The Living Word (Lesson 8)

Studying the Bible Grammatically

This lesson will give some instruction on how to study the bible grammatically. This will require much work and thought, but it is vital to the goal of understanding scriptures accurately. In this lesson, we will divide the process of studying grammatically into two major steps: first, determining the specific meaning of words: and second, determining how individual words are related to each other.

Word Studies

In determining the exact meaning of a word in any given passage, we first need to figure out the word employed in the original language, and the range of meanings that word can have. Second, we need to narrow down the range of meanings to determine the specific meaning that word must have in the context of the verse we are studying. In order to accomplish this, I have put together a four step process for doing an accurate word study:

  1. Find out what word is used in the original language

    There are at least a couple ways of accomplishing this for someone with no knowledge of Greek and Hebrew: one method is simply to use a word study bible. This is a bible that lists the Strong’s number under the significant words used in an English translation. Having a Strong’s number will help you carry out the next step. A second method is using a Strong’s concordance. To do this, note the word (as translated by the KJV) that you desire to study. Then find that word in the concordance, in the specific verse that you are studying. There will be a number listed next to that word, for that verse. Now, remembering that number, go to the Greek or Hebrew dictionary in the back, and find the number cited. There you will find the word in the original language, with a simple definition. There are also bible software programs that will give you the underlying Greek or Hebrew word with just a click of a button. One helpful option is e-Sword, which is entirely free.

  2. Search for a more detailed translation of that Greek or Hebrew word.

    Once you have the original word, together with the Strong’s number, you can use that information to look up the word in many excellent Greek or Hebrew lexica. One of the most thorough Greek Dictionaries available is the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (ed. Kittel); an excellent Hebrew dictionary is the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (ed. Harris, Archer, and Waltke). To use Kittel’s, take the Strong’s number and simply look it up in the index. This will direct you to a specific volume and page number. There you will find a very thorough study of that word, its equivalents in Hebrew, its usage in Greek literature, other writings of the same author in the New Testament, writings of other authors in the New Testament, and early Christian literature. There is also an index of English keywords, if you don’t have the Strong’s number, and a listing of words discussed by scripture passage. This would be a tremendously valuable resource, whether or not you read Greek and Hebrew.

    For Old Testament words, simply take the Strong’s number and look in the index of the TWOT. There you will find the TWOT number listed for you, and you can use that number to look up the word. This is also an excellent resource to have available. One more possible approach is to use an English dictionary that is based on the original languages, such as Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments. To use this, simply look up the word you are studying in English, and it will list the underlying words from the original languages, as well as the specific underlying word for that text.

  3. Do a study of the different passages in which that same word is used by the same author; then, a study of passages by different authors in which that same word is used. Strong’s or any of the other dictionaries I’ve mentioned will help you to do this study.

  4. Do a study of synonyms of the word you are studying, noting the different nuances of meanings in synonyms. Try to determine why the author chose the specific word that he did. Any of the resources we’ve listed will enable you to do this study. Also, Trench’s Synonyms, Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Robertson’s Word Pictures in the Greek New Testament, as well as others, could be beneficial. I hope this gives you some ideas of how to use the many rich resources that God has made available to us today, even if you have no formal education in the original languages, etc.

Grammatical Layouts

Once you have a clear understanding of the significant words used in a text, you will want to determine how these words relate to each other. I have come up with a three step process that I hope will help.

  1. Scan through the text and make note of the conjunctions and functional words. Look for words such as the following:

    Time: after, as long as, before, now, meanwhile, since, then, until, when, whenever, while

    Place: where, beside, upon, above, under, below, on, over, at

    Direction: to, toward, from

    Continuation: and, also, besides, both…and, furthermore, moreover, likewise, not only…but also, whereupon

    Contrast: although, but, however, much more, nevertheless, not only…but also, yet, otherwise, still, whereas

    Purpose: in order that, that, so that

    Result: so that, as a result, hence, consequently, so, then

    Conclusion: therefore, thus, then, wherefore

    Reason: as, because, for, inasmuch as, since, whereas, why

    Condition: as if, as though, if, lest, provided, providing, unless

    Concession: although, yet, in spite of, though, unless, while

    Agency/Means: by, through, by means of

    Manner: as, how

    Comparison: also, as, as…so, just as…so, indeed, in fact, likewise, so also, so as, moreover, than

    Example: for, for example, indeed, in fact, namely

    Emphasis: indeed, only, finally

  2. Use these function words, together with the entire passage, to answer these questions:

    Who or what is the subject?

    Who or what is the object?

    Who or what is being spoken to (direct address)?

    Are there further descriptions of the subject, object, or direct address (adjectives or apposition)?

    (Ask the following of the action or state of being mentioned in the verse)

    When? (Time) when, after, before

    Where? (Location) beside, above, below

    Why? (Cause) because, for since

    Why? (Purpose) that, so that, in order that

    Under what circumstances? (Condition) if, provided, unless

    How? (Qualification) although, in spite of the fact

    How? (Comparison) as, just as, likewise

  3. Using these answers, separate and label each phrase, to find a clear flow of thought. For example, if you are studying James 1:2-5, you might come up with something like this:

    Consider it pure joy [command]

    my brothers [direct address]

    whenever you face various trials [time - when]

    because you know that the testing of your faith produces patience [reason - why]

    Let patience have its perfect work [command]

    so that you may be perfect and complete [purpose - why]

    lacking nothing [description]

    If any of you lacks wisdom [condition - under what circumstances]

    let him ask of God [command]

    who gives generously to all [description]

    and does not reproach [description]

    and it will be given to you [assertion - conclusion]

    [Much of the material in this section has been adapted from An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, by Klein, et. al.]

Putting it all together.

After you have done all this work, you will have learned much about the passage you have been studying. It may help to tie everything together by describing and explaining the passage in your own words. For example:

This passage gives a commandment to all of us who are believers (James’ spiritual brothers), that we should be joyful in the times when God allows us to go through trials. The reason for this is that these trials will cause our patience to grow more complete. God gives us a further command – that we should not refuse to allow these trials to produce patience in us, but should wait for the patience to continue its work in us. The reason for this is that this process will give us more maturity, and supply us with everything we truly need to be pleasing to God, and live wisely on this earth (and so on through the next verse).

Studying the word translated “patience” helped me to understand this passage better: the Old Testament equivalent was used of someone waiting patiently for the Lord. However, the word was not only passive, but indicated an active seeking his face and trusting in him. The word was used in Greek writings of someone standing fast, even in difficulty and assault. James uses the word for someone who continually trusts in God, even in great trials, and eventually receives a great reward. For instance, he uses the same word when speaking of Job’s example to us in James 5:11. Similarly, many New Testament authors use it of someone who stands firm in spite of every assault on his faith — from the hostility of the world, the persecutions of the devil, or the weaknesses of his own faith. It is only through the proven character that comes through this patience in difficulty that enables us to stand fast to the end, and lay hold on eternal life (and so on with different key words).

Study Questions:

  1. Take the following printout of 1 John 2:3-5, and do a word study on all the highlighted words. The original Greek word, its Strong’s number, and a definition from the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament is included. Compare your passage with other places where the same author uses that word. Compare your passage with other bible authors that use the same words. Record your findings here.

  2. Take that same passage and separate and label each phrase, so you know how every phrase is related. Does this help you understand the author’s main point any better? If it helps, you can write out a paraphrase of what the author is saying in your own words.

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