Writing Up the Bible Essay

1. Give the passage you are explaining in the translation you are using (i.e. if
your main translation is the NIV, print it in the NIV, if ESV, print ESV). It is
assumed you have used more than one translation, but there will be one
you prioritise.

2. Give a brief introductory paragraph that summarises what you think the
basic point of the passage is. Of course, this point that you are making is
what you are going to prove in the remainder of the essay, but here I want
to know, right up front, what is the basic point of interpretation of this
passage. Here is an example of an introductory paragraph to Romans
8:18-23

In Romans 8:18-23, Paul turns his vision to a consideration of how

salvation affects the entire creation, rather than just human beings
exclusively. As part of his broader discussion that the experience of
suffering does not invalidate the gospel, Paul argues that creation is
eagerly anticipating the day of resurrection, for on that day not only will
human beings be liberated into a new, eternal existence, but the whole
creation will be set free. Therefore, our present state of groaning and
frustration is temporary, and a glorious inheritance awaits.

3. Give the historical context of your passage. So for you, that means
attending to details like when Colossians was written? To whom was it
written? What was going on in the church to provoke what Paul wrote?
This is where your research on historical background will come into play.

4. Give the literary context of your passage – which means providing some
sort of indication as to where your passage comes in the whole letter.
What has Paul been arguing about just before your passage? What about
straight after? How does this passage fit into the larger scheme of the
letter? Does your passage represent a climax to an argument? Is it
preparation for a later argument?

5. Give the structure of the passage. This asks you to work out how to
subdivide your passage. Here you will probably need help from the
 commentaries – for example, do they treat your passage as consisting of
two parts or three parts, or however many.

a. An example, if you were doing Phil 2:5-11, you might break that
text up into two bits

i. The Humiliation of Christ (Phil 2:5-8)

ii. The Exaltation of Christ (Phil 2:9-11)

6. Give a detailed commentary on your passage. Here you should follow the
structure you outlined in point 5, working systematically through the parts,
commenting in as much detail as space will allow. At the end, you should
give a short conclusion to sum up your commentary.

7. Give an application of the passage to the present day. Your application

should show some connection to the work you have done in the previous
sections. So, even though we live in a different context, show the core
principles that apply across cultures.