MILESTONE 10a: READ PURPOSEFULLY (GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE)

CHAPTER REFERENCE: CHAPTER 15: READ PURPOSEFULLY

READ! 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good
work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ((NIV. Bold items added)

As indicated in the verse, all Scripture (meaning all verses, all words) are inspired by God. Not a single
letter in the Bible has been placed haphazardly. If seen on a bigger map, they would contribute to a
greater meaning. Reading purposefully identifies that ‘purpose’ or aim of the author.

How to do that? Well, according to our reference there are two ways where a Bible student can start:
finding both the (1) grammatical structure and (2) literary structure.

PURPOSE THROUGH GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE

Yes, it may seem elementary to some or mind-dragging to others but it would be quite surprising to note
that if a person tries to see verses in light of its grammatical structure, there are plenty of insights that
one can get out of it. Below are some grammatical features that might help in practicing this strategy:

1. VERBS

Also known as “action words”, they tell us who is doing what. Choice of which verb to use by an author
is also critical to convey a meaning.

Example:

“Be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18 (Bold items added)

Paul used a passive verb. He didn’t use it as “Fill yourself…” which connotes an active action. Being filled
with the Spirit doesn’t rely on our capability to do it. The Spirit has control over us in this course of
action.

2. SUBJECT AND OBJECT

As we know, subject does the action while an object is acted upon.

Example:

“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to
somebody else…” – Galatians 6:4 (NIV. Bold items added)

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In the above verse, “each one” is the subject, “test” is the action word and “his own actions” is the
object. Reflecting on it, the author is saying that we should actively test our own actions so that we can
see more of ourselves without comparing ourselves to others.

3. MODIFIERS

These are defined to be descriptive words that modify/enlarge the meaning of words. Both adverbs and
adjectives are modifiers.

Example:

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (NASB. Bold item added)

According to the author, he can do “some things”? No. The modifier “all” is critical here because it tells
us that to a person strengthened by Him, he or she can do “all” things. An amazing promise isn’t it?

4. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Words such as in, on, upon, through, to etc. tell us where an action is taking place. We know them as
prepositions.

Examples of prepositional phrases are the following: “through Christ”; “in the beginning”; “by faith”;
“according to the Word of the Lord”

5. CONNECTIVES

Three words in the Bible that you must look out for are: and, but and therefore.

a. And – connotes that two separate phrases are linked and they should not be taken separately. In
Psalm 37:4 it says to “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV).
The first part asks us to delight ourselves in Him as a condition to Him giving our heart’s desires. The
word and links the consequence and the result.
b. But – shows a change of direction or marks out a difference. It also indicates if there is something
wrong in a picture. For instance, in 1 John 3:17: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother
in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (NIV). This verse questions the
existence of God’s love within a Christian. It says that if a person has material possessions such as home
or money and then sees a brother in need yet he didn’t feel compelled to help him… how can one say
that God’s love is residing in that person? Clearly, there is something wrong about that person.
c. Therefore – whenever you see this word, go back in verses prior to that to understand what it’s
there for. Examples of which are in the Book of Romans.

REFLECT! The Book of Philemon is only 25-verses long. Try looking for essential grammatical structures
in here by purposefully looking for items enumerated above

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