Class 5 - Determining Significant Terms_Part 2

Ground Rules

Be Humble - We will not agree on everything.

Be Teachable - We all need to grow & no one is right on everything

Be Reasonable - Not everything is worth dying over

Be Worshipful - Every truth is meant to cultivate deep affections for God

Praise - Whitney doing better!

Aaron - new audition -

Homework

1. Read ahead in Köstenberger

       -Finish reading Chapter 5

2. Reread the “10 suggestions for asking the right questions of the text” and pick one that is earth shattering to you and pick one you do not understand or have a question about.

3. Be ready to share some observations you have seen in your own Bible reading this week (any kind of observations)

4. Begin thinking about the Spring quarter and what ministry you will be apart of

Some words are peripheral to the primary content, while others are central.

Contextually crucial terms

Theologically profound terms

Historically particular terms

Exegetically or Textually uncertain terms

Figurative Terms

Symbolic Terms

Non-routine Terms

-Encountering non-routine words can be difficult, but we should view non-routine words as an opportunity

-Bible study is exploring what is new and outside of us. Non-routine words are like windows to the heart of God

Exegetically or Textually Uncertain Terms

-Words that are difficult to define or translate

-Maybe it is only used once (hapax legomenon)

-Maybe it isn’t found in other ancient writing

-You will find them by comparing translations or reading a commentary

-Amos 4:4 -

Amos 4:4 KJV 1900

Come to Beth-el, and transgress; At Gilgal multiply transgression; And bring your sacrifices every morning, And your tithes after three years:

Amos 4:4 ESV

“Come to Bethel, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days;

Before we talk about what do when we come across these words, we need to know...

-This issue is to be expected in ancient literature

-There is a small number (Miktam in the psalms)

-Hapax Legomenon (30-40 in the NT and 1,400-1,500 in the OT)

-Some words are used once but based off of other familiar words (apotomian - Romans 11:22)

Romans 11:22 KJV 1900

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

-Apo is used 2,401x

-Tomos is used 32x

-None of these words impact any major doctrine of the Bible

-Why? Because we do not base major doctrines on single verses

So what do we do when we come across them?

-Thank God for them

-Mark them (and probably continue)

-Use an exegetical commentary for input

Figurative Terms

Non-routine words that are purposefully used to make an emphasis.

Symbolic Terms

Non-routine words that carry a pattern of meaning in specific contexts.

John 6:53–59 KJV 1900

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.