PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE STUDY - 4b

4b.   The grammar of scripture....continued.

• CONJUNCTIONS;  these bind arguments together, and itemise thoughts for our greater understanding.   Take for example Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 1v18-29.   Note his use of the word "for" as he expands the meaning of the cross.   In verse 17 he is concerned "lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."   Using the word "for" five times he binds together the thought of the cross to the end of the section.

          Verse 18     -     the cross viewed evangelically.

          Verse 19     -     the cross viewed historically.

          Verse 21     -     the cross viewed intellectually.

          Verse 22     -     the cross view theologically.

          Verse 26     -     the cross viewed socially.

We can see then how by the use of the word "for" Paul explains the teaching of the cross lest we miss its impact.     Another example is of the repetition of the conjunction "and" in what is known by scholars as polysyndeton.   This refers to multiple use of the word "and;" it is common in Holy Scripture.   In 2nd Samuel 17v28-29 the word is used 13 times to describe provisions that were brought to David, while in exile, by a man called Barzillai.  The multiple use of "and" draws attention to every individual item that was supplied and this is noted by the Holy Spirit.   In Genesis 1 the word "and" is used over 100 times.   In Genesis 22 there is also multiple use particularly in verses 6 - 10 in connection with the offering up of Isaac.   God wants us to pay attention to detail.   In Luke 14v13 the word "and" is omitted altogether but in verse 21, referring to the same people the individual groups named are itemised.   "Bring in the poor and the maimed and the halt and the blind."   We dare not miss these emphases in our studies.

• THE LAW OF FIRST MENTION;   This is a very useful principle which enables us to comprehend the meaning of words, place names, etc. throughout.   The law simply states that when God uses something first, He will maintain that meaning to the end.   Some examples are as follows;   Genesis 1v3-4, Light  first use to divide and dispel darkness; Genesis1v22, blessed the core idea is fruitfulness and multiplication;  Genesis 3v1, the serpent deception by subtlety;  Genesis 10v14, the Philistines  a perpetual enemy of Israel, their origin was the rebellion of Babel; they were in the land but never lost their original identity.   There are many more, and the application of this principle is very revealing.
• THE LAW OF PROGRESSIVE REVELATION;   The precious truth of God comes only very slowly, step by wonderful step.  In the language of Isaiah(28v9-10) "here a little, there a little.......line upon line, precept upon precept".   In Genesis He reveals Himself, first as Elohim, then as Jehovah Elohim, then as El Elyon, then as Adonahy, then as El Shaddai etc.   Concerning redemption, we have a lamb for a man in Genesis 22, a lamb for a family in Exodus 12, a lamb for a nation in Leviticus 16, then a lamb for the world in John 1. We are introduced to the seed of the woman, then the seed of Abraham, then of Isaac, then of Jacob, then of Judah, then of David.   The bible is one integral whole and is not complete until the Revelation of Christ at the end.   The climax is astonishing.
• THE LAW OF CONTEXT;   the importance of this cannot be overstated.   The apostle Peter writes in 2 Peter 1v20 "....no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."   The revised version rendering is that "no prophecy of the scripture becomes it own solution."   Just as "no man is an island" so no scripture has to be taken on its own.   In 1st Corinthians 2, in the context of the Spirit searching the deep things of God, the apostle speaks of  "comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (verse 13).   To ignore context is to pervert divine truth just as Satan did when he misquoted Psalm 91v11-12, by omitting some words and ignoring the context.   What do we mean by context?   We mean how the thought relates to the verses immediately before and after; how it relates to the portion of the book in question and the author of the book; how it relates to the cultural environment in which it was written; how it relates to the historical period in which it was written; and how it fits in with the rest of revealed scripture.   We should also note in any passage grammatical changes that are made in person, number, tense, voice or mood.   For example, in Psalm 23, the first three verses are in the third person (the Lord verse 1, He maketh me to lie down verse 2, He leadeth me verse 2, He restoreth my soul verse 3, He leadeth me verse 3).   Then in verse 4-5 he changes it to the first person (verse 4 Thou art with me, verse 4 Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me, verse 5 Thou prepares a table, verse 5 Thou anointest my head with oil).   Changes like that in a text reveal the riches in Holy Scripture, change of number, whether singular or multiple, change of tense, whether past, present or future, a change of voice, whether imperative or passive etc. etc.   Like a precious jewel is seen at its best when set in a golden encasement, so the Holy Scriptures are best understood in context.