HOW TO ENJOY THE BIBLE
III. THE ONE GREAT REQUIREMENT OF THE WORD: "RIGHTLY DIVIDING"
IT
The one great requirement of the Word is grounded on the
fact that it is "the Word of truth." And this fact is so stated as to imply
that, unless the Word is thus rightly divided we shall not get "truth"; and
that we shall get its truth only in proportion to the measure in which we
divide it rightly. The Requirement is thus stated in 2 Timothy 2:15: "Give
diligence to present thyself approved to God, a workman having no cause to be
ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth."
The word in question here is
(orthotomounta). As this word occurs in no Greek writer, or even elsewhere in
the New Testament, we can get little or no help from outside, and are confined
to Biblical usage. It is used twice in the Septuagint for the Hebrew yashar, to
be right, or straight. In Proverbs 3:6, 11:5, the Hebrew is Piel (or
causative), to make right (as in 2 Chron 32:30; Prov 15:21; Isa 40:3, 45:2,13).
But it is the Greek word that we have to do with here, in 2 Timothy 2:15; and
we cannot get away from the fact that (temno) means to cut; or, from the fact
that we cannot cut without dividing. To divide belongs to the very nature of
the act of cutting. Even as applied to directing ones way, it implies
that we divide off one way from others - because we desire to follow the right
way and avoid the wrong.
The only Biblical guide we have to the usage of
the word is in Proverbs 3:6: "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall
direct thy paths." In the margin the RV gives, "make straight or plain" as an
alternative rendering for "direct." But our ways can only be made straight or
plain by Gods causing us to proceed on our way aright - i.e., by avoiding
all the ways that are wrong, and going in the one way that is right; in other
words, the right way is divided off from all the wrong ways.
What else can
the word mean in 2 Timothy 2:15? It matters little what others have thought or
said. We could fill a page with their names and their views, but we should
learn but little and only become confused. The duties of Priests, Furriers, and
Ploughmen have been referred to as indicating the correct meaning. But we need
not leave the Biblical usage, which associates the word with guidance in the
right way.
The scope of the verse plainly teaches that:
1. Our one great
study is to seek GODS approval, and not mans.
2. We are to show
all diligence in pursuing this study.
3. As workmen, our aim is to have no
cause to be ashamed of our work.
4. In order to gain Gods approval and
avert our own shame we must rightly divide the word of truth.
5. To do this
we must direct our studies in the right way.
6. This requirement is
associated with the Word in its special character as being the Word of truth;-
"the TRUE Word."
All this tells us that we shall not get the truth if we do
not thus rightly divide it; and that we shall get the truth only in proportion
to our "rightly dividing" it. Other titles of the Word have their own special
requirements. As "the engrafted Word" it must be received with meekness (James
1:21). As "the Faithful Word" we must hold it fast (Titus 1:9). As "the Word of
life" we must hold it forth (Phil 2:16). But, because this is "the Word of
truth," its paths must be well noted, the sign-posts must be observed, the
directions and guides which are in the Word itself must be followed. We are to
"give diligence" to this great Requirement of the Word just because it is "the
Word of truth."
It is true that there are many who altogether ignore this
precept; and have no thought as to obeying this command in their study of the
Word. There are many who make light of our insistence on obedience to this
precept. On what ground, we ask, are we to treat such an important command as
though it had never been given? Why is not this command as binding on Bible
students as any other command in the Word of God? What motive can such have to
blunt the point and dull the edge of this "Sword of the Spirit" in this matter?
Strange to say, those who would belittle our efforts in rendering due obedience
to this command, are themselves obliged not only to accept its division into
chapters, and verses, and punctuated sentences; but they go further, and adopt
the division of its subject-matter which is made by the insertion of
chapter-headings and running page-headings according to mans own
ideas.
The only question is, Do they divide it rightly, or wrongly? For
example, in the English Bibles which our readers use, over Isaiah 29 we notice
the running page-heading "Judgment upon Jerusalem"; and on the opposite page,
over chapter 30 we notice the page-heading "Gods mercies to His church."
Again, over Isaiah 59 we note the chapter-heading "The sins of the Jews"; in
the chapter-heading of Chapter 60 we note "The glory of the church." And this
in spite of the declared fact that this book contains "the Vision of Isaiah the
son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem" (Chapter 1:1).2
Surely, this is dividing the Word. But the only question for us to ask is,
whether it is divided "rightly" or wrongly. In the consideration of this great
and important requirement there are four principal spheres in which we are to
give diligence so that we may follow the right ways which are so clearly cut
and marked out for our studies.
We must rightly divide the Word of
Truth:
1. As to its Literary Form.
2. As to its Subject-matter.
3.
As to its Times and Dispensations.
4. As to its Dispensational Truth and
Teaching.
We will consider these in their order.
If these headings
are not found in some of the current editions of our English Bibles, it is only
a proof that still greater liberties are taken in changes of these
headings.
1. Rightly Dividing the Word as to its Literary Form The "Word"
comes to us in our English Translation. But it comes with much that is human in
its Liter-ary Divisions; and it is far from being rightly divided.
a. The
Two Testaments
"THE WORD OF GOD" as a whole comes to us in two separate
parts: one written, originally, in Hebrew; the other in Greek. Only in the
Versions are these two combined, and bound together in one Book. These
division, of course, are not human, though the names are by which they are
commonly known. Up to the second century the term "Old Covenant" was used by
the Greeks to describe the Hebrew Bi-ble. This passed into the Latin Vulgate as
"Vetus Testamentum," from which our English term "Old Testament" was taken. By
way of distinction, the Greek portion was naturally spoken of as the "New
Testament." But neither of these names is Divine in its origin.
b. The
Separate Books of the Bible When, however, we come to the Separate Books,
though their origin is Divine, the human element is at once apparent.
The Books of the Old Testament The Books as we have them to-day are not
the same as in the Hebrew Canon, either as to their number, names, or order.
The change first came about when the first Translation of the Hebrew Bible was
made into Greek in the Version known as the Septuagint. It was made in the
latter part of the third century BC. The exact date is not known, but the
consensus of opinion leans to about 286285 BC. It is the oldest of all
the translations of the Hebrew Text, and its Divisions and arrangement of the
Books have been followed in every translation since made.
Man has
divided them into four classes:
(1) The Law,
(2) The Historical Books,
(3) The Poetical Books, and
(4) The Prophetical Books.
The Lord
Jesus divides them into Three classes:
(1) The Law,
(2) The Prophets,
and
(3) The Psalms.
And who will say that HE did not rightly divide
them! But His Division was made according to the Hebrew Bible extant in His
day, and not according to mans Greek Translation of it - which was extant
also at that time.
In the Hebrew Canon these three Divisions contain
twenty-four Books, in the following order: -
"The Law" (Torah) These
five books form the Pentateuch 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5.
Deuteronomy
"The Prophets" (Nevim)The Former Prophets (Zech
7) 6. Joshua 7. Judges 8. Samuel 9. Kings The Latter Prophets 10. Isaiah
11. Jeremiah 12. Ezekiel 13. The Minor Prophets
"The Psalms"
(Kthuvim) or the [other] writings 14. Psalms 15. Proverbs 16. Job The
Five "Megilloth" (or scrolls) Song of Songs 18. Ruth 19. Lamentations 20.
