Understanding What Was Said in I Corinthians
The Same Thing in Different Words
In many languages, and in English in particular, we tend to like a variation to our words. We might repeat an idea, but we change the words slightly so we don’t sound like a broken record. In addition, every word has a basic meaning but it often includes subtle shades of additional meaning. By selecting which set of similar words we use in a discussion, we fine-tune exactly what we mean to get across.
We also should be aware of when the antonyms of our keywords are being used. I suggest marking those with a red circle and slash around the icon for that keyword.
Greek, like English, makes use of pronouns to refer back to who is being discussed. We need to identify the pronouns so we can better understand who is being talked about.
Class Discussion
- What words serve as pronouns? (I, he, she, they, us, them, those, it, who, this, these, you, your, our, my, mine, his, her)
- Using the first chapter of Corinthians, identify the pronouns.
- Using the first chapter and your list of keywords, what synonyms and antonyms can you identify?
Initial Mark-Up (Chapters 12 to 16)
- Go through chapters 12 to 16 and mark up the text.
- Mark each person named as a person and underline the name. Use a different color for each person.
- Mark each location named and underline the name. Use a different color for each place.
- Mark each time reference.
- Mark each keyword.
- Begin going back through I Corinthians
- Identify and mark all the pronouns.
- Identify and mark all the synonyms to your keywords.
