Expounding
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Expounding refers to the act of explaining or interpreting the meaning of a text, particularly Scripture. In the context of the Bible, expounding is a critical practice for understanding the depth and breadth of God's Word. It involves elucidating the meaning of biblical passages, often by providing historical, cultural, and theological context to enhance comprehension and application.

Biblical Basis for Expounding

The practice of expounding Scripture is well-documented in the Bible. In the Old Testament, we see examples of leaders and prophets who expounded the Law to the people. For instance, in Nehemiah 8:8, it is recorded, "They read from the Book of the Law of God, clearly explaining and giving insight so that the people could understand the reading." This passage highlights the importance of making Scripture understandable to the audience.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself often expounded the Scriptures. In Luke 24:27, after His resurrection, Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself." This act of expounding was crucial for the disciples to understand the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ.

The Apostle Paul also engaged in expounding the Scriptures. In Acts 17:2-3, it is noted, "As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead." Paul's method of expounding was to reason and provide evidence from the Scriptures, demonstrating the necessity and reality of Christ's work.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the expounding of Scripture. In John 16:13, Jesus promises, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Holy Spirit aids believers in understanding and interpreting the Bible, ensuring that expounding is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual one that leads to transformation and growth in faith.

Expounding in the Early Church

The early church placed a strong emphasis on the expounding of Scripture. In Acts 2:42, the early believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The apostles' teaching involved expounding the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as the Old Testament Scriptures, to build up the church in sound doctrine.

Practical Application

Expounding is not limited to church leaders or theologians; it is a practice that all believers are encouraged to engage in. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul exhorts Timothy, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." This call to accurately handle the Word implies a need for careful study and expounding of Scripture.

In contemporary Christian practice, expounding is often seen in sermons, Bible studies, and personal devotions. It involves a diligent and prayerful approach to Scripture, seeking to understand its original meaning and apply it to modern life. Through expounding, believers are equipped to live out their faith with greater understanding and conviction, rooted in the truth of God's Word.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Expound.
Library

Fragment xvi. Expounding Again the Law to that Generation which ...
... Fragment XVI. Expounding again the law to that generation which followed
those who were slain in the? Expounding again the law ...
/.../fragment xvi expounding again the.htm

After Expounding the High Estate of the Almighty, the Eternity of ...
... After expounding the high estate of the Almighty, the Eternity of the Son, and the
phrase "being made obedient," he shows the folly of Eunomius in his ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 11 after expounding the.htm

"John," Said I, "Shall I Bring a Man to You...
... Madam, the squire's wife, of our town, hearing how Betty and I loved the scriptures,
brought us, one day, a huge expounding book upon the New Testament; and ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-4 john said i shall.htm

Writings of St. Ambrose.
... It is somewhat similar to the Catecheses Mystagogic?? of St. Cyril of Jerusalem,
expounding the doctrine and ceremonies of these sacraments. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/vi writings of st ambrose.htm

Preaching Incidents
... of the Wesleys Preaching Incidents. Sunday, 28."I began expounding the Sermon
on the Mount, at London. In the afternoon I described ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/preaching incidents.htm

Wesley Begins Field-Preaching
... April 1.--- In the evening (Mr. Whitefield being gone) I began expounding our Lord's
Sermon on the Mount (one pretty remarkable precedent of field-preaching ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley begins field-preaching.htm

An Accident and a Long Sermon
... great. In the beginning of the expounding, there being a large vault beneath,
the main beam which supported the floor broke. The ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/an accident and a long.htm

Testimonies to the Unity of God.
... First, then, ??schylus, [2597] in expounding the arrangement of his work, [2598]
expressed himself also as follows respecting the only God:". ...
/.../justin on the sole government of god /chapter ii testimonies to the unity.htm

John Chapter xvi. 8-11.
... not say, And they shall see me no more; that is, those of whom He had said, "because
they have believed not on me." Of them He spake, when expounding what He ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcv john chapter xvi.htm

Letter cxviii. (AD 410. )
... every side, it does not seem to me proper for him suddenly, as if deaf, to withdraw
himself from all these, and devote himself to the work of expounding to a ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxviii a d 410.htm

Thesaurus
Expounding (3 Occurrences)
...Expounding (3 Occurrences). Mark 4:34 and without a simile he was not speaking to
them, and by themselves, to his disciples he was expounding all. (YLT). ...
/e/expounding.htm - 7k

Explaining (8 Occurrences)
... Explaining (8 Occurrences). Mark 4:34 and without a simile he was not speaking to
them, and by themselves, to his disciples he was expounding all. (See NAS). ...
/e/explaining.htm - 9k

Express (13 Occurrences)

/e/express.htm - 12k

Kelaiah (1 Occurrence)
... In parallel list of 1 Esdras 9:23, he again has a double name-"Colius" and "Calitas."
A "Kelita" is named as helping Ezra at the expounding of the law ...
/k/kelaiah.htm - 7k

Kelita (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Dwarf, a Levite who assisted Ezra in expounding the law
to the people (Nehemiah 8:7; 10:10). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KELITA. ...
/k/kelita.htm - 7k

Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
... yet professed to be a teacher of spiritual things (John 3:10), and emphasized the
reality in His own life of those truths which He had been expounding (John 3 ...
/n/nicodemus.htm - 14k

Exposition (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of expounding or of laying open the sense or meaning of an author,
or a passage; explanation; interpretation; the sense put upon a passage; a ...
/e/exposition.htm - 7k

Explanation (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing
from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in ...
/e/explanation.htm - 9k

Expounders (4 Occurrences)

/e/expounders.htm - 7k

Meshullam (25 Occurrences)
... (10.) A priest (1 Chronicles 9:12). (11.) One of the principal Israelites who supported
Ezra when expounding the law to the people (Nehemiah 8:4). Int. ...
/m/meshullam.htm - 18k

Resources
What does the Bible say about selflessness? | GotQuestions.org

What is expositional preaching? | GotQuestions.org

Does the “God gene” disprove God? | GotQuestions.org

Expounding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Expounding (3 Occurrences)

Mark 4:34
and without a simile he was not speaking to them, and by themselves, to his disciples he was expounding all.
(YLT)

Luke 24:27
and having begun from Moses, and from all the prophets, he was expounding to them in all the Writings the things about himself.
(YLT)

Acts 28:23
and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening,
(YLT)

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Expounding

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