Holy Hormones Bible Study: Teaching — not Entertainment
THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAMMAR TO YOUR SOUL
But it’s such a little word, why worry?
Brace yourself! This is more of a teaching blog than an entertaining one. It may not be an easy read because there is more here than a normal, well adjusted person would generally want to know. But the time will be well spent. The detail which makes me a boring person brings the Bible alive for me. If, however, you happen to like what you read, there’s more to be found here.
[NOTE: Important words analysed below are identified with Hebrew/Greek transliterations into English and Strong’s Numbers so that whoever wants to can check them out — the recommendation is that you do. I use the Blue Letter Bible (https://www.blueletterbible.org/ BLB)]
Introduction
With the first Covid lock-down I decided to learn Greek. One of the websites mentioned that the difference having just a smidgen of knowledge of Bible languages would be the difference between watching a game on a grainy old 1950s B&W TV (I remember them well) and a virtual reality model where you could feel that you were in the game. After a slow start (Greek-in-a-week) I completed a 10 week Greek Grammar course and now everyone is entitled to my opinion.
A discovery
The tiny word “if,” a primary particle of conditionality, can convey both certainty and doubt (though not at the same time) and this is important in understanding what Jesus accomplished on the Cross of Calvary.
This might not seem important now but stick around.
Some examples:-
If I go into a shop with enough money in my pocket, then I can buy the item of my desire.
If I go into the shop with not enough money but may be able to borrow enough, then I may be able to buy the item.
If I go into the shop with no money in the hope that I may meet someone who would lend me the money, then there is scant chance that I get the thing.
In the first example an alternative word for if would be because, due the certainty that the money is there. But in English I have to explain that the money is there to legitimately choose the alternative word. The Greeks do it better. They use the spelling of the verbs. You will likely ask what use is spelling in a verbal conversation? They’ve got it in hand. Greek allows you to say “if,” with at least three different tones of voice, by manipulating the spelling.
[Note to all people of Greek heritage: I’m not deliberately attempting cultural appropriation. And you will notice that I’m not being very accurate. That is also not deliberate. My Greek is just not any good. In both cases please extend some grace — perhaps a lot more than just some.]
How it is done . . . sort of
Greek verbs have four Labels to identify their function.
One of these is “mood,” of which there are four that describe the likelihood that something will happen.
• Indicative — true statement of fact
• Imperative — a desirable outcome
• Subjunctive — possible outcome
• Optative — remotely possible outcome
Special Note on Imperative: Where the Bible is concerned, it is the Holy Spirit Who is the Author, so a “desirable outcome” is a command by default.
A sentence beginning with “if” is actually a two-part sentence.
• An “if” part, and
• A “then” part.
The “then” half is true only when the “if” part is true.
In the case of the Bible, where the Holy Spirit knows all things:-
• “If statement” plus an indicative verb means that statement is true.
• “If statement” plus a subjunctive verb means that statement is possibly true.
• “If statement” plus a optative verb means that statement is very unlikely but possible.
There is much more to it but this is enough for our requirements. [Apologies, once again, to those of Greek heritage. But it is hoped you will soon see that your suffering has not been futile.]
So what?
Consider the Temptation of Christ after His Baptism and Forty Day Fast. The Tempter approaches Him.
[The capabilities of the Blue Letter Bible are used here for the Greek language.]
• Luke 4:3 || And the devil said to Him, “If (G1487 — ei: A primary particle of conditionality) You are(Indicative) the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
“If statement” plus an indicative verb means that statement is true. Because is a more suitable alternative. The Devil is a witness that Jesus is the Son of God.
• Luke 4:9 || Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If (G1487 — ei) You are (Indicative) the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
“If statement” plus an indicative verb means that statement is true. Because is a more suitable alternative. The Devil is a witness that Jesus is the Son of God.
These are important statements because the best witness for your case is a positive witness from your adversary.
• Luke 4:7 || Therefore, if You will worship (Subjunctive) before me, all will be Yours.”
“If statement” plus a subjunctive verb means that statement could possibly be true. The Devil is making Jesus an offer. The result depends on what Jesus decides to do. There is doubt so if is acceptable. (We know what happens next.)
The importance of ALL words in logos of the Logos of God.
But ei is such a little word.
When Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:17–18 || “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” He was speaking of tiny things which showed how important the words are. He says what He means and means what He says.
Effect on other instances — Colossians 1–3
The salutation is To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse || Colossians 1:2
These guys are Righteous. How do we know? The Holy Spirit is affirming it through Apostle Paul. The salutation is not to, “You and your unsaved mates.”
- Colossians 1:23 ||
If indeed you continue [G1961 — epimenō, Mood: Indicative Tense: Present = They are still continuing now.] in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
“If statement” plus an indicative verb means that statement is true. Because is a more suitable alternative.
There is no doubt of the firm standing of the recipients. The application of the correct rule of Greek syntax completely changes character of the text, which becomes:-
Colossians 1:21–23 || And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — BECAUSE indeed you ARE CONTINUING in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
- Colossians 2:20 ||
Therefore, If you died [G599 — apothnēskō, Mood: Indicative Tense: Aorist (completed act)] with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations —
Again, the application of the correct rule of Greek syntax completely changes character of the text, which becomes:-
Therefore, BECAUSE you {ARE ALREADY} DEAD with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations —
- Colossians 3:1 ||
If then you were raised (G4891 — synegeirō, Mood: Indicative Tense: Aorist (completed act) Voice: Passive (the Saints didn’t do it.)]with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
“If statement” plus an indicative verb means that statement is true. Because is a more suitable alternative.
Yet again, the application of the correct rule of Greek syntax completely changes character of the text, which becomes:-
BECAUSE you {HAVE BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD — NOT UNDER YOUR OWN POWER} with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Sooooo
I’m open to correction here. Perhaps I’m being too precocious in raising the issue because I have no theological qualifications. But if I’m not wrong how sad it is that the Pews are missing out on much of what the Lover of Our Soul has died for because the unglamorous, nuts-&-bolts homework has been neglected. How can we practice the teachings of Jesus if we aren’t sure what Jesus actually taught?
The Saints at Colosse had the Fruit of the Spirit ready to bubble out of them with joy and security. The Greek said so but the English didn’t.
Makes you think.
The forgoing evidence has not been presented to convince any reader but to allow a personal decision to be made. There is much more to know about this subject. Perhaps you’ll pay another visit, sometime.
All Glory to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
(We all have a plank in our eye. It’s bigger than we think.)
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