Ecclesiastes 21. Esther 22. Daniel 23. EzraNehemiah 24. Chronicles
This is how the Books are rightly divided in the Hebrew Bible. And it
is sad to find so many good men exercising their ingenuity in order to find
some Divine spiritual teaching in the utterly human and different order of the
Books given in the Translations. One actually manufactures "five
Pentateuchs," quite dislocating the books of the Bible; and he
arbitrarily re-arranges them to suit his theory. Another divides them by
re-arranging them in what he conceives to be the chronological order, which
results, among other calamities, in the Psalms being dispersed among the
Historical Books. The "Higher" Critics would have us make a Hexateuch instead
of a Pentateuch. We fear it is hopeless ever to look for the books to be
rightly divided and arranged in the order of the Hebrew Canon; so we shall have
to make the best of mans having wrongly divided the Word of truth from
the very outset. The number of Concordances and Commentaries and general works
where reference is made to the present chapters and verses would be sufficient
to make such a change impossible, however desirable it might be on other
grounds.
Nevertheless, it is well for those who would study the Word of
truth to have this information, and to be in possession of the facts of the
case, even if the result is only to prevent them from attaching any importance
to the present order of the books, and keep them from elaborating some scheme
of doctrine or theology based on what is only human in its origin.
The Books of the New Testament
As to the Books of the New Testament the problem presented is somewhat
different. We find them in the Manuscripts generally in five groups: (1) the
Gospels, (2) the Acts, (3) the General Epistles, (4) Pauls Epistles, and
(5) the Apocalypse. The order of these groups varies in certain MSS; and the
order of the books also in the different groups varies. There is, however, one
exception which we have elsewhere pointed out: The Epistles of Paul which are
addressed to Churches are always in the same order as we have them in our
English Bible today. Out of the hundreds of Greek MSS not one has ever yet been
seen where the Canonical order of these Epistles is different from that in
which they have come down to us. We can therefore build our teaching on a sure
foundation, though we cannot do so on the order of the other New Testament
books.
c.The Divisions of the Hebrew
Text
The Hebrew Text is divided (in the MSS) into five different
forms: - Into open and closed Sections, answering somewhat to our paragraphs.
These were to promote facility in reading. Into Sedarim or the Triennial
Pericopes;1 i.e., Portions marked off: so that the Pentateuch is divided into
167 Pericopes or "Lessons," which are completed in a course of three
years reading. There are 452 of these Seders in the Hebrew Bible,
indicated by p, in the margin. Beside these the Pentateuch was divided into 54
Parshioth or Annual Pericopes, by which the Law was read through once a
year. The division into verses. The verses in the Hebrew Bible are of ancient
origin, and were noted by a stroke called Silluk under the last word of each
verse. These words were carefully counted for each book. Hence the Scribes were
so called not because of their writing (from the Latin word Scribo), but they
were called Sopherim or Counters (from the Hebrew, Sopher, to count). The
Massorah gives the number of verses as 23,203.
d. The Divisions of the Greek Text
In the Greek
MSS of the New Testament there is an indication of sections in the margin,
dividing the text according to the sense. There is also a division of the
Gospels ascribed to TATIAN (Cent. II.) called Kephalaia, i.e. heads or
summaries: these are known also as Titloi or titles. AMMONIUS, in the third
century, divided the Text according to sections, known by his name: "The
Ammonian Sections." In the fifth century EUTHALIUS, a deacon of Alexandria,
divided Pauls Epistles, the Acts, and the General Epistles into
Kephalaia; and ANDREAS (Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia) completed the
work by dividing the Apocalypse into 24 Logoi or paragraphs, each being again
divided into three Kephalaia. These dividings of the New Testament can be
traced back to individual men, and are all essentially human.
e. The Divisions of the Versions
The Chapters
There are other more modern divisions into CHAPTERS. These are quite
foreign to the Original Texts of the Old and New Testaments. For a long time
they were attributed to HUGHES DE ST. CHER (Hugo de Sancto Caro). He was
Provincial to the Dominicans in France, and afterwards a Cardinal in Spain: he
died AD 1263. But it is now generally believed that they were made by STEPHEN
LANGTON, Archbishop of Canterbury, who died in 1227.
The Verses
Hugo made use of Langtons chapters and added subdivisions which he
indicated by letters. This was in 1248. ROBERT STEPHENS, finding these letters
inadequate, introduced numbers in their place in his Greek Testament of 1551.
This was the origin of our verse-divisions, which were first introduced into
the English Version known as the Geneva Bible (1560), and from that into our
Authorized Version in 1611. These verses do not correspond always with those of
the Hebrew Bible.
The Chapter Breaks
As to these chapter
divisions, they were not of Jewish origin; and were never associated with the
Hebrew Bible until AD 1330, when RABBI SALOMON BEN ISMAEL adopted the Christian
chapters by placing the numerals in the margin, to facilitate reference for
purposes of controversy. In many cases they agree with the Massoretic divisions
of the Hebrew Bible, though there are glaring instances of divergence. The
first to reverse this practice were the Editors of the Complutensian Polyglot
of CARDINAL XIMENES (15141517); but still confining the indications to
the margin, in Roman Numerals. FELIX PRATENSIS was the first to substitute
Hebrew Letters for the Roman Numerals in his Edition printed by Bomberg,
Venice, in AD 1517; though he retained the Massoretic divisions. JACOB BEN
CHAYIM adopted the same practice in his standard Edition (AD 152425); and
it was continued down to 1751, when ARIAS MONTANUS actually went so far as to
break up the Hebrew Text, and insert the Hebrew Letters (or Numerals) into the
body of the Text, in his edition printed at Antwerp in 1571. As examples, where
the chapter-breaks interfere with the Connection and the Sense, we may notice
Genesis 1 and 2, where the Introduction (1:12:4) is broken up, and the
commencement of the first of the Eleven Divisions (or, "Generations") is
hidden. This wrong break has led to serious confusion. Instead of seeing in
1:12:3 a separate Summary of Creation in the form of an Introduction,
many think they see two distinct creations, while others see a discrepancy
between two accounts of the same creation. The break between 2 Kings 6 and 7
should come after chapter 7:2; that is to say, 7:1, 2, should be 6:34, 35. The
break between Isaiah 8 and 9 is, to say the least, most unfortunate,
dislocating, as it does, the whole sense of the passage. Isaiah 53 should
commence at chapter 52:13. This agrees with its Structure:
A.
52:1315. The foretold exaltation of Jehovahs Servant, the Messiah.
. B. 53:16. His rejection by others.
. .B. 710. His own
sufferings.
A. 1012. The foretold exaltation of Messiah.
Isaiah
52:112 should have been the concluding portion of chapter 51.
Jeremiah 3:6 begins a new prophecy which goes down to the end of chapter 6.
Matthew 9:3538 should belong to chapter 10. John 3 should commence with
2:23, thus connecting the remarks about "men" with the "man of the Pharisees."
John 8:1 should be the last verse of chapter 7, setting in contrast the
destination of the people and that of the Lord. In Acts 4 the last two verses
should have been the first two verses of chapter 5. We can quite see that Acts
7 is already a long chapter; still, the break between it and chapter 6 is
unfortunate, because the connection between "these things" in 7:1 is quite
severed from the "things" referred to in chapter 6. The same is the case in
Acts 8:1. Also in 22:1. Romans 4 ought to have run on to 5:11, as is clear from
the argument, as shown by the Structure. In the same way Romans 6 ought to run
on, and end with 7:6, which concludes the subject. The commencement of 7:7,
"What shall we say then?" would thus correspond with 6:1. Romans 15:17
really belongs to chapter 14. 7 1 Corinthians 11:1 should be the last verse of
chapter 10. 2 Corinthians 6 should end with 7:1; for 7:2 commences a new
subject, and leaves the "promises" of 7:1 to be connected with the rehearsal of
them in chapter 6. In the same way Philippians 3 ought to end with 4:1 to
complete the sense. Colossians 3 should end with 4:1. Thus "masters" would
follow, and stand in connection with, the exhortation to "servants"; and 4:2
would commence the new subject. In 1 Peter 2:1 the word "wherefore" points to
the fact that this verse is closely connected with chapter 1. 2 Peter 2:1, in
the same way, concludes chapter 1, and the "false prophets" are contrasted with
the Divinely inspired prophets. In 2 Timothy 4:1 the force of the word
"therefore" is quite lost by being cut off from the conclusion of chapter 3.
