In this post we will look at - linking words – linking words are textual hints common in the bible and most all literature. Hints that help us follow the author’s logic and identify key points. Warning this may sound like a grammar lesson, because it is!
What are linking word?
Linking words help us to see the flow of an argument by revealing cause-and-effect relationships between different statements. They are like road signs in the bible. They help to tell us where the author is going.
These words can in many different ways ...
Give examples ... “For instance”
Add information ... “Furthermore”
Summarize ... “In short”
Sequence Ideas ... “Firstly, secondly, finally”
Give a reason ... “Because”
Give a result ... “So”
Contrast ideas ... “However”
Three most common linking words in Scripture
- “For” and “therefore” ... For and therefore are both words that show the flow of thought, but they point in different directions
- “Therefore” is like an arrows sign, it goes from left to right. What comes before the arrow is the reason and what comes afterwards is usually the result or consequence that flows from it. “For” is like an arrows sign pointing in the exact opposite (right to left) because the reason or explanation comes after the arrow.
- "So That" speak of results and reason as in the result of some action or way of thinking.
(1) For and Therefore - we will look ar first.
Now it is time to play find the road sign. In the two examples find the “linking word.”
Example 1: Pauls words in Philippians 2.5-11
“Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
What did God the Father do? Why did he do it?
Example 2: “Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has ben tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4.14-15)
What are we to do? Why are we to do it?
Other linking words that work like “Therefore” and “For”
Words like Therefore Words like For
consequently because
for this reason since
thus
so
(2) “If” Statements can be understood in two ways
1. As conditional ...
Example: “If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom ... However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.” (Deuteronomy 28.13, 15)
What conditions are being linked by “if?”
2. Or, as “because”
Exercise for you to do : read passage replace if with because.
Example: “If God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held fro judgement; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorra by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous should by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) - if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement, while continuing their punishment.” (2 Peter 2.4-9)
How is Peter using “if” here to make a because argument?
The use of “If” in this way can be persuasive, Read it again, out loud if you’re willing - This time leave in the “If” but read the “if” and the word after it (God, he, and this) with conviction then slight pause as you read! As you do these listen to what you’re saying, does it have a persuasive and rhetorical appeal?
(3) “So that” statements also can be understood two ways
1. They can be placed in the text to tell us the purpose behind something
Example: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.” (I John 2.1)
2. They can introduce the result of something
Example: “Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another.” (Luke 12.1)
Having looked at linking words, we begin to see how these words act as interpretive queues for our bible study - helping us to follow the author’s argument and ultimately see was the Lord has for us in a given passage. Now that I dumped all this on you, it would be helpful for you to practiced finding and interpreting linking words. I suggest Titus 2:1-15. Here is a little cheat sheet to get you started, in verses 1-10, you have 3 “so that”. Try to answer these three questions from the text?
What is the repeated reason for Godly living?
What is the significance of the “for” that links the two sessions of the passage?
How would the meaning of the passage change without verses 11-14?
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