in its blood to the inside of the veil. And he shall do with its blood as he has done with the blood of the bullock; he shall sprinkle it on the focus and before the focus. 16And he shall make atonement for the sanctuary because of the uncleanness of the sons of Israel, and because of their transgressions, to all their sins. And so shall he do for the tabernacle of meeting which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness."

Redemption in the Old Testament
Exodus 6:6 (KJ3)

"Therefore say to the sons of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of Egypt, and I will rescue you from their service. And I will redeem you with a stretched out arm and with great judgments."

Note: God's redemption of Israel from Egypt became the pattern for understanding all of God's saving work — including the ultimate redemption through Christ.

Connection

Even in Genesis 3, God "covered" Adam and Eve with animal skins — the first death in Scripture, foreshadowing the atoning sacrifice that would be required to cover sin. An innocent life was taken to clothe the guilty.

Propitiation
Greek: hilastērion (ἱλαστήριον) — "a means of appeasing" or "mercy seat"
The turning away of God's wrath by means of a sacrifice. Unlike atonement (which covers sin), propitiation satisfies the just demands of God's holiness.
"Whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood" — Romans 3:25 (KJ3)

Complete the verse from Ephesians 1:7:

"In Him we have the through His , the remission of deviations, according to the riches of His ."

1. The Greek word for "redemption" originally referred to:

2. The Hebrew word "kaphar" (atonement) literally means:

3. What is the difference between atonement and propitiation?

Justification & Righteousness

Legal terms in the gospel

Justification
Greek: dikaioō (δικαιόω) — "to declare righteous"
A legal declaration that someone is right with the law — not that they've become perfect, but that they are declared innocent. It's a courtroom term: the judge pronounces the verdict "not guilty."
"Having, then, been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" — Romans 5:1 (KJ3)

Justification is not about God pretending we're righteous when we're not. It's about Christ's righteousness being credited to our account. The judge doesn't lie — He transfers the perfect record of Christ to us.

Righteousness
Greek: dikaiosyne (δικαιοσύνη) — "right standing" or "justice"
Being in right relationship and standing with God — conforming to His standard. In Paul's letters, it often refers to the righteousness of Christ given to believers.
"For He made the One who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJ3)
Abraham's Example
Genesis 15:6 (KJ3)

"And he believed in Jehovah. And He counted it to him for righteousness."

Romans 4:3 (KJ3)

"For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.""

Key Point: Abraham was justified (declared righteous) by faith — before the law was given, before circumcision. This proves that justification has always been by faith, not by works.

Imputed Righteousness
Romans 4:22-25 (KJ3)

"22Therefore, also, "it was counted to him for righteousness." 23But it was not written on his account only, that it was counted to him, 24but also on our account, to whom it is about to be counted, to those believing on the One having raised our Lord Jesus from the dead, 25who was delivered up because of our deviations, and was raised up because of our justification."

The Great Exchange

2 Corinthians 5:21 describes what theologians call "the great exchange": Christ took our sin; we receive His righteousness. He who knew no sin became sin so that we might become righteousness.

Imputation
Greek: logizomai (λογίζομαι) — "to reckon, count, credit"
The act of crediting something to someone's account. In justification, Christ's righteousness is imputed (credited) to us, and our sin was imputed to Christ on the cross.
"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not at all reckon sin." — Romans 4:8 (KJ3)

Complete the verse from Romans 5:1:

"Having, then, been by , we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1. "Justification" in biblical terms means:

2. According to Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4, how was Abraham justified?

3. The "great exchange" of 2 Corinthians 5:21 means:

Grace & Mercy

The heart of God toward sinners

Grace and mercy are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings that enrich our understanding of God's character.

Grace
Greek: charis (χάρις) — "favor, kindness, gift"
Receiving good that we don't deserve. Grace gives us what we have no right to claim — blessing, favor, salvation — as a free gift.
"For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" — Ephesians 2:8 (KJ3)
Mercy
Greek: eleos (ἔλεος) — "compassion, pity"
Not receiving the punishment we do deserve. Mercy withholds the judgment and wrath that our sin has earned.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us..." — Ephesians 2:4 (KJ3)
Mercy

God does NOT give us what we deserve (judgment).

Grace

God DOES give us what we don't deserve (salvation, blessing).

Grace in the Old Testament
Exodus 34:6-7 (KJ3)

"6And Jehovah passed by before his face and called out: Jehovah! Jehovah God! Merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and by no means will bring the guilty innocent, visiting the iniquity of fathers on sons, and on sons of sons, to the third and to the fourth generation."

Note: This is God's self-description — how He wants to be known. Both mercy and justice are part of His character.

Grace and Works
Romans 11:6 (KJ3)

"But if by grace, no longer is it of works; else grace no longer becomes grace. But if of works, it is no longer grace; else work is no longer work."

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJ3)

"8For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; 9not of works, that not anyone should boast."

Both at the Cross

At the cross, we see both: Mercy — our punishment fell on Christ, not us. Grace — Christ's righteousness is credited to us freely. God is both "just and the justifier" (Romans 3:26).

