Page 90 - Basic English Grammar Student Textbook short

Appendix A: Consider God’s Word

Discovering the Basic Statement

"All the Body causes the growth of the Body." These words sound like someone's Bible interpretation, don't
they? On the contrary, the statement is Ephesians 4:16, reduced to the basic sentence structure and leaving out
most of the modifiers.

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

All the Body is the subject, causes is the verb or simple predicate, and growth (of the Body) is the direct object—
subject, verb, direct object. The Body causes the growth. Since many Christians have the impression that the
growth of the Body of Christ is caused by the ministry of a select few, this statement is revolutionary. Without
some understanding of basic English grammar, however, the point of Paul's statement is easy to miss. To
summarize the statement in context, God has given certain gifted members to perfect the saints unto the work
of ministry, so that all the Body might cause the growth of the Body, building itself up in love.

This is just one example of how an understanding of the basics of English grammar can help us greatly in our
study of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable..." All scripture, every word
of Scripture, was breathed out by God. "The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life," says Jesus in John
6:63. We do well to regard every single word with reverence, as something proceeding out of the mouth of God
(Matt. 4:4). It is not hard to see, therefore, that a knowledge of grammar, which is simply a description of a
language and how it works, is of great value to the Bible student.
Why English Grammar?

Why not Greek or Hebrew grammar?" one might ask. Of course, they are the original languages of the Bible and
are of primary importance, but the easiest way to start learning about them is to review the language with
which we are most familiar. Since you are reading this, you are probably relatively familiar with English; you may
not, however, be completely familiar with the concepts of English grammar. Many of us learn our original
language by trial and error at an early age. Though some grammar is taught in school, we may not pay that much
attention to it or appreciate its relevance. Later, if and when we begin learning other languages, we realize
immediately that we have a deficit when it comes to understanding the grammar of our own language.

Teacher's Note: Don't panic! We will start with the basics and build upon it. You will be amazed, then, how
you can begin to apply what you are learning to your daily reading and studying of God's Word. The next time
you are called upon to teach, preach, or give a brief devotional, you will have the knowledge to get to the core
of what God is saying through His Word.

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