Greek for Bible Readers

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Looking at the structure of sentences and literary techniques

A subtle understanding of a passage in the Greek New Testament (NT) requires that we study its structure. Structure cannot be translated into another language, because languages do not use the same grammatical system. Readers using only an English translation of the NT can only guess important distinctions in the original Greek text between main points and secondary points.

Rewriting a passage even with an elementary knowledge of Greek is often helpful for determining its structure, which in turn will help us better appreciate the passage’s meaning. Greek sentences normally consist of one main clause and (usually) one or more subordinate clauses. The main clause contains a finite verb—a verb, which combined with a subject, forms a sentence that can stand on own, for example, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). In structural analysis, we first identify the main clause, then the subordinate clauses, as the following analysis of Hebrews 12:1–2 illustrates:

“Therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every encumbrance and the easily-en-tangling sin, let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the Joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Note that “let us run” (trev cwmen, trechoµmen) is the only independent finite verb in the passage. By placing this line first, the main point immediately is evident: running the race with endurance.

Rearranging the passage (both in the Greek original and in translation) with the main point first, we have:

Therefore let us run with endurance the race set before us having so great a cloud of witness surrounding us laying aside every encumbrance and the easily-entangling sin fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross and despising the shame sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The basic ideas of the text now jump out like the white lines of a football field. The main theme is placed first; the more subordinate elements follow. These three clauses following the main point support the action: (1) Knowing that others have finished the race, the present generation of runners can also expect to complete it; (2) no runner, however, can hope attain the goal without an abhorrence of personal sin; and (3) the runner must focus Jesus, “the author and perfecter of faith.” The remaining items are a description of Jesus, showing how the main theme of “running the race” climaxes in Jesus. By outlining these elements we can better understand what the text urges its readers to do:

Theme: The Christian is called on to follow the example of Christ into a life of submission and obedience (“let us run the race with endurance”).

Outline:

I. Encouragements (“having so great a cloud of witnesses”)

II. Entanglements (“laying aside every encumbrence”).

III. Example (“fixing our eyes on Jesus”).

By keeping our outlines close to the text’s internal structure, we can emphasize the main thoughts of the author without “majoring on the minors” or reading into the text our own ideas.

Complementing structural analysis is rhetorical analysis, a study of literary techniques. Originally applied mainly to the Old Testament, rhetorical analysis is welcome and much needed supplement to clarify NT study. Ancient authors often employed literary devices to assist readers in understanding the message of a text or to persuade them of its truth. Hence the reader should always be aware that rhetorical techniques used in a text will directly influence its meaning.

For example, we noted how the structure of Hebrews 12:1–2 calls attention to the person and work of Christ. Now observe how this focus is confirmed by the rhetorical structure of the text (using my paraphrase):

Note that lines A, B, C and D each are mirrored by A’, B’, C’ and D’. In rhetoric, this device is known as a chiasmus—an inverted parallelism in which the center line—here E—receives the emphasis. Discovering this pattern not only indicates the author’s literary artistry, but calls attention to Jesus, the centerpiece of the entire paragraph:¹

To reap the fruit of rhetorical analysis the reader must tarry lovingly in the text; beauty often eludes the casual observer. Yet such analysis is often indispensable for determing the meaning of a passage. Another passage that lends itself nicely to structural and rhetorical analysis is Hebrews 1:1–4, considered by many the most beautifully constructed sentence in the entire Greek New Testament. Rearrange this text so that the primary point comes first; then put the primary and secondary points in outline form; lastly, see what insights you can gain from a rhetorical analysis of the text.

In the June BR column, we will share our outline of Hebrews 1:1–4 and then go on to look at tradition analysis and its relevance for New Testament interpretation. In the column after that we will attempt to answer some of the questions from readers about the Greek New Testament.

Looking at the structure of sentences and literary techniques A subtle understanding of a passage in the Greek New Testament (NT) requires that we study its structure. Structure cannot be translated into another language, because languages do not use the same grammatical system. Readers using only an English translation of the NT can only guess important distinctions in the original Greek text between main points and secondary points. Rewriting a passage even with an elementary knowledge of Greek is often helpful for determining its structure, which in turn will help us better appreciate the passage’s meaning. Greek sentences normally […]