Simple Little Details

How important is it to get the small details? The other day I was driving home in the dark when out of nowhere, WHAM. I hit a huge pothole. It seemed to just appear like magic, but realistically it was always there. When I went back the next day I saw how deep it really was. It actually damaged my tire. How could something so small impact my car so much?

The small details in a passage often can have the same effect. It is easy to read a text and run right pass small details that open the door to great insights. The key here is learning how to read and when to stop and take a closer look.

Just like looking for missing keys in a room. You need to look under every passage and around every word in a text to see what gems are hidden in plain sight.

We have learned how to find the big stuff like Historical context and Literary context, now we will focus on Grammatical context.

We can begin our analysis of a text by isolating prominent words or expressions which seem important.

Grammatical context can seem tough initially because we use grammar daily to communicate ideas. It is almost like second nature and requires little thought. We will first break it down into two easy to understand ideas.

Grammar consists of two elements: morphology and syntax. Morphology tells us how words change and why. Syntax is the system used to combine words in meaningful ways. It helps us to know what the subject of a sentence is and what action is happening to or with the subjects mentioned.

We will focus first on the words in a passage.

When reading a text some words are loaded with meaning and need to be more deeply examined. The question is which words? A good place to start is look for words that are repeated more than once in a given passage.

A) Repeated words
In Matthew 5:3-12 the word “blessed” appears 9 times, in John 15:1-11 the word “remain” shows up 11 times and in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 the word “comfort” is used 9 times How can you possibly understand these passage unless you know biblically what these words mean?

This is a good time to pull out a concordance and see how often these words are used and in what way are they used. You can also look up the word in a bible dictionary or lexicon to learn more about what the word means.

Another cool passage to explore is 1 John 2:15-17 where the word “world” is used 6 times and the word ‘love’ 3 times. When authors use the same word over and over it reveals what the theme of the passage may be about. Other times the author repeats a word to drive home a point. A repeated word tells the reader to stop and pay attention here.

B) Range of meaning
It is important to consider that words can have a range of meaning. For example what does the word run mean?

I have to run to school.
John scored a run.
Jim will run for mayor.
The train runs from LA to DC.
My car runs on diesel.
Her car has run into a fence.
Don’t let the team run up the score.
Lisa has a run in her stockings.
Long legs run in my family.
I know how to run my office.

These ten sentences illustrate some of the different meanings the word ‘run’ can take. This shows that we need to think about what a word means in the context in which it is used.

When you read a sentence that says, “Sarah had a goal.” Does it mean she scored a goal as in soccer or does it mean she had a planned outcome that she was working towards? Again only context tells you which meaning is correct.

The same concept applies in scripture. The word “heaven” in Matthew 3:16 & 14:19 means sky, but in Matthew 5:16 & 6:34 it means the abode of God. Church in Matthew 16:18 & Ephesians 1:32 refers to the universal church, but in Acts 11:26 & 1 Corinthians 11:8, it refers to a specific local group. The disciples in Matthew 14:16 means the twelve Apostles, but in Matthew 28:19 it means any committed follower of Jesus.

The point is though a word may have a range of meaning, when used by an author it means one specific thing. It is key to understand which meaning the context determines.

In order to avoid incorrect interpretations, you must define words correctly.
Matthew 24:34
I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

In context Jesus is answering two questions here regarding the destruction of the temple and what are the signs for the end of the age. The word generation here has often been allegorized into meaning an age, but the context shows He is speaking about those living at that time

C) Lists
Anytime you find a string of words connected by commas you have a list. When you find a list it is important that you study out each item. What do they have in common? Is there anything special about the order of words?

Some lists simply describe the details of something. For example, see 1 Timothy 1:7. This list tells you that the Spirit gives power, love and self-discipline. Also see Galatians 5:22–23. This list simply tells you that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Knowing the each detail adds layers to the subject and enriches the study.

Some lists going beyond description and imply a process. For example, see Romans 8:29-30. It explains how we can have certainty that God is working for the good of those who have been called. From the start those He foreknew, he predestined, then called, then justified, and ultimately glorified.

Another example is in Romans 5:3-4. Here we learn to rejoice in suffering because it sets of a chain of fruitful growth leading to hope. Also in 2 Peter 1:5–7, we learn how adding to our faith progressively keeps us productive in our knowledge of Jesus.

Seeing how these actions are a process helps us to better understand and to better apply them to our personal growth.

What do you think about grammatical context? Is it helpful for your bible study? Please comment below so we can discuss if further.

Unless otherwise indicated, all the passages used above are taken from the NIV.