The Beauty of Exegesis: A Review of “Interpreting the Pauline Epistles” by Tom Schreiner

“I have often wondered why biblical exegesis is not the consuming passion of pastors and students” (16). So writes Tom Schreiner and he is serious about it. Schreiner, who is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a recognized expert in the field of Pauline studies. His other works on the subject reflect the kind of quality scholarship which has earned him that title. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles, which is part of a series on New Testament interpretation books, edited by Scot McKnight, is very specialized in its focus. The book is a manual on hermeneutics, and yet it sings of passion for understanding God’s Word. It may not be a book for everyone, and yet if every pastor will read it, then we can all benefit from beauty of good exegesis.

The book is a typical manual and guide on the interpretive process. Schreiner walks us through all the various elements of how we interpret Paul’s letters. He walks us through “Understanding the Nature of Letters” by pointing out how the genre affects the interpretation. Especially important, he says, is to remember that they are letters. Schreiner writes:

One of the most crucial points to remember in interpreting Paul’s letters is that they were written to address specific situations. They are not systematic treatises that were intended to present a complete Christian theology. They are pastoral works in which Paul applied his theology to specific problems in the churches (41-42).

If we’re going to rightly interpret Paul then we need to keep this point always before us. Otherwise we may draw improper conclusions or ask too much of the text.

He walks us through the dynamics of textual analysis and translation, and the importance of researching historical and introductory issues. By far, the most significant parts of the book are chapters 5 and 6. Here Schreiner breaks down his method of diagramming and grammatical analysis and tracing the argument. It is highly technical and yet if pastors will master this practice it will open up the Scriptures to them in unparalleled ways. Having been a student of Schreiner’s and having been required to learn this method I can vouch, first hand, for it’s usefulness. It may at times feel tedious but the results are well worth the labor.

You see one of the strengths of reading this book, even though it’s a manual on interpretation, is that its author is convinced of the beauty and power of good exegesis. He writes:

I am convinced that tracing the structure of the argument in the Pauline epistles is the most important step in the exegetical process. One of the weaknesses in many commentaries today is the failure to trace the argument in each paragraph, and the failure to explain how each paragraph relates to preceding and following paragraphs. Instead the commentaries focus on individual words and verses. Readers gain much knowledge about individual elements of the text, but they do not acquire an understanding of the argument of each paragraph or of the complete text (97-98).

The trend among pastors today is to focus on words, or single verses as proof texts for their sermons. Interpretations are based on popular readings and subjective understandings. But if we are going to be a faithful church, and a transformed church, we must root our interpretation and indeed our sermons, in the proper understanding of the text of Scripture. That proper understanding is only possible when we do good exegesis. Schreiner demonstrates this well in his book and those who read it and apply it will see the fruit of this labor in their own ministries. Good exegesis is a beautiful thing!