Revelation 3, as a break, ought to be ignored, as it quite dislocates the seven
letters to the Assemblies. Revelation 13:1 belongs to, and is the conclusion
of, chapter 12. The break is thus actually made in the RV, and the correct
reading of the Greek MSS followed shows the close connection of the words "and
he [i.e. Satan] stood upon the sand of the sea," with 12:17, and also with
chapter 13 as containing the result of Satans thus standing. In the same
way the break between Revelation 21 and 22 is unfortunate, as the real chapter-
break should correspond with the Structure and should come between verses 5 and
6 of chapter 22.
Other examples may easily be found, but these will be
sufficient to show the importance of "rightly dividing the Word of Truth," even
as to the Chapter Divisions.
The Chapter, and
Running Page-Headings
When these chapter divisions are combined
with (1) the chapter headings, and (2) the running page-headings, they become
positively mischievous, partaking of the nature of interpretation instead of
translation. It is needless to say that we may absolutely disregard them, as
always aggravating the chapter-break, and often misleading the reader. The
running page-headings are a fruitful source of mischief. Over Isaiah 29 (as we
have said above) in an ordinary Bible we read "Gods judgments upon
Jerusalem." On the opposite page we read over Isaiah 30 "Gods mercies to
his church." The same may be seen in the concluding chapters of Isaiah, both in
the running page-headings and in the chapter-headings. But there is no break or
change in the subject-matter. It consists of all "the vision which Isaiah saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem" (1:1). Here is a "dividing" of the Word. But,
the question is, can it be called "rightly dividing" when Gods "mercies"
are claimed for the Church, and His "judgments" generously given over to the
Jews? Such "dividing" of the Word can hardly be said to be "without
partiality."
Punctuation
One other
mode of dividing the Word as to its Literary Form is by Punctuation; which is a
still more important manner of dividing the Word, as it seriously affects the
Text by dividing its sentences, and thus fixing its sense. The importance of
this will be seen when we note that its effect is to fasten the interpretation
of the translator on to the Word of God by making his translation part of that
Word. It thus comes to the ordinary reader as part and parcel of the Truth of
God, whereas it is absolutely arbitrary, and is wholly destitute of either
Divine or human authority. The Greek Manuscripts have, practically, no system
of punctuation: the most ancient, none at all; and the later MSS nothing more
than an occasional single point even with the middle, or in line with the top
of the letters. Where there is anything more than this it is generally agreed
that it is the work of a later hand.
So that in the Original Manuscripts we
have no guide whatever to any dividing of the Text, whether rightly or wrongly.
Indeed, in the most ancient MSS there is not only no division at all, but there
is not even any break between the words! So that we can find no help from the
MSS. When they came to be collated, edited, and printed, a system of
punctuation was introduced by the respective Editors. Each one followed his own
plan, and exercised his own human judgment. No two editors have punctuated the
text in the same way; so that we have no help from them. When we come to the
English Authorized Version we are still left without guidance or help. The
Authorized Version of 1611 is destitute of any authority; for the Translators
punctuated only according to their best judgment. But even here, few readers
are aware of the many departures which have been made from the original Edition
of 1611; and how many changes have been made in subsequent Editions. Some of
these differences arise doubtless from oversight, but other changes have been
made undoubtedly with deliberate intent. Who made them, or when they were
introduced, no one can tell. A few, however, can be traced.
The edition of
1616 was the first edition of the AV which shows any considerable revision. The
first Cambridge Editions of 1638 and 1639 appear to have been a complete
revision, though done without any authority. The Edition of 1660 added many
marginal notes. That of 1701 was the first to introduce the marginal dates,
tables of Scripture measures and weights, &. Sometimes a change of
punctuation may be made through inadvertence or through ignorance. We have
heard of 1 Corinthians 9:24 being read aloud thus: "They that run in a race,
run. All but one receiveth the prize." The ignorance that perpetrated this
failed to see the bad grammar which resulted in the last clause. These changes
affect not merely punctuation, but the marginal notes and references, the uses
of capital letters and italic type, orthography, grammatical peculiarities,
etc.
The Edition of 1762 contained serious attempts at improvements made
by Dr. Paris. He was the first to substitute a full stop for the colon of 1611
in Zechariah 11:7, after "staves." This edition considerably extended the use
of Italic type; and incorporated Bishop Lloyds chronological notes. Dr.
Blayneys Edition of 1769 introduced many changes and many glaring errors
which, unfortunately, have been followed without enquiry and without suspicion.
These imperfections led to a great controversy, and a Public Enquiry, which
included the policy of the Royal Patent and the working of the University
Presses. A Revision of the American Bible Society (18471851) prepared the
way for our English Revised Version (18811885). The "Advertisement" to
the Universities Edition, called "The Parallel Bible" (of the RV and AV),
fully endorses all we have said: - "The left hand column contains the text of
the Authorized Version as usually printed, with the marginal notes and
references of the Edition of 1611, the spelling of these being conformed to
modern usage. In the left hand margin are also placed, in square brackets, the
more important differences between the edition of 1611 and the text now in use,
whether these differences are due to corrections of the edition of 1611 or to
errors which have subsequently crept in." In spite of all these facts many
ill-informed readers of the English Bible take the punctuation as "Gospel
truth"; and not only build their own theories, and bolster up their traditions
upon it, but treat as heretics, and cast out almost as apostates any one who
dares to question the authority of this human interference with the Word of
truth, if it should run counter to their Traditions, which are generally based
on such human foundations. In view of this indefensible attitude we shall have
to show its utter groundlessness.
It is beside our present object to
enumerate all the cases where the punctuation has been changed, though all are
of interest, and many are of importance. These changes may be classed under
three heads.
1. Where the Edition of 1611 is to be preferred to the later
Editions.
2. Where the changes in the later Editions are improvements; and
3. Where there are other proposed changes which we suggest as being most
desirable.
We shall proceed to give a few examples under each of these
three heads.
1. Changes in punctuation where the Edition of 1611 is
certainly to be preferred to the later Editions.
1 Kings 19:5, "And as he
[Elijah] lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold then, an angel touched
him." In 1769 this was altered to "behold, then." This comma after "behold" has
continued to the present day.
Nehemiah 9:4, "Then stood up upon the stairs
of the Levites, Joshua, &c." In the Edition of 1769 this was changed to
"Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Joshua."
Psalm 79:11, "come
before thee, according to the greatness of thy power: Preserve thou, etc.":
instead of "come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve
thou." This change was made in 1769.
Psalm 89:46, "How long, LORD, wilt
thou hide thyself, for ever?" instead of "How long, LORD, wilt thou hide
thyself for ever?" The third comma of 1611 was removed in 1629, 11 1638, 1744,
1769, and in the current editions.
In Proverbs 1:27, the final colon of
16111630 after "cometh upon you": is preferable to the present full-stop,
introduced in 1629, and retained in the current editions.