Lovingkindness
Hebrew: chesed (חֶסֶד) — "steadfast love, loyal love, covenant faithfulness"
God's faithful, covenant-keeping love that endures despite human unfaithfulness. Often translated as "mercy" or "lovingkindness" in older translations.
"The earth is full of the lovingkindness of Jehovah." — Psalm 33:5 (KJ3)

Complete Ephesians 2:8:

"For by you are , through , and this not of yourselves; it is the of God."

1. Which statement best distinguishes grace from mercy?

2. The Hebrew word "chesed" is best translated as:

3. According to Romans 11:6, why can't salvation be by both grace and works?

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Chiastic Structure

The mirror pattern in Hebrew writing

Hebrew writers often structured their texts in a mirror pattern called a chiasm (from the Greek letter chi: X). Ideas are arranged A-B-C-B'-A', with the center being the main point.

Example: Genesis 6-9 (The Flood)

ACorruption of mankind (6:1-8)
BNoah builds ark, enters (6:9-7:16)
CWaters rise 150 days (7:17-24)
DGOD REMEMBERED NOAH (8:1a)
C'Waters recede 150 days (8:1b-14)
B'Noah exits ark, builds altar (8:15-9:17)
A'Blessing of mankind (9:18-29)
Genesis 8:1 (KJ3)

"And God remembered Noah and every living thing, and all the cattle which were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided."

Finding the Center

The center of the chiasm is the turning point and main emphasis. In the flood narrative, the center is "God remembered Noah" — the story pivots from judgment to rescue at this exact point. Hebrew readers would have immediately recognized this as the theological climax.

Another Chiasm: The Binding of Isaac

Genesis 22 also displays chiastic structure:

A"God tested Abraham" (v.1)
BJourney to Moriah (vv.2-6)
C"Where is the lamb?" (v.7)
D"GOD WILL PROVIDE" (v.8)
C'"Here is the ram" (vv.13)
B'Return journey (v.19)
A'"God blesses Abraham" (vv.15-18)
Genesis 22:8 (KJ3)

"And Abraham said, My son, God will see for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering. And the two of them went together."

Chiasm in the New Testament
Matthew 7:6 (KJ3)

"Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls before the pigs, that they should never trample them with their feet, and turning they tear you."

ADogs / holy things
BPigs / pearls
B'Pigs trample (pearls)
A'Dogs tear (you)

Vocabulary: Literary Terms

Chiasm
From Greek chi (X) — cross-shaped pattern
A literary structure where ideas are presented in A-B-C-B'-A' pattern, with the center being the most important point. Named after the Greek letter chi (X) because of the crossing pattern.

1. In a chiastic structure, where is the main point typically found?

2. What is the theological center of the Flood narrative (Genesis 6-9)?

3. The word "chiasm" comes from:

Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry

The heartbeat of the Psalms

Hebrew poetry doesn't rhyme like English poetry. Instead, it uses parallelism — paired lines that relate to each other in specific ways. Understanding this unlocks the depth of Psalms and Proverbs.

Synonymous Parallelism

The second line restates the first in different words:

Psalm 19:1 (KJ3)

"The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the expanse proclaiming the work of His hands."

Antithetical Parallelism

The second line contrasts with the first:

Proverbs 10:1 (KJ3)

"A wise son makes a glad father;
But a foolish son is grief to his mother."

Synthetic Parallelism

The second line adds to or completes the first:

Psalm 1:3 (KJ3)

"And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which gives its fruit in its season."

More Examples from Proverbs

Synonymous:

Proverbs 11:25 (KJ3)

"The soul of blessing shall be made fat,
and he watering also is watered himself."

Antithetical:

Proverbs 10:4 (KJ3)

"He who deals with a lazy palm becomes poor;
but the hand of the hard worker makes rich."

Synthetic:

Proverbs 4:23 (KJ3)

"Keep your heart with all diligence,
for out of it are the issues of life."

Climactic (Staircase) Parallelism

A fourth type where each line builds on the previous:

Psalm 29:1-2 (KJ3)

"1Give to Jehovah, O sons of the mighty,
give to Jehovah glory and strength.
2Give to Jehovah the glory of His name;
worship Jehovah in the beauty of holiness."

Reading Strategy

When you encounter Hebrew poetry, ask: "How does the second line relate to the first?" Is it restating (synonymous), contrasting (antithetical), adding (synthetic), or building (climactic)? This reveals the author's intent and prevents misreading single lines in isolation.

Identify the Parallelism Type

"The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked comes in his place"
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want"

1. "A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is grief to his mother" is an example of:

2. In synonymous parallelism, the second line:

3. Hebrew poetry primarily uses parallelism instead of:

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Three Questions for Every Text

A practical framework for interpretation

Before applying any passage to your life, ask three essential questions:

1. What did it mean to them?

Original meaning to original audience. What would the first readers have understood?

2. What's the timeless principle?

What theological truth transcends the original situation?

3. How does it apply to us today?

How does the timeless principle speak to our situation?

