Exegesis vs. Eisegesis: What’s the Difference?

When studying Scripture, the method you choose matters. For students entering academic theology — whether in a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies or Biblical Studies or a Master of Divinity — understanding how to best approach the Word of God is foundational. One of the first and most essential distinctions theology students can learn is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis, between which biblical scholars make a necessary distinction.

Exegesis (ἐξήγησις) originates from the Greek word exegeomai (ἐξηγέομαι), which means “report,” “explain” or “describe.”¹ It indicates the process of drawing meaning out of a text to understand and convey its original intent. The word exegeomai appears in key New Testament passages like John 1:18, where John emphasizes that Jesus “explained” or “made known” the Father, demonstrating a faithful “drawing out” and revelation of divine truth.

Exegesis, according to Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, “is the careful, systematic study of the Scripture to discover the original, intended meaning.”² This approach honors biblical integrity and aligns with the academic standards of biblical interpretation. Moreover, exegesis is not simply a technical task; it is an act of reverence. Exegetical training enables students to approach Scripture with humility, letting God’s Word speak rather than imposing personal agendas on it. This is a central component of the education offered in Grand Canyon University’s theology degree programs. We believe that “Exegesis puts into practice one’s theory of interpretation. Thus, good hermeneutics will generate good exegetical methods and, in turn, a proper understanding of the biblical text.”³

In contrast to exegesis, eisegesis reads what a reader wants a biblical text to say into that text. Rather than “drawing out” meaning, eisegesis imports meaning into it, which is often shaped by personal biases, cultural trends or theological assumptions. Eisegesis comes from the Greek eisegeomai (εἰσηγέομαι), with the prefix eis- meaning “into.”

Eisegesis refers to the practice of reading one’s own assumptions or experiences into a biblical text. As R. C. Sproul puts it, “Eisegesis is when a person reads their ideas into the text instead of drawing out the author’s intent,” resulting in interpretations that may distort or bypass its theological integrity.⁴ While exegesis is foundational to sound doctrine and faithful teaching, eisegesis risks misrepresenting Scripture by filtering it through a subjective lens. This is particularly dangerous in ministry, where incorrect teaching can mislead congregations and compromise the integrity of the gospel message. Eisegesis may appear harmless — especially when it yields encouraging or relatable interpretations — but it undermines Scripture’s authority by turning the Bible into a mirror of the reader rather than a revelation from God.

Our theology programs — including the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies: Biblical Studies Emphasis and the Master of Divinity — emphasize exegetical precision as essential for faithful teaching, preaching and discipleship. The academic rigor of exegesis can not only equip students to interpret Scripture accurately but also fosters their spiritual maturity. It challenges students to grapple with historical context, original languages and the canonical scope of Scripture.

Our department thus takes the words of Andreas J. Köstenberger and R. D. Patterson as a guidepost:

"As seekers of truth and as lovers of God and others, then, we set out to discover revealed truth and to acquire biblical wisdom as one sets out to mine gold and precious stones. Our conviction that God’s Word is the most precious commodity there is fuels a desire to extract even the last ounce of meaning from the biblical text, no matter how much effort or learning it takes to recover it. In our quest for revealed divine truth, we will be prepared to pay whatever price it takes to hear God speak to us in and through his Word and to proclaim his life-giving message authentically and accurately to others."⁵

Our department’s training protects against superficial readings and can prepare students to engage today’s world with biblical truth and clarity. As Kevin Vanhoozer puts it, “Theology done properly is the church’s attempt to understand what it must say and do in order to be faithful to the word of God in a particular context.”⁶ Exegesis enables this faithfulness. It is not an academic luxury but a pastoral necessity.

At Grand Canyon University, we emphasize the importance of exegetical training in our Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity programs. Students are equipped not only with the tools of interpretation but also with a theological framework that values Scriptural authority and the necessity of faithful interpretation. Learning to distinguish between exegesis and eisegesis is not only an academic exercise but also essential for anyone seeking to teach, preach or live out biblical principles with integrity.

The distinction between exegesis and eisegesis is more than academic, it’s a matter of faithfulness to God’s Word. Exegesis honors the Bible’s authority and equips future ministry leaders to speak truth with clarity and conviction. If you’re passionate about accurately understanding and proclaiming Scripture, we invite you to explore our theology programs and begin a journey grounded in truth.