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tells us that the Apostle had before him three related subjects that are at the basis of his
ministry to the Gentiles.
Paul's independent Apostleship. "Not, neither, but" (Gal. 1: 1).
Paul's independent Gospel. "Not, neither, but" (Gal. 1: 11, 12).
Paul's independent Commission. "Not, neither, but" (Gal. 1: 16, 17).
He who sees this is independent of human expositions, and he who believes it is
independent of all human criticism or authority so far as the things of God are concerned.
The knowledge of the scope of a book, discovered by its structure, enforces true
translation. This can be illustrated from the A.V. rendering of Eph. 6: 13 "Having
done all". Had the translators realized that Ephesians has a perfect balance of parts, and
that Eph. 1: 19 - 2: 7 is in structural correspondence with Eph. 6: 10-13, they would
have been compelled to balance the words `work in' of Eph. 1: 19 by `work out' in
Eph. 6: 13, even as they have so translated the two words in Phil. 2: 12, 13.
Supplementing this we quote from Dr. Bullinger's Figures of Speech:
"The subject, which may not be mentioned in one member may be named in the other.
We are thus helped to a correct interpretation. For example, in the structure of
I Pet. 3: 18-22, it is not clear who or what may be `the-in-prison-spirits' of verse 19.
But in the corresponding member (verse 22) they are mentioned by name as `angels'. We
thus learn that the subject of the former member (verse 19) is the disobedience of angels
in the days of Noah (Gen. 6:), while the subject of the latter (verse 22) is the subjection
of angels and authorities and powers. Having thus got the scope of the passage, we get
the meaning of `spirits' and remember how it is written `He maketh His angels spirits'
(Psa. 104: 4; Heb. 1: 7). We at once connect their sin in the days of Noah and their prison
with Gen. 6: 1, 2 and Jude 6. We have thus the clue to the true interpretation of this
passage, which if followed out will lead to a correct exegesis."
The Editor of the magazine, if given half an hour in which to prepare to speak on any
given passage of Scripture, would devote twenty minutes of that precious time in
ascertaining the scope of the passage by means of the structure, and would not begrudge
the time, knowing that no knowledge of words, or of doctrine, could make up for
essential truth provided by the structure and the scope. We do not give this as the only
method of study, we but state a personal fact and speak of what is characteristic of our
own mode of study and presentation. We an only say to fellow students and fellow
teachers `it works'.
A few examples may be of service, illustrating the way in which the structure points to
the teaching of any given passage.
PSALM 19:
A |
1-4. The Heavens.
B
| 4-6. The sun in them. (Bahem in them)
A |
7-10. The Scriptures.
B
| 11-14. The servant in them. (Bahem in them)