In Proverbs 19:2,
the comma before "sinneth" should be restored, which was discarded in 1762. In
Proverbs 21:28, the comma before "speaketh" should be restored, which was
removed in 1769.
Hosea 7:11, "a silly dove, without heart" instead of
"silly dove without heart," since 1629; as though the last two words related to
the dove, instead of to Ephraim.
John 2:15, "and the sheep and the oxen."
In 1630 (not 1638 and 1743), 1762, and current editions, a comma was introduced
after "sheep." In 1762 this comma was replaced by a semicolon. John 18:3, "a
band of men, and officers." In 1769 the comma after "men" was dropped; hence,
the Roman cohort is not distinguished from the Jewish officers. Acts 11:26,
"taught much people, and the disciples were called." This was so from 1611 to
1630, both clauses being dependent on the verb "it came to pass." Two things
came to pass, (1) that the people were taught, and (2) that the disciples were
first called Christians. But in 16381743 the comma was replaced by a
semicolon, and in 1762 by a full stop: the latter being quite against the
Greek.
12 2 Corinthians 13:2, "as if I were present the second time." This
was so pointed from 16111762. But since 1769 a comma is inserted after
"present," connecting "the second time" with the fore-telling, instead of with
the being present.
Colossians 2:11. The comma was removed after "flesh," in
1762, thus making one statement instead of two. The two clauses beginning with
(en te) - "by the putting off," and "by the circumcision of Christ." That is to
say: "In whom [Christ] ye are circumcised with a circumcision not done by hand,
by the stripping off of the body (i.e. the flesh), by the circumcision of
Christ." Thus, this comma after "flesh" makes the last clause explanatory of
the one preceding it: and shows that in Christ there is something more than the
stripping off the old nature which is sinner ruin; even the flesh itself which
is involved in creature ruin.
2 Thessalonians 1:8, "in flaming fire, taking
vengeance." By removing this comma in 1769 the "fire" is wrongly connected with
the "vengeance," instead of with the being "revealed" in verse 7.
Hebrews
2:9. The comma was removed in 1769 after the word "angels," compelling us to
connect "for the suffering of death" with Christs humiliation, instead of
with His crowning.
If we rightly divide these words, the suffering will be
practically put in a parenthesis by the two commas, thus: "We see Jesus who was
made a little lower than the angels, (for the suffering of death crowned with
glory and honour), that he by the grace of God, should taste death for every
man." This comma is wrongly replaced in the RV.
Jude 7, "the cities about
them, in like manner." The comma after "them" was removed in 1638 and 1699 (not
1743); while in 1762 it was placed after "in like manner," thus increasing the
error.
2. Changes in punctuation where the later editions of the AV
are improvements These hardly need enumeration, seeing that they are not likely
to be missed. We may, however, note a few: -
Matthew 19:4, 5. In 1611 the
mark of interrogation was placed at the end of verse 4, but for many years it
has been removed to the end of verse 5.
John 12:20, "And there were certain
Greeks among them, that came up to worship at the Feast." This needless comma
after "them" was not removed till 1769.
Titus 2:13, "The appearing of the
great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ." This misleading comma, after "God,"
lingered till 1769; thus hiding the fact that only one Being is spoken of,
viz., "God even our Saviour": i.e. our great Saviour-God, Jesus Christ.
Luke 23:32, "And there were also two other malefactors, led with him to be
put to death." This of course practically classed the Lord Jesus as being one
of three malefactors. But since 1817 a comma has been placed after the word
"other," to avoid this implication.
Acts 27:27, "as we were driven up and
down in Adria about midnight, the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some
country." Not until after 1638 was the comma removed from after "midnight," and
placed after "Adria" - "driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the
shipment deemed," etc.
3. Changes of punctuation which are now
proposed as being most desirable These proposed changes we consider to be
improvements not only in the punctuation of the Edition of 1611 but of the
subsequent editions. These suggestions are made from a better understanding,
closer study of, and respect for the Context, as modifying or correcting
traditional interpretations. The RV goes back to the semicolon, but not to the
comma of 1611. 13 All the textual critics with RV omit "of the sins." That we
are more than warranted in such an attempt is shown by the Revisers in a note
they affix to Romans 9:5. In this passage, in all the editions, the full stop
is placed after the word "ever," thus: "Of whom as concerning the flesh Christ
came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." This text, being so weighty
in witnessing to the Godhead of the Lord Jesus, was evidently distasteful to
the Socinian member of the Company of Revisers: and, judging from the note
placed in the margin, one can imagine what line the discussion had taken. All
other marginal notes in the RV refer either to alternative renderings which
affect the Translation, or to ancient manuscript "Authorities" which affect the
Text. There is no example, so far as we have seen, where interpretation has
been introduced; or where there is any reference to the interpretations of
commentators. But here, there is the following lengthy marginal note, which
exhibits the compromise reached by the Revisers and the Unitarian. They
evidently declined to touch the Text; and consented to put this note in the
margin. Its intention will be at once seen: "Some modern interpreters place a
full stop after flesh, and Translate, He who is over all be (is) blessed for
ever: He who is over all is God blessed for ever. Others punctuate, flesh, who
is over all, God be blessed for ever." The object of this note is too painfully
apparent; but it shows how important is the subject of punctuation. Moreover,
it justifies us in not only calling attention to faulty punctuation, but in
suggesting changes where improvements may be made, which do not touch vital
truth, except to strengthen and enforce it. Whereas, sad to say, some of the
changes made by the Revisers are, unfortunately, those which interfere either
with the Deity of Christ, the Inspiration of the Scriptures, or the freeness of
Gods grace.
In 2 Samuel 23:5, if we make the last clause a question
instead of a statement, we get the clue to a better rendering of the verse. As
it stands in the AV and the RV it is difficult to make any sense of the verse,
at all. Not seeing the Structure or the true punctuation, the Translators were
obliged to translate the Hebrew word ki, for, in four different ways: not that
one way is necessary, for its usage is somewhat elastic. It may often connect
the hypothesis or condition with the result, either as a reason or conclusion.
If we ask what the word "so" (in verse 5) means in the first line, we have the
answer in verse 4, where we have a description of Gods King; and David
immediately adds that it will be even so with himself as Gods King and
with his house in virtue of Gods covenant (in 2 Samuel 7) with him and of
the sure mercies of (or mercies made sure to) David. In verse 4 we have an
alternation, the first and third lines speaking of the shining forth of
Gods light from heaven; and in the second and fourth lines, its effect on
the earth. 2 Samuel 23:4
A. And He shall be as the light of the morning,
. B. When the sun ariseth,
A. Even a morning without clouds;
. .B.
When, from brightness and from rain, the tender grass shooteth forth out of the
earth.
Then David goes on to say that, as that is a picture of what it will
be, when He that ruleth shall rule righteously among men, ruling in the fear of
God; even so will it be with his house and kingdom in virtue of the Covenant of
God. In verse 5 the AV renders the word ki in these four ways: - "Although,"
"yet," "for" "although." The RV renders them "Verily," "yet," "for,"
"although." The Structure of the verse shows that the four lines are arranged
as an Introversion, in which the first and fourth lines concern Davids
house; while the second and third lines are about Gods covenant. Now, if
we punctuate the first and fourth lines as questions we may have this
rendering, which certainly has the merit of consistency and clearness. 2 Samuel
23:5
C. "Verily, is not my house even so with God?
. .D. For He hath
made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: What is
to be done with the . . . .. ....."Amen," in this case, is not stated. So some
Codices, with four early-printed editions, and the Sept., Syr., and Vulg. . . .
. ....Versions. See Ginsburgs Heb. Text and note.
