How many times have we as believers read a text, and then without even realizing it, missed the meaning of the verse because we did not understand the context of that verse within the section, chapter or book?
Probably more often than we think. Remembering the terms is almost definitely not required, but understanding their function is critical to spiritual growth.
One of the key elements in the English language that we find in the Bible, which is critically important to bear in mind in all scriptural studies we do, are the concepts called Coordinating Conjunction and Conjunctive Adverbs.
A Coordinating Conjunction is a word that connects two or more elements of the same grammatical type and refers specifically to bringing things together on the same level. The elements joined by coordinating conjunctions can be individual words, phrases, or clauses, and the most most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Their main purpose is to link clauses together.
The same applies to the use of a colon (:) to introduce information that is set up by the clause preceding the colon. It is typically used before a list, an example, or an explanation. The same applies to the use of a semicolon (;), which is used as a conjunction without the use of a conjunctive word, to join related independent clauses together.
A Conjunctive Adverb show a variety of relationships, with different words representing different types of connections.
This is an adverb or adverb phrase that connects the ideas in different independent clauses or sentences together. Their main purpose is transitioning and describing the relationship between clauses; they are used more to facilitate communication than for grammar.
Conjunctive adverbs examples are: Therefore, Finally, Likewise, However, Instead, Anyway, Nonetheless, Furthermore, Besides, Indeed, Then
Below is an example of what I believe to be one of the most wrongly quoted scriptures in the Bible. People have used this scripture in sermons, books, podcasts and everything in-between:
1 Chronicles 4:10 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
Seems fairly plain in what we read, if it was not for the highlighted "And" that the scripture starts with. Enter coordinating conjunction. From the definition we can see that this simple word "And", binds itself to the previous verse, which changes the condition of verse 10 severely. If we now read the two verse together, and see that there were conditions to these blessing, having had a lifetime of being honorable. And it must have been quite an honorable life for the Spirit to have the story of Jabez inserted into a book that chronicles a family bloodline, makes you think, does it not:
1 Chronicles 4:9 "And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow."
1 Chronicles 4:10 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
Another Example:
Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: "
Matthew 7:8 "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Matthew 7:9 "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?"
Matthew 7:10 "Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?"
Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
In the above example, take note of the use of both conjunctive words, as well as the colon and semi-colon to join and explain words and terms.
Matthew 7:12 starts with the Conjunctive adverb "Therefore", which means that whatever follows Verse12 in linked to the concepts and teachings expressed in the preceding sections"
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
There is no scripture in the Word of God, that does not link or tie to another supportive verse or concept, and no verse should ever be taken and lived in isolation.
WORKS CONSULTED
“Coordinating conjunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coordinating%20conjunction. Accessed 6 Feb. 2024.