Observation – Part Three: Words and Grammar
I watched a strange movie a few years ago called “Arrival.” In this movie, aliens arrive on Earth in their alien spacecraft. When humans enter the spacecraft, they realize the aliens are attempting to talk to them. Unfortunately, the aliens speak a strange new language with strange new symbols. So the movie’s premise is that the main characters must decipher and interpret the symbols the aliens provide.
I am thankful the Lord did not speak to us in a strange new language with strange new symbols. Rather, the Lord graciously spoke to us in words and grammar that we can understand. We have been considering how to read the Bible, beginning with observation. After we have observed the Book Overview and the genre of the biblical book, we can finally begin to look at the actual words and grammar of the text.
Imagine our puzzle again. The “book overview” is looking at the picture on the box, finding the genre is finding those “border” pieces. Now, observing the words is examining the actual puzzle pieces. When we come to any passage of Scripture, start by observing some important words.
First, observe repeated words. If you find some words that are repeated over and over again, make a note; it must be important. For example, the word “light” is used 3 times in 1 John 1, the word “proclaim” 3 times. That clues us in that these words are significant to John’s meaning.
Second, observe connecting words. Words or phrases like “therefore” or “in order that” or “for” connect words and sentences together in significant ways. For example, in 1 John 2:16, John says “For all that is in the world… is not from the Father but is from the world.” That for tells us that this sentence explains the reason for the previous verse.
Third, observe key words, names, and titles. In narratives, names and titles teach us a lot about the story and the characters. In any passage, key words (and words we don’t know the meaning to yet) clue us in to the key themes in the text.
As we begin to observe the words, we can then observe the grammar. I know, I know… you already took that in elementary school and you’d rather not deal with it again. Sorry, it’s important. On a basic level, if you find the subject and verb of each sentence in the text, you are well on your way to finding the main idea and argument of that passage. For example, listen to just the subject and verbs of Genesis 1 and let’s see if we can determine the main character(s) and action of that passage:
God created (v. 1); the Spirit hovered (v. 2); God said (v. 3); God saw (v. 4); God separated (v. 4); God called (v. 5); God said (v. 6); God made (v. 7); God called (v. 8); there was (v. 8)…
You get the point. Who is the main character? God. What is he doing? Creating by speaking. Simply observing the basic grammar takes us a long way to understanding a passage. Again with our puzzle, observing the grammar is beginning to find some pieces that fit together.
This week, I encourage you to open to 1 John 3 (maybe print out the chapter) and highlight the repeated, connecting, or key words, and then underline the subject and verbs. If you do that, you’ll be going a long way to understanding the Bible!
Pastor Mark