. D. Now, this
Covenant is all my salvation and all my desire,
C. For, Shall He not make
it (my house) to prosper?"
We may take other examples where improvements
can be suggested: - Isaiah 64:5, "Behold thou wast wroth, and we sinned: in
them have we been a long time, and, Shall we be saved?" In this case the RV
thus revises the punctuation of the AV to its great improvement. Jeremiah 3:1.
The last clause is evidently another question, repeating a similar question
earlier in the verse: "And yet shalt thou return unto me saith the LORD?"
Matthew 19:28, "Ye that have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of
man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
This was the punctuation of
1611, which was continued till 1629. But in 1630 a comma was introduced after
"regeneration," which entirely alters the sense. It has, happily, since been
removed from our modern editions. This improvement should be noted, and
retained.
Luke 16:9, "And I; say I unto you Make to yourselves
friends by means of the unrighteous mammon; that, when ye fail, they may
receive YOU into the everlasting habitations? [No! ] He that is faithful
in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the
least, is unjust in much also. If therefore YE have not been faithful," etc.
The context clearly shows that Christ is contrasting, and not identifying,
human and Divine modes of judgment. his context (vv 1012), and the
logical conclusion of the parable, have no meaning whatever unless the
commendation of the unjust stewards lord is set in contrast with the
condemnation of Christ. These verses (1012) are no mere independent
irrelevant statement, but are the logical conclusion to the whole argument. The
reception into the "everlasting habitations" of verse 9 is set in contrast with
the unjust stewards being received "into their houses" (v 4); the
principles which govern admission there, are the opposite of those that obtain
admission here. Hence our Lord follows this up by adding the great lesson in
verse 10: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much!
and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have
not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to you the true
riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans,
who will give you that which is our own" (see RV margin).
Luke 16:22, 23.
As at present translated and punctuated, the words read: "The rich man also
died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes." But if we substitute
Sheol or Hades for "hell," then we have (as in Isaiah 14:920) a
representation of dead people talking; as we have of the trees talking in
Cothams parable (Judg 9:815). If we further observe the Tenses and
Moods of the verbs, and repunctuate the passage, we have the result, as
follows: "The rich man also died, and was buried also in Hades. Having lifted
up his eyes, being in torments, he sayeth." There is no "and" before "sayeth."
It is not an additional statement, "and he sayeth"; but it is a second verb,
depending on the participle "having lifted up his eyes." This change in
translation is necessitated by the Greek; and the change in punctuation is not
suggested as a modern invention to support any particular interpretation: for
it is that adopted in the ancient Vulgate translation, which, though not the
original text, and of no authority as a text, is yet evidence of a fact. It is
punctuated in the same way by Tatian, Diatessaron (AD 170) and Marcion (AD
145); as well as in the ancient Jerusalem Syriac Version. And the fact is that
the first three words of verse 23 form, instead, the last three words of verse
22; a full stop being placed after the word Hades: while the word "and" is
treated by this as meaning "also." So that the whole sentence would read thus:
"But the rich man also died, and was buried also in Hades." "Buried also,"
implies what is only inferred as to Lazarus, meaning that the one was buried as
well as the other. Whether the punctuation be allowed, or not, it does not
affect the matter in the slightest degree. For that is where he was buried in
any case. It affects only the place where he is said to lift up his eyes. This
is further shown by the fact that the three verbs "died," "buried," and "he
lift up," are not all in the same Tense as they appear to be from the English.
The first two are in the past tense, while the third is the present participle,
(eparas), lifting up, thus commencing the 23rd verse with a new thought.
Luke 23:43, "Verily, I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
This is the common punctuation, but, is it correct? We have already seen enough
to show us that we are dependent only and entirely on the context and on the
analogy of truth. The word "verily" points us to the solemnity of the occasion,
and to the importance of what is about to be said. The solemn circumstance
under which the words were uttered marked the wonderful faith of the dying
malefactor; and the Lord referred to this by connecting the word "today" with
"I say." "Verily, I say unto thee this day." This day, when all seems lost, and
there is no hope; this day, when instead of reigning I am about to die. This
day, I say to thee, "Thou shalt be with me in paradise." "I say unto thee this
day" was the common Hebrew idiom for emphasizing the occasion of making a
solemn statement (see Deut 4:26,39,40, 5:1, 6:6, 7:11, 8:1,11,19, 9:3, 10:13,
11:2,8,13,26,27,28,32, 13:18, 15:5, 19:9, 26:3,16,18, 27:1,4,10, 28:1,13,14,15,
29:12, 30:2,8,11,15,16,18,19, 32:46).
"Paradise" was the condition of the
earth before the entrance of Satan and the pronouncing of the curse; so it will
be the condition of the earth again when Satan shall be bound, and the Lord
shall come and reign in His kingdom. It is called in Hebrew "Eden" sixteen
times, and "The Garden" nineteen times. The Greek for these is Paradisos (which
we have Englished "Paradise"). It is never used in any other sense than of a
place of beauty and delight on the earth. Never of any place above or under the
earth. "The Tree of Life" and "the river of the water of life" are its two
earthly characteristics. The traditional idea of any other place is unknown and
foreign to Scripture; and is the pure invention of fallen man. It comes down to
us from Babylon through Judaism and Romanism. We see it described in Genesis 2;
lost in Genesis 3; its restoration pronounced in Revelation 2:7; and regained
and enjoyed in the New Earth (Rev 22:15,14,17). The Lord answered the
request of the dying believer, not by promising something for which he did not
ask; but by granting him his hearts desire and giving him the request of
his lips. We therefore suggest the following translation and punctuation: "And
he said to Jesus, Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt have come in thy
kingdom. And Jesus answered him, Verily I say to thee this day, with me thou
shalt be, in Paradise." But there is more to be noted in the word "today" than
this. Mrs. A. S. Lewis, of Cambridge, has lately called attention to the
reading of the ancient Palimpsest Syriac Gospels at Mount Sinai, in which verse
39 reads, "Art thou not the Saviour? Save thyself alive today, and also us."
This was the taunt of the other malefactor who thus seems to have used the word
"today." The faith of the other showed that he looked for something more than
present deliverance: he believed in future glory in the coming of the kingdom.
Hence, in the Lords reply to him, He takes up this word "today" to show
that "today" was not to be the day of deliverance for either himself or others,
but the day of death. But though He spoke on that day of death, He gave the
promise of future glory, in which the other malefactor had so blessedly
confessed his belief. In this case there was a special reason for the
Lords use of the word "today." It was to correct a mistake; and it was,
in spite of present circumstances, to give the assurance of the coming future
glory of the kingdom.
