Bible Cycle Step 4

Bible Cycle 4: Verses             = The Nitty Gritty – Phrases and Word Meanings

Our last step is the Bible Cycle Step Four: Working with Phrases and Word Meanings.  

1. This time, sit down and read the specific literary unit that you have identified of which the verse or set of verses fall under. 
2. Re-read the literary in a couple of different translation theories

• Here is the spectrum again:

• Word for Word – NKJV, NASB, ESV
• Balanced – HCSB, NIV
• Thought for Thought – CEV, NLT
• Paraphrase – Living Bible, The Message

2. Look for Literary and Grammatical Gems – Make written notes and explore
• Items that are emphasized – Stated purpose, space allotted to a topic/theme, order of events, lists
• Repeated phrases
• Repeated grammatical structures
• Contrasts – cause and effect or things that are unalike
• Similes – comparisons using ‘like’ or ‘as’
• Metaphors – figures of speech that do use ‘like’ or ‘as’
• Irony (something unexpected)
• Pictures or stories of reality
3. Use Study Aids to explore specific word usage as it relates to the context of the studied passage.
4. Special Note on Paradoxical pairs.  Allow me to quote directly from Dr. Bob Utley’s Fourth Reading Cycle:
• “Look for possible paradoxical pair[s] within your subject.  Many biblical truths are presented in dialectical pairs; many denominational conflicts come from proof-texting half of a biblical tension.  All of the Bible is inspired, and we must seek out its complete message in order to provide a Scriptural balance to our interpretation.”  http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/good_bible_reading.htm
5. Continue asking the Application questions and making notes as you further your understanding of the meaning in paragraphs. Here are the application questions again:
• 1.      Is there an example for me to follow?

  2.      Is there a sin to avoid?

  3.      Is there a promise to claim?

  4.      Is there a prayer to repeat?

  5.      Is there a command to obey?

  6.      Is there a condition to meet?

  7.      Is there a verse to memorize?

  8.      Is there an error to mark?

  9.      Is there a challenge to face?