過去經學史研究者常認為明代經學「至為衰微」、「五經掃地，至此而極」，事實上，我們若從明清經義（即八股文）等過去被「漢學眼光」摒棄的文獻來觀察，不但可以考見明代中葉以後經籍詮釋之變化生新，而且此一路數還可能旁及更多經學材料、與不同層次的學術面相。本篇試圖指陳明代經義文解讀經書的三大階段：從「守經遵註」、到「以經解經」、再到「聖賢意中所必有」的「背經」新觀點。進一步討論明代經義文如何在這樣的解經趨勢下，不斷提昇詮釋者的主體地位，造就了經義的分岐競爭，並發展出指涉時政的用世關懷。

Many earlier studies considered classical (i.e. Confucian canons) studies in the Ming Dynasty of low research value. These evaluations may not be valid. By looking into the long-time overlooked Ba Gu essays, it is possible to observe that the interpretation of classical studies had experienced new developments since the mid-Ming Dynasty. Through a closer examination, these essays can be also related to other classical materials and different aspects of academic researches. This paper intends to point out the three phases of how Ba Gu essays in the Ming Dynasty explained the classics: From the “strict acceptance” to the “expanded interpretation” and then to the “rewriting.” The impacts of these three phases could include: the rising of the canon interpreters’ position; the diversion of and the competition between interpretations of the classics; and the development of the intellectuals’ concerns in contemporary politics.