Good Grammar

 

One of the hazards of teaching English is that I notice bad grammar.  I don’t want to be critical, but I’m just aware of mistakes.  For instance, my wife got a jar of facial cream.  The instructions read, “Apply a liberal amount to the skin, rubbing until it disappears.”  I thought, “Until which disappears?  The cream or the skin?”  But a working knowledge of grammar can be an advantage in Bible study.  II Timothy 3:16 begins, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable …”  And then Paul goes on to add four modifiers: “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  The modifiers explain, limit, and qualify the word that is modified, which is “profitable”.  Hey, Scripture is profitable for doctrine, Scripture is profitable for reproof, Scripture is profitable for correction, and Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness.  But that’s not all.  The next verse goes on to say that Scripture is not only purposeful, but practical.  II Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be perfect (complete), throughly furnished unto all good works.”  God’s Word is purposeful, and practical, and powerful!  And thank you to Miss Hidecker, Mr. Male, Miss Wagner, and Mrs. Martin for teaching me English grammar so that I could better understand God’s living Word!  Hey, read it!  The Bible is good food for your soul!