Week 4: Bridging the Language & Grammatical Gap

Exegesis Contextualization

Cultural Grammatical Literary Language Gaps to be Bridged Goals of Hermeneutics

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:13-16

Cultural Grammatical Literary Language Gaps to be Bridged Goals of Hermeneutics

1. Meaning of words (Lexicology) 2. Form of words (Morphology) 3. Function of words (Parts of Speech) 4. Relationship of words (Syntax)

Meaning of Words (Lexicology) How words are derived and developed (Etymology) Discover its Usage Discover any Synonyms and Antonyms Consider the Context

Meaning of Words (Lexicology) How words are derived and developed. (Etymology) Ex. Gk word for “church” ekklesia from ek (“out of”) and kalein (“to call or summon”) Discover its Usage Discover any Synonyms and Antonyms Consider the Context

Meaning of Words (Lexicology) How words are derived and developed. (Etymology) Discover its Usage How we use “left”. “Sarx” has been translated: humanity (Rom. 3:20), human body (2 Cor. 12:7), muscles (Luke 24:39), man’s sinful nature (Rom. 8:6-7) Note the usage of the word by same writer in same or other books. Discover any Synonyms and Antonyms Consider the Context

Meaning of Words (Lexicology) How words are derived and developed. (Etymology) Discover its usage Discover any Synonyms and Antonym Finding words of similar or opposite in meaning. Ex. “never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Rom. 14:13) stumbling block (skandalon)- serious kind of offense. hindrance (proskomma)- slight, minor offense. Paul is covering a range of offense. Consider the Context

Meaning of Words (Lexicology) How words are derived and developed. (Etymology) Discover its Usage Discover any Synonyms and Antonyms Consider the Context Text without context is pretext! Need to consider its immediate and wider context. In the context of the verse, paragraph, chapter and book. Group Exercise

1. Meaning of words (Lexicology) 2. Form of words (Morphology) 3. Function of words (Parts of Speech) 4. Relationship of words (Syntax)

Forms of Words (Morphology) Refers to the way words are put together. i.e. prefix or suffix Example- “fuse” fuses (n.), refuse (verb), refusal (n.) Functions of Words (Parts of Speech) Noun Family Verb Family Examples: Eph. 2:20 Rom. 3:23

Relationships of Words (Syntax) The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, or sentences. Ex.- Eph. 1:4-5 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ…(NKJ) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ… (ESV)

1. Meaning of words (Lexicology) 2. Form of words (Morphology) 3. Function of words (Parts of Speech) 4. Relationship of words (Syntax)

Figures of Speech A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used to communicate something other than its literal, natural meaning. Simile A comparison in which 2 different things. Example: He is like a tree planted by streams of water. (Ps. 1:3) All flesh is like grass. (I Pet. 1:24)

Metaphor A comparison in which one thing is or acts like or represents another. Uses one thing to mean another and makes comparison between the two. Example: The Lord is my Shepherd. (Ps. 23:1) You are the salt of the Earth. (Mt. 5:13)

Personification The ascribing of human characteristics or actions to inanimate objects or ideas or to animals. Example: The trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isa. 55:12) Anthropomorphism The ascribing of human characteristics or actions to God. Example: O Lord hear my voice, let your ears be attentive. (Ps )

Anthropopathism The ascribing of human emotions to God. Example: I am exceedingly zealous for Zion. (Zech. 8:1) Zoomorphism The ascribing of animal characteristics to God Example: …under His wings you will find refuge. (Ps. 91:4)

Euphemism The substituting of an inoffensive or mild expression for an offensive personal one. Example: He fell asleep. (Acts 7:60) Hyperbole An exaggeration in which more is said than is literal; meant to add emphasis. Example: Every night I flood my bed with tears. I drench my couch with my weeping. (Ps. 6:6)

Irony The underlying message of the speaker is different than the literal meaning. Example: Micah said to David “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today.” (2 Sam. 6:20) Elijah taunting the prophets of Baal, “Shout louder…surely he is a god!” (I Kings 18:27)