John 7:3739. As it stands in the AV and RV this
passage is punctuated as follows: - "In the last day, that great day of the
feast, Jesus stood, and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me,
and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his
belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit,
which they that believe on him should receive. For the Holy Ghost (pneuma
hagion) was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified)." We have
to notice first that there is no article with the second pneuma (or Spirit) in
verse 39, which shows that what is "given" is the subject of the context,
(pneuma hagion) and not the Spirit Himself, the giver. Then, we further notice,
that the word "should" in the same verse (v 39) is not the sign of any tense,
but is a separate verb, (emellon), to be about to be. Lit., "were about to
receive"; (the latter verb "receive" being in the Infinitive Mood). As to the
word "belly" it is put, by the figure of speech called Synecdoche, for the
whole person, which is much stronger than using the mere personal pronoun
"him." It is a very emphatic "him." In this case the "his" is generally taken
as referring to the believer, for with our usual selfishness we take every good
thing as applying to ourselves. But we submit that it is to be understood of
Christ, who is the great fountain from whom the rivers of pneuma and grace and
blessing flow; and not of the believer, who is only the receiver; and from whom
a few drops may go forth, but certainly not "rivers." With these preliminary
observations we would punctuate it as suggested by Stier (Words of the Lord
Jesus), as follows: - "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me; and let him
drink, who believeth in Me! Even as the Scripture [concerning Me] hath said
Rivers out of HIM shall flow, of living water. " It is not the one
who drinks of Him who becomes the fountain; he is the receiver and not the
giver. The Fountain is the one whom Scripture had already designated as the
source of pneuma, and the channel whereby the rivers of spiritual grace and
blessing should flow. It is not the individual believer who is the subject of
the Old Testament prophecies; he, at the best, could only send forth one tiny
stream of what he had himself first received; but it is Christ in whom are all
our springs, who alone can say, "I will give unto him that is athirst, of the
fountain of water of life, freely" (Rev 21:6). The River proceeds "out of the
throne of God and of the Lamb" (Rev 22:1). In Christ are the hidden reservoirs
of blessing, out of whose abundant flow believers receive their graces and
gifts. Not until Christ had risen from the dead, and ascended into glory, could
these gifts be given. Hence, the explanation which is added in verse 39. The
Scriptures are many which speak of Messiah as the giver of these spiritual
blessings. (Compare Isa 12:3, 55:1; Eze 47:1; Joel 3:18; Zech 13:1, 14:8.)
These "rivers" of blessing flow not from the believer, but from the throne of
God, from Zion, and from Him who there will sit as king. The pneuma, or water,
of which Christ is the giver, will be "in HIM" a well of springing water
springing up, and flowing out as a supply for others (John 4:14). The
individual believer receives only enough for his own needs. He has no
reservoirs from which rivers can flow forth for the supply of others.
John
12:27, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from
this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour." We would translate and
punctuate this as follows: "Now am I troubled; and why should I say,
Father, save me from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this
hour."
John 14:2, "In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." But why would
He have told them about it if it were not so. The whole statement seems so
inconsequent. But, if we punctuate it as a question, and take out the full stop
after "you," we get a beautiful confirmation of what He had said and a further
assurance of its truth: "In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it
were not so, would I have told you I go to prepare a place for you?"
John
17:24. Is it clear as to which was "before the foundation of the world"? Was it
the gift, or the love? Punctuated as in the AV it is the latter. But may it not
well be rendered, "I will that they also whom Thou hast given me may be with me
where I am: That they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, because
thou lovedst me, before the foundation of the world." The sentence "because
thou lovedst me" thus becomes the basis of the whole petition; and (hoti) gets
its usual consequential meaning, because.
Acts 15:17, 18, should be
punctuated, and translated as follows, according to all the critical Greek
texts, with which the RV, J. N. Darby, Rotherham, and other translators agree:
"That the residue of men may seek after the Lord. And all the Gentiles, upon
whom my name is called, Saith the Lord who maketh these things known from the
beginning of the world; but was the secret "hid in God," until specially
revealed to the Apostle Paul.
Acts 23:8, "The Sadducees say that there is
no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit." The comma after "angel" in the
editions from 1611 to 1630, having been removed in editions from 1629 to 1743,
was restored in 1762; and should be retained.
Romans 8:32, 33, "Who shall
lay anything to the charge of Gods elect? Shall God that justifieth? Who
is he that condemneth? Shall Christ Jesus that died?" Here again the RV thus
amends the punctuation of the AV and sets an example which we follow in 1
Corinthians 15:29. Our revised punctuation will enable the translation to be
made more literal and more in agreement with the sense. A wrong punctuation
often leads to wrong translation and necessitates liberties which have to be
taken in order to make sense. "Else what are they doing who are being baptized?
[It is] for dead [bodies, or corpses], if the dead rise not at all. Why are
they then being baptized for dead [bodies]?" The argument is here continued and
taken up from verse 19, after the digression about resurrection, viz., that if
there be no resurrection baptism is worse than meaningless. It was merely
baptizing dying bodies instead of believers who were going to live again in
resurrection: it was only incurring trouble and suffering and persecution and
risk of this life for nothing, if there be no resurrection. This illustration,
therefore, takes its place with the other illustrations by which the argument
is enforced in the following verses: - the "jeopardy" of verse 30 and the
"fighting with beasts at Ephesus" of verse 32, connecting these three
illustrations of the "misery" of verse 19. There are other improvements which
might be suggested, of less importance perhaps, but still serving to show the
wide range which our subject covers.
Ephesians 4:12 has been punctuated in
all the editions, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." This would be quite correct
if the word "for" represented the same Greek word in each of the three clauses.
But the first is (pros), for, making the subjective purpose originating the
gifts; the second and third are (eis), for, marking the objective end for which
the gifts were designed. The commas after the words "saints" and "ministry"
hide this beautiful distinction, and make three objects instead of one (which
is twofold). The punctuation should be as follows: "For the perfecting of the
saints, with a view to the work of the ministry, with a [further] view to the
building up of the body of Christ." So that, instead of three separate
propositions, we have only one - "The perfecting of the saints." And this one
is with a twofold end, viz., the work of the ministry; and this work has, for
its ultimate end, the building up of "Gods building," which is the
spiritual body of Christ. (Compare 2:21,22 with 4:2,3.)
Hebrews 10:12
presents a peculiarly difficult example. In the AV from 16111630 it read,
"But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on
the right hand of God." But in 1638 the comma was removed, and placed after the
word "sins," and it read "for ever sat down," thus going back to the
punctuation of the Bishops Bible of 1568. This is the punctuation in the
Book of Common Prayer to this day, though the Cambridge Bible of 1858 restored
the punctuation of 1611 ("for ever, sat down"). There is something to be said
for the older punctuation: "after he had offered one sacrifice of sins, for
ever sat down." This expression, translated "for ever," is not the usual (eis
ton aiona), for the age,or for ever, but it is (eis to dienekes), for a
continuance, in distinction from interruptedly. It is connected not with the
offering of "sacrifice," but with "sat down." It asserts the fact that
Christs work as a Priest is finished. He has not to stand up again to
carry it (hoi nekroi) with the article, as here, denotes dead bodies; without
the article it means dead people. The Epistle for Good Friday is so punctuated
in the original MS attached to the Act of Uniformity of 1662, and now preserved
in the House of Lords.
From this, the "pernicious practice," as Dr.
Ginsburg well calls it, has continued in the Editions of the Hebrew Text since
printed, though it is discarded in his own Massoretico-Critical Edition,
printed in Vi-enna in 1894, and published by the Trinitarian Bible Society of
7, Bury Street, Bloomsbury, London. It will thus be seen how very modern, and
human, and how devoid of all authority are the chapter and verse divisions
which obtain in the version of the Bible generally, and in our English Bible in
particular. Though they are most useful for purposes of reference, we must be
careful never to use them for interpretation, or for doctrinal teaching. They
seldom accord with the breaks required by the Structure. Sometimes they break
the connection altogether; at other times they materially affect the
sense.
