Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Do the New Testament writers ever use the Old Testaments verses that they quote out of context? It’s an important concept to consider because many people use proof texting to make theological arguments. They will quote a verse divorced from its context and declare that it means what they want it to mean. So if the writers of the NT, who were inspired by God, used those same techniques, then proof texting must be approved. But of course that is ridiculous, because the heart of proof texting is to put your words in God's mouth rather than putting His words in your mouth which is the purpose of the Word of God.
In this episode, we examine how the New Testament writers handled the Old Testament and how often comprehending the meaning of a passage in the New Testament requires knowing and understanding the fuller context of the Old Testament passage that was referenced. New Testament writers would often just quote a single line from the Old Testament, expecting that those who love God and His Word would be willing to study the Bible and spend the time to understand. But today, most people in the pews, and even most pastors know very little about the Old Testament. So here’s the question: If it is wrong to proof text, how does that change how we should look at the Word of God when it quotes from an earlier writer?
Thumbnail image by Arran Bee under CC BY 2.0
Timecodes
00:00 Intro
05:22 God Inspired Everything
14:30 Under the New Covenant
22:29 Muzzling the Ox
29:57 The Just Shall Live By Faith
38:59 Den of Thieves
50:08 The Virgin With Child
52:20 Out of Egypt I Called My Son
Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts - Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director - Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music - Gabriel Hudelson
Do the New Testament writers ever use the Old Testaments verses that they quote out of context? It’s an important concept to consider because many people use proof texting to make theological arguments. They will quote a verse divorced from its context and declare that it means what they want it to mean. So if the writers of the NT, who were inspired by God, used those same techniques, then proof texting must be approved. But of course that is ridiculous, because the heart of proof texting is to put your words in God's mouth rather than putting His words in your mouth which is the purpose of the Word of God.
In this episode, we examine how the New Testament writers handled the Old Testament and how often comprehending the meaning of a passage in the New Testament requires knowing and understanding the fuller context of the Old Testament passage that was referenced. New Testament writers would often just quote a single line from the Old Testament, expecting that those who love God and His Word would be willing to study the Bible and spend the time to understand. But today, most people in the pews, and even most pastors know very little about the Old Testament. So here’s the question: If it is wrong to proof text, how does that change how we should look at the Word of God when it quotes from an earlier writer?
Thumbnail image by Arran Bee under CC BY 2.0
Timecodes
00:00 Intro
05:22 God Inspired Everything
14:30 Under the New Covenant
22:29 Muzzling the Ox
29:57 The Just Shall Live By Faith
38:59 Den of Thieves
50:08 The Virgin With Child
52:20 Out of Egypt I Called My Son
Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts - Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director - Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music - Gabriel Hudelson
