“CONTEXTUAL” AND “EXTENDED” APPLICATION

A Scripture text may be quoted or cited and applied in a way that appears to contradict an application made in an earlier instance. In some cases this may be due to greater light of understanding, correcting a former view. In other cases you may be helped by considering whether the application is “contextual,” that is, whether the scripture is being discussed in the light of the context and setting.

For further illustration of this principle, consider the text at 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season.” The Watchtower of November 15, 1971, pages 701-703, explained that Paul was here instructing Timothy, as an overseer in the congregation, with regard to his teaching in the congregation in Ephesus, which faced a “troublesome season,” with some trying to subvert the faith of others by teaching false doctrine, engaging in foolish questionings, and so forth. Timothy was to stay by God’s Word, not some philosophy or ideas of his own.​—2 Tim. 2:14-26; 3:1-17; 4:1-5.

The first application is the contextual one, and expresses the force of what Paul was really saying to Timothy.

However, we should not be indiscriminate and careless in applying Bible texts, remembering, rather, that the contextual application is the primary and basic one. If it is possible to use the text in a secondary or broader application in principle, it can add force to our presentation to point out to our hearers the basic contextual sense and to make clear that we are using the text in its secondary application, applying it only in principle.