Up to AD 1517 the Editors of the Printed Text of the Hebrew Bible
closely adhered to the MSS and ignored the Christian or Gentile chapters. 6 See
Part II, CanonII. on and continue it. Earthly priests "stood daily" and all day
long, for there were no seats in the Tabernacle or Temple for the priests; but
Christ has "sat down" not to rise up again for the purpose of sacrifice, for,
having borne the sins of many, He will appear the second time without any
reference to sin, but for the complete salvation of His people. Hebrews 10:12
does not contradict Hebrews 9:28. The scope of Hebrews 10:12 is not the coming
of Christ, but the sacrifice of Christ; and this leads us to the conclusion
that the older punctuation is right, which was, as we have said: "But this man,
having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down for a continuance on the right
hand of God" (i.e., "took His seat once for all" in contrast with the standing
of v 11). This agrees with the scope of the passage, which is the contrast
between the ineffectual sacrifices of the Law and the effectual Sacrifice of
Christ; between the "daily standing" of the priests with the continual session
of Christ. This may be seen from The Structure of Hebrews 9:2510:18 A1.
9:25. Yearly sacrifices ineffectual, because "offered often" (pollakis).
.
B1. 9:2628. Christs sacrifice effectual, because offered "once for
all" (hapax).
A2. 10:14. Yearly sacrifices ineffectual, because
offered "continually" (eis to dienekes), for a continuance.
. B2.
10:510. Christs sacrifice effectual, because offered "once for all"
(ephapax), v 10.
A3. 10:11. Daily sacrifices ineffectual, because the
priest "standeth daily" (kath hemeran), "offering oftentimes" (pollakis). . .
.. B3. 10:1218. Christs sacrifice effectual, because having offered
"one" (mian), He sat down "continually" (eis to dienekes), for a
continuance.
Thus, in the members marked A we have what is ineffectual
because temporary, set in contrast with the members marked B, in which we have
what is effectual because permanent. In the A members we have the priests,
their sacrifices, and standing "often" "continually" "daily" In the B members
we have Christ, His sacrifice, and session "once" "once for all" "continually"
Indeed, the offering of sacrifices eis to dienekes (10:1) is put in direct
contrast with Christs having sat down eis to dienekes, in verse 12.
2
Peter 2:22. It makes all the difference whether we put a comma after the word
"and." If we omit it we make one proverb; if we insert it we get two proverbs.
"It is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to
his own vomit again; and, The sow that was washed to her wallowing in the
mire." The AV and RV and all the editions have no comma after the word "and";
and thus make only one proverb. In any case, the contrast is between the washed
sow at the end of 2 Peter 2 and the stray sheep at the end of 1 Peter 2. Both
"return"; but the sheep, however dirty it has become, returns to its shepherd;
while the sow, however clean it is washed, returns to her mire.
Parentheses. The Edition of 1611 abounded in parentheses. In the
subsequent editions there has been an increasing tendency to discard them; and
to supply their place by commas; or to ignore them altogether. But parentheses
are a means of increasing the emphasis of ordinary punctuation; and, on that
account, they require more careful consideration, rather than less; as the
meaning can be either destroyed, changed, or made more clear by their use. We
shall class all under one head, without regard to the changes in the various
editions; though we will note the changes where we can discover when they were
made. Many are already so marked, so that there is no need for us to notice
them. See Part II, Canon I. John 2:9, 4:8; Acts 1:15; Rom 3:8, 5:1317, 31
10:6,7; Eph 2:5; Phil 3:18,19; Col 2:21,22.)
The true Parenthesis is an
addition by way of explanation, and is complete in itself. When it is not by
way of explanation, but is an independent additional statement, complete in
itself, the Greeks called it Parembole or Insertion; because it is more in the
nature of a digression. When it was by way of feeling they called it
Interjection (Psa 42:2; Eze 16:23,24). When it was by way of a wish or prayer,
they called it Ejaculation (Hosea 9:14). When it was by way of apology or
excuse they called it Hypotimesis, or under-estimating (Rom 3:5; 2 Cor 11:23).
When it was by way of detraction they called it An Aeresis. When it was by way
of sudden exclamation they called it Cataploce (Eze 16:23,24; Rom9:3). All
these parenthetical additions are complete in themselves. But when the addition
is thrown in, as it were, casually, and is not complete in itself, the Greeks
called it Epitrechon,or Running along. In many instances the Structures of
Scripture practically place the member in a parenthesis between the two
corresponding members; and this, whether it be a large complex member, or
whether it be a single sentence. For example: - In Genesis 15:13, the words
"(and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them)" should be in a
parenthesis, as is clear from the Structure.
a. "Know of a surety that thy
seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs;
. b. and shall serve
them;
. b. and they shall afflict them;
a. four hundred years."
Here, in the extremes, "a" and "a" we have the sojourn and strangership as
a whole, while in "b" and "b" we have the servitude in Egypt. It is this
servitude which is thrown in parenthetically ("Epitrechon"; i.e., running
along); so that the sense reads on from "a" to "a"; and the time is not
affected by the addition of what will happen to them in any part of that time.
Genesis 46:26, "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt (which came out
of his loins) besides Jacobs sons wives, all the souls were
threescore and six." This Epitrechon is thrown in to explain the difference
between this number (66) and the number 75 in Acts 7:14, which included "all
his kindred," and was necessarily a larger number than that of Jacobs
direct descendants. Exodus 12:40, "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel
(who dwelt in Egypt) was four hundred and thirty years." This is an Epitrechon
or remark thrown in as an additional fact to explain exactly who these people
were. It thus saves us from making the mistake of thinking that they were in
Egypt during all those 430 years.
Joshua 6:1 is a true parenthesis or an
independent statement complete in itself, conveying an additional fact; but
inserted in order to explain and introduce the words of the Captain of
Jehovahs host, which are continued in verse 2.
1 Kings 7:19 is a
parenthesis and helps us to connect verses 18 and 20.
In 1 Kings 8:39 and
42 we have two complete and separate parentheses.
In 1 Kings 12:32 the
words "so did he in Bethel" should be marked as a parenthesis, as they were
down to 1769. It is the Figure Epitrechon.
1 Kings 21:25, 26, is a true
Parembole,as is Job 31:30, which was rightly marked as such from 1611 to 1744.
The brackets were removed in 1762.
In Psalm 68:18 we have an Epitrechon -
"yea, for the rebellious also" - which marks and magnifies the free grace of
God, bestowed not merely on the unworthy, but on those who were rebellious.
In Psalm 109, verses 6 to 19 are to be included in a parenthesis as being
the utterances of "the mouth of the wicked," and the words spoken with a lying
tongue; and "the words of hatred" (vv 2,3). Then, verse 20 takes up verse 5 and
says of all this: - "This is the work 32 of mine adversaries (from the LORD)
And of them that speak evil against me (Heb. my soul)." In Isaiah 22, verses
2124 are to be included within a parenthesis; carrying on the thought to
Him of whom Eliakim is only a type; and returning to the type and the history
in verse 25. The Structure of Isaiah shows that chapters 3639 are a
parenthetical parenthesis, being the history of HEZEKIAHS siege and
sickness; corresponding with chapters 712, which are also a parenthesis,
being historic events and prophecies connected with AHAZ.
Matthew
9:2022 is more an Episode than a Parembole. But it was marked as a
parenthesis down to 1762. The Edition of 1762 rejected it. Luke 1, verses 55
and 70 should each be placed in a parenthesis.
Romans 8:20. The words "not
willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same" are an Epitrechon.
The Ellipsis must be supplied by the repetition of the verb "waiteth," in verse
20 from verse 19. This is shown by The Structure of Romans 8:1921
a.
19. Expectation.
. b. 20. The reason: Creation made subject.
a.
20. Expectation.
. b. 21. Reason: Creation delivered.
This will
be seen more clearly if it is set out in full, as follows: - Romans
8:1921 a. Expectation: 19. For the earnest expectation of the creature
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. b. Reason: 20. For the
creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who
hath subjected the same; a. Expectation: 20. [waiteth, I say] in hope, b.
