In the previous installment of Bible Bridges I cautioned that a verse-by-verse approach (particularly sermons) may unwittingly miss the larger context and lead to an improper focus on a micro-sized portion of Scripture. By following the flow of thought of the author and studying the natural discourse units of Scripture, we have a better chance of being faithful to the biblical text. I cannot overemphasize the importance of such a goal. Fidelity to the Holy Writ is an essential mark of a disciple of Christ.
Nevertheless, there is also a need to ponder the implications of certain words and phrases within the larger unit. Often the biblical authors would tightly pack important words one on top of another. This should alert us to pay attention not only to the larger discourse, but also to the nuanced phrases and words that pack significant theological themes.
It would seem in our modern writing style that we are used to reading and writing shorter sentences. Moreover, today's writing is generally far less complex than ancient writing. Even literature from as recently as the early 20th century hallmarked more elaborate phrases (e.g. independent and subordinate clauses, such as often punctuates my own writing).
Likewise, the vocabulary of our ancestors appear to be far more developed than is ours. I suppose in our hurry to speed through the information bombarding us, fewer people have the patience to wade through the deeper waters of inspired writings—particularly the divinely inspired Word of God. In embarking on this series, my hope has been to influence Christians in many stages in their journey to invest more of their time effectively searching the biblical treasure chest, the rewards from which are eternal. It should be a clear call to think more and more of the things above (Colossians 3:2).
In returning to 1 Peter 1, let us pick up at verse 17. I have copied the text from the Lexham English Bible below. Again, using Logos Bible Software's visual filtering, verbs are underlined and shaded based on voice (active or passive). The words in boxes are nouns in the accusative case. That filter helps me see the nouns typically acting as a direct object of a transitive verb. These two grammatical forms help pinpoint where the action is, and shows even further how verb priority can play out in stimulating study (see part 15 of this Bible Bridges series).
Now the discourse begins even before verse 17. Yet one can see there is so much being said here. Just look at all the theologically significant words: redeemed, blood of Christ, foreknown, revealed, last times, raise him from the dead, faith, hope, God, souls, truth, love, born again, living and enduring word of God, flesh, forever, word...proclaimed. Every one of these have profound significance.
This is where the practice of using cross referencing can be enlightening. Using a standard concordance, one can look up many of these words and see how they are used in other contexts. For instance, hope is a significant biblical theme. Using Logos, searching Scripture is a snap! The Greek word ἐλπίς elpis rendered as hope occurs 53 times in the New Testament.
Logos does a nice job of graphing the results. By displaying the number of hits per book, one can see the word is prominent in Paul's writings and the other epistles. However, it is not found in the Gospels:
It would seem in our modern writing style that we are used to reading and writing shorter sentences. Moreover, today's writing is generally far less complex than ancient writing. Even literature from as recently as the early 20th century hallmarked more elaborate phrases (e.g. independent and subordinate clauses, such as often punctuates my own writing).
Likewise, the vocabulary of our ancestors appear to be far more developed than is ours. I suppose in our hurry to speed through the information bombarding us, fewer people have the patience to wade through the deeper waters of inspired writings—particularly the divinely inspired Word of God. In embarking on this series, my hope has been to influence Christians in many stages in their journey to invest more of their time effectively searching the biblical treasure chest, the rewards from which are eternal. It should be a clear call to think more and more of the things above (Colossians 3:2).
In returning to 1 Peter 1, let us pick up at verse 17. I have copied the text from the Lexham English Bible below. Again, using Logos Bible Software's visual filtering, verbs are underlined and shaded based on voice (active or passive). The words in boxes are nouns in the accusative case. That filter helps me see the nouns typically acting as a direct object of a transitive verb. These two grammatical forms help pinpoint where the action is, and shows even further how verb priority can play out in stimulating study (see part 15 of this Bible Bridges series).
Now the discourse begins even before verse 17. Yet one can see there is so much being said here. Just look at all the theologically significant words: redeemed, blood of Christ, foreknown, revealed, last times, raise him from the dead, faith, hope, God, souls, truth, love, born again, living and enduring word of God, flesh, forever, word...proclaimed. Every one of these have profound significance.
This is where the practice of using cross referencing can be enlightening. Using a standard concordance, one can look up many of these words and see how they are used in other contexts. For instance, hope is a significant biblical theme. Using Logos, searching Scripture is a snap! The Greek word ἐλπίς elpis rendered as hope occurs 53 times in the New Testament.
Logos does a nice job of graphing the results. By displaying the number of hits per book, one can see the word is prominent in Paul's writings and the other epistles. However, it is not found in the Gospels:
What is cool is that in dwelling on a single, prominent word we are then drawn into seeing key biblical themes and how they weave together a tapestry of God's redemptive plan. Thus, upon further reflection, I contend it is a vital task to examine closely key words and phrases. For as we discern their use in their respective contexts, we can more accurately picture the overall destination that the Bible provides us. This blessed hope should compel us to know more about that heavenly calling, and lead us to live today as if that reality were here and now. I cannot help but see that vital truth in the word hope, for it grabs my heart and raises my daily life from self-obsession, selfish ambition, and the sin that so easily entangles:
“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2, LEB)Think long on this. Even though the word hope isn't used in this passage, it permeates throughout (and in its place is the word joy, itself a wonderful theological word). Earnestly pray to God for a greater understanding. Seek the Lord's strength to apply this practically in your life. Invest more and more of your time on this, for eternity is not so far off!
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