Why reading the Bible in context matters

I had a professor at Bible College, Dr. Greg Harris, who said something like, "And now children, these three abide, context, context and context; and the greatest of these is context." Reading the Bible in context is:

• The key to not "proof-texting"--isolating Scripture and redefining its meaning.
• Taking into consideration what a Biblical writer intended.
• Reading a passage in view of other matter that precedes and follows it.
• Reading a passage in view of the message of the book of that particular book of the Bible.
• Reading a passage in view of the larger message of the whole Bible.
• Reading in context helps eliminate our bias.
• It is an essential task for accuracy, and since adherence to truth is a major Christian tenet, it is paramount.

Perhaps the most frequently misquoted verse in Scripture is Matthew 18:20. It says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (NIV). People take it to mean:

• "It doesn't matter that there are only a couple of us; we still matter." That's true, but it isn't what the text means.
• "Jesus is present in the smallest contingent of His people." True, but that is not the main meaning in context.

Matthew 18:20 in context is about forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. Jesus says, "When you take corrective action that attempts reconciliation, even if it ends grievously and without satisfactory resolution, I'm there with you. I agree with you. Knowing this, do the hard work of attempting reconciliation. I approve." 

What's the harm in understanding the passage to be a tacit approval of small gatherings of people? It's probably not harmful. Just a little irritating. People will keep doing it no matter what I think. :)  But it is a helpful place to go in Scripture to think a little more deeply about reading the Bible in a more accurate way. And that is pretty important.