Worked Example: 1 Corinthians 8 (Food Sacrificed to Idols)

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (KJ3)

"9But be careful lest this authority of yours become a cause of stumbling to the weak. 10For if anyone sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol's temple, will not the weak one's conscience be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11And your brother, the weak one, will be destroyed by your knowledge, for whom Christ died. 12And sinning in this way against the brothers, and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will not at all eat flesh forever, so that I do not cause my brother to stumble."

Original Meaning

Corinthian Christians wondered if they could eat meat sold in markets that had been offered to idols. Paul says the idols are nothing — but if eating offends a weaker believer, love should govern freedom.

Timeless Principle

Christian liberty should be exercised in love. We willingly limit our freedom when it might harm another believer's conscience.

Modern Application

This isn't about idol meat today — but it speaks to how we handle controversial matters where believers disagree. Our freedom is real, but love trumps liberty.

Another Example: Foot Washing
John 13:14-15 (KJ3)

"14If then I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. 15For I gave you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."

Original Meaning

In the ancient world, foot washing was a slave's task. Jesus humbled Himself to demonstrate servant leadership.

Timeless Principle

Christians are called to humble service — no task is beneath us if it serves others.

Application: Most believers don't literally wash feet today (though some do as a ceremony). The principle is: serve others in practical, humble ways that meet real needs.

The Holy Kiss
Romans 16:16 (KJ3)

"Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you."

Applying the Three Questions: The original meaning was a customary greeting in that culture. The timeless principle is warm, genuine affection among believers. Today we might apply this through handshakes, hugs, or whatever culturally appropriate greeting expresses sincere Christian love.

1. When interpreting Scripture, what should be established FIRST before determining modern application?

2. The "timeless principle" in interpretation refers to:

3. In 1 Corinthians 8, what should govern a Christian's use of liberty?

Practice the Three Questions

1 Timothy 2:9 (KJ3)

"In the same way also, I desire the women to adorn themselves in modest clothing, with reverence and focus, not in braiding hair or gold or pearls or costly garments."

What was the original meaning to Timothy's audience?

What timeless principle can you identify?

How might this apply today?

Common Interpretation Errors

Mistakes to avoid in Bible study

1. The "Promise Box" Error

Taking promises made to specific people (Abraham, Israel, the disciples) and applying them universally without discernment.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJ3)

"For I know the purposes which I am planning for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Context: This was written to Jewish exiles in Babylon, promising they'd return to their land after 70 years. It's not a blank check for whatever future we want — but it does reveal God's character as one who plans good for His people.

The Full Context
Jeremiah 29:10 (KJ3)

"For so says Jehovah, When according to My mouth, seventy years have been fulfilled for Babylon, I will visit you and bring about for you My good word, to bring you back to this place."

The promise had a specific timeline (70 years) and specific recipients (the exiles). This doesn't mean God has no good plans for us — but we shouldn't claim specific promises that weren't addressed to us.

2. The "Newspaper Exegesis" Error

Reading current events into prophecy, assuming we're always living in the final generation.

Better Approach

Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Ask what the text meant to its original audience before speculating about end-times fulfillment. Every generation since Christ has believed they were the last — humility is appropriate.

3. The "Allegorizing" Error

Finding hidden spiritual meanings that the author never intended.

Example: Claiming that the "two fish and five loaves" represent specific things (the five books of Moses, the two testaments, etc.) when the text presents them simply as a boy's lunch that Jesus multiplied.

Historical Example of Over-Allegorizing

Some early church fathers interpreted the Good Samaritan parable this way:

  • The man = Adam
  • Jerusalem = Heaven
  • Jericho = The world
  • Robbers = The devil
  • Priest & Levite = Law and prophets
  • Samaritan = Christ
  • Inn = The church
  • Two coins = Father & Son

While creative, this misses Jesus' actual point: "Who is my neighbor?" The answer: anyone in need.

Rule of Thumb

If a meaning would be invisible without special "spiritual insight" — and the original readers would have no way to discover it — it's probably not the intended meaning.

4. The "Mirror Reading" Error

Over-confidently reconstructing the situation behind a letter based only on the response.

Example
1 Corinthians 11:5 (KJ3)

"But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head..."

Caution: We know Paul addressed head coverings, but we should be careful about assuming exactly what the Corinthians were doing or thinking. We have Paul's answer, not their question.

5. The "Word Study Fallacy"

Assuming a word means the same thing everywhere it appears, or that etymology determines meaning.

Example: "Ekklesia"
Greek: ek (out) + kaleo (to call) = "called out ones"
Fallacy: Claiming the church is defined as "the called-out ones" based on etymology.

Reality: In Greek usage, ekklesia simply meant "assembly" or "gathering." Etymology doesn't determine meaning — usage does. The word was used for town meetings with no religious connotation.

Match the error to its description:

Applying specific promises universally
Finding hidden meanings the author didn't intend
Reading current events into prophecy

1. Jeremiah 29:11 ("I know the plans I have for you...") was originally written to:

2. The "allegorizing error" involves:

3. The word study fallacy assumes that:

Reflection

Think of a verse you've commonly heard quoted. What is its original context, and does that change how you understand it?