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Word study, or lexical analysis, the process we use to determine the meaning of words in a foreign-language text, was the focus of our last column. We discussed the principles—considering the range of meanings, the context and the significance of the words—as well as the procedures and dangers of doing Greek word study in the New Testament. Here we give an example of a word study based on 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (please turn to this verse). Paul commands the Thessalonians to help “the weak” (
The dominant sense of the adjective
Many scholars interpret the word “weak” in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 in light of Paul’s usage of
There are contextual clues to the meaning of “the weak” in 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Notice that Paul’s command to help the weak is preceded by commands to admonish the idlers and to encourage the fainthearted. These three groups—the idlers, the faint-hearted and the weak—seem to be addressed successively in 4:9–12, 4:13–18 and 5:1–11. Those who are idle Paul exhorts to go back to work and to stop depending on the charity of their fellow Christians (4:9–12). Those who are faint-hearted at the passing of loved ones Paul encourages with the news that the dead in Christ will rise first at the Second Coming (4:13–18). And those who are weak Paul admonishes to persevere in the faith and to prepare themselves for the imminent Day of the Lord (5:1–11). Thus we may define “the weak” as those Thessalonians who were worried about the delay of the Parousia (the return of Christ) and who consequently were in danger of giving up hope. Paul writes that, in spite of their failings and shortcomings, the weak must be accepted, borne up, held fast and nurtured.
This view of “the weak” in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 seems preferable to the traditional view mentioned above. It fits nicely with the structure of Paul’s exhortations in this letter. It also fits well with the strongly eschatological tone of 1 Thessalonians. These new converts had expected an immediate Parousia issuing in sudden glory, but instead were faced with its delay and with terrible adversity. The stress of life in the midst of such suffering must have been tremendous. Little wonder, then, that there were “weak” Christians in the Church. Thus it is altogether possible—even probable—that Paul had these Christians in mind when he wrote 5:1–11 and when he later commanded the church to “help the weak.”a
The above analysis illustrates an extremely important point made in our last column: One must always take into consideration the immediate context when doing a word study. Because most words have a fairly wide range of meanings, the context is necessary to clarify which meaning was intended by the author. Word study is of benefit to exegesis only when the interpreter is careful to see how the word has actually been put to use in the service of concrete expression.
Although lexical analysis is important, it is a limited tool, a handmaiden rather than a queen. As a professor of Greek, I have never worried much about my students’ ability to do word studies; I am always far more anxious that they will stop there. Too much New Testament preaching and teaching tends to be “word bound” and to ignore the broader context in which words are found. However, the significance of context in Bible study cannot be overemphasized, since it is the sentence (and not the word) that is the linguistic bearer of meaning. Linguists agree that the uniqueness of the New Testament is not found in the issuing of new “Christian” words but rather in new combinations of existing words. This point is neatly illustrated in the story of the billionaire who wanted to give an employee a gift. The intended beneficiary suggested, “Perhaps a few golf clubs.” Later the employee received a telegram that said, “Have bought you Pebble Beach and am negotiating for the Riviera.” The employee, of course, had meant irons, drivers and a putter!
When lexical analysis has exhausted its usefulness, it is time to go on to syntactical analysis. Syntax involves sensitivity to clauses and other sense units that are larger than individual words. Since syntax is essential to an author’s thought patterns, it is here that Greek has a particularly useful role to play. In our next column we will discuss what syntactical analysis involves and how it can aid us in interpreting the New Testament.
Word study, or lexical analysis, the process we use to determine the meaning of words in a foreign-language text, was the focus of our last column. We discussed the principles—considering the range of meanings, the context and the significance of the words—as well as the procedures and dangers of doing Greek word study in the New Testament. Here we give an example of a word study based on 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (please turn to this verse). Paul commands the Thessalonians to help “the weak” (twßn ajsqenwßn, toµn asthenoµn, genitive plural). But who are “the weak”? The dominant sense of […]
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