Expository preaching is a form of preaching that focuses on explaining the biblical text to the audience during each sermon. Though an expository sermon can be topical, most expository preaching includes a week-by-week series through a specific book of the Bible to help listeners understand the text and how it applies to the lives of believers today.
Expository preaching involves the exposition, or comprehensive explanation, of Scripture; that is, expository preaching presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. The word exposition is related to the word expose—the expository preacher’s goal is simply to expose the meaning of the Bible, verse by verse.
As a method, expository preaching differs from topical preaching and textual preaching. To prepare a topical sermon, the preacher starts with a topic and then finds a passage in the Bible that addresses that topic. For example, for the chosen topic of “laziness,” the preacher might refer to Proverbs 15:19 and 18:9 and touch on Romans 12:11 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10. None of the passages is studied in depth; instead, each is used to support the theme of laziness.
In a textual sermon, the preacher uses a text as a springboard for discussing a particular point. For example, someone could use Isaiah 66:7–13 to preach on motherhood, although motherhood is only peripheral in that text, being merely an illustration of the true theme, which is the restoration of Israel during the Millennial Kingdom.
In both topical and textual sermons, the Bible passage is used as support material for the topic. In expository sermons, the Bible passage is the topic, and support materials are used to explain and clarify it.
Expository preaching includes an emphasis on understanding and explaining the original language, history, and culture involved in the particular biblical text each week. For example, a preacher's preparation will likely include study of key words in the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek original text, investigation of commentaries regarding the interpretation of the text, and the use of other tools to help provide background information that is important to understanding the situation of the original author and audience.
The emphasis in expository preaching is God and His glory, rather than human needs or preferences. Though Scripture clearly addresses the needs of people, the goal is to help hearers understand God's perspective of key issues and apply them to life. By teaching Scripture in its original context, expository preaching helps to remove the bias of choosing certain topics over others as well as avoiding difficult topics.
The goal in expository preaching is not whether the hearer likes the message or is entertained by it, but whether the text of Scripture has been accurately communicated for the understanding of the audience. God's Word is powerful when taught clearly, and expository preaching is a great method to do that.