Reason: 21. Because the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 9:2, 3.
The Epitrechon should be punctuated as follows; noting that (eucho-men) is put,
by the Figure Hyperbaton, out of its place, in order to attract and call our
attention to the fact that it is in the Imperfect Tense, which is generally
well Englished by our word "used," i.e., "used to wish" (Lit., "was wishing"):
"I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart (for I used to wish,
even I myself, to be accursed from Christ) for my brethren, my kinsmen
according to the flesh." This shows us that Pauls sorrow was on account
of his brethren; and the Epitrechon is thrown in to explain why he had this
great heaviness and continual sorrow. As much as to say, it was because he knew
from his own experience their terrible position; for when he was in their
condition he knew what he "used to wish."
In 1 Corinthians 10:35
there is a true parenthesis; an explanation of what precedes, and it is
complete in itself. "And all ate the same spiritual meat, and all drank the
same spiritual drink. (For they drank of that spiritual rock following [it];
but the rock was Christ.) Nevertheless, with most of them God was not
well-pleased."The Pronoun, here, is very emphatic. Here, there is nothing about
following "them," as in the AV and RV and most translations (some putting it in
brackets). Two miracles are referred to: (1) The giving of the manna (related
in Exodus 16:14); and (2) the gift of the water in the FOLLOWING event, or
chapter (Exo 17:5,6). This is clearly the obvious meaning of the Greek, both
logically, grammatically, and historically. There is no occasion to go back to
the Ancient Jewish but childish tradition; nor to charge the Apostle with so
doing, as though he were not inspired. In a succession of miracles, one is
mentioned, and then that which followed it. The verb (akoloutheo) is used of
any kind of following; and of every mode of sequence. It is used of logical
sequence; Aristotle says "If there are two, it follows (akolouthei) that there
must be one." Longinus, speaking of the Figure Hyperbaton, says, "It is a
removal of words or thoughts out of their consecutive order." Thus, it is the
miracle and drinking of the water, which followed the miracle and eating of the
manna; and not the water following the people of Israel throughout their
journey. That would be no point in the Apostles argument which called for
the parenthetical explanation which he gives. His point was that both miracles
taught spiritual truths, which their fathers did not see, either then, or in
the days of John (John 6:4759).
1 Corinthians 15:2028 is a true
Parembole, almost amounting to a digression. It must be carefully noted in
order that we may closely connect verses 19 and 29, further consequences being
stated if there be no resurrection.
2 Corinthians 3:716 is a
Parembole or Digression, concerning the Old and New Covenants, in which the
subject is broken off from verse 6 and continued in verse 17. This subject was
the fact that "as the body without the pneuma (or spirit) is dead" (James
2:26), so the "letter" (or old Covenant) is dead without Christ; for "the Lord
(Christ) is its pneuma." Ephesians 2:1 takes up the words in the middle of
1:19, which does away with the necessity of all the italics in 2:1. If we
observe this parenthesis concerning the fact and results of Christs
resurrection (in 1:1923) we connect 2:1 with 1:19, and preserve the
truth and teaching of the whole passage, thus:- 1:19 "That ye may know...what
is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe" 2:1, "even you
who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 3. The whole of this
chapter is parenthetical; and is a true Parembole, being complete in itself.
This should be carefully noted, so that we may connect the "Therefore" of 4:1
with 2:22. There is a smaller parenthesis within the third chapter, viz. from
verses 113, verse 14 taking up the subject (which was broken off in verse
1) and repeating the words "For this cause." Ephesians 4:9, 10 are also two
parenthetical verses.
Philippians 1:23 is a true parenthesis, which is an
addition by way of explanation to show why the Apostle did not know which to
choose, "living" or "dying." The reason was that there was a third alternative,
better than either, viz., "the Return" of Christ (to analusai), when he would
be with Christ. But, as to the other two (which he returns to in verse 24), he
concludes that it would be better for him to remain in the flesh, than to die;
but not better than Christs Return. We must put verse 23 in a
parenthesis, and render it, "For I am being pressed out of (ek, ek) the two,
having an earnest desire for the Return (see Luke 12:36 34 ) and to be with
Christ, for it is far, far better [than either]," and read on from verse 22 to
24.
Philippians 2 should commence with verse 27 of chapter 1; 1:2729
being a parenthesis.
Philippians 3:214 is also a parenthesis, the
fifteenth verse taking up the subject of the first verse.
Philippians
3:810 is a Parembole within the parenthesis, and commences with the words
"for whom I have suffered the loss of all things," etc., down to the end of
verse 10. All this is a digression to show what he had gained in Christ Jesus
his Lord as compared with what he had lost in giving up the Jews
Religion. Verse 11 would then read on from the middle of verse 8, thus: 8. Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord. If by any means I might become partaker of the
out-resurrection from among the dead. The Apostle may be referring to a fresh
revelation of truth, which he received while in prison in Rome, concerning the
prize of our "calling on high," and our removal thither; and this may be either
explanatory of 1 Thessalonians 4:1318 or an additional and subsequent
revelation pointing to a prior removal (as implied in the word ex-anastasis).
In any case, it shows that Paul was not desiring to obtain this, or any other
advantage, by holiness of life, but by believing God concerning this calling on
high (not "upward calling"). . . Colossians 2:21 and part of 22 are already
rightly printed within a parenthesis, which should be carefully noted. 1
Timothy 3 parts of verse 14 and 15 should be read, "These things write I unto
thee that thou mayest know," etc.
Hebrews 1, 2, presents us with a
beautiful example of the manner in which the Structure of a passage puts its
various members into their respective parentheses, showing the true connections
and logical continuations.
a. 1:1,2. God speaking.
. b.
1:214. The Son: God. "better than angels"
a. 2:14. God
speaking.
. b. 2:518. The Son: Man. "lower than angels"
It will
be seen from this that the member "b" (vv 214) is practically a
digression, concerning the Son of whom God had spoken in verse 1. Similarly,
the member "a" (2:14) is a parenthesis standing between 1:14 and 2:5. So
that 2:1 (the word "therefore") reads on from the word "Son" in 1:2. And 2:5
(the word "for") reads on from the word "salvation" in 1:14. The study of the
Structure of Gods Word is therefore necessary, if we would discover its
logical di-visions, as well as the perfection of its literary divisions.
Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels (for
the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour) that he by the grace of
God should taste death for every man." This parenthesis teaches us that the
Lord Jesus was crowned with glory and honour for the suffering of death. At His
Transfiguration we see Him so crowned (2 Peter 1:17). We have already included
this passage under the former division on Punctuation.
1 Peter 1:35.
These verses are parenthetical, verse 6 being the continuation of verse 2.
In 2 Peter 1:19 the Epitrechon should be thus carefully marked: "Whereunto
(i.e., to the prophetic Word) ye do well that ye take heed (as unto a light
that shineth in a dark place, until the Day dawn and the Day-star arise) in
your hearts." The words "in your hearts" must be connected with the words "ye
do well to take heed," and not with the dawning of the coming Day or with the
rising of the Morning Star. That rising will not be in our hearts, but it will
be Christs glorious manifestation to Israel and to the world (Luke 1:78;
Rev 22:16). This world is a dark place, and the prophetic word is the only
light in it to which we do well to "take heed in our hearts." Tradition says
that Prophecy is a dark place, and that we do well to avoid it. But this only
proves the truth of the Scripture in which Jehovah declares, "My thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD" (Isa 55:8).
These examples will be sufficient to show the importance of this branch of
"rightly dividing the Word of truth," as to its Literary Form.
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