How does an adverb change the meaning of a sentence

How does an adverb change the meaning of a sentence

By Carl O. Cooper

Understanding the translation of the Greek text and being able to properly understand the correct use of the grammatical parts of speech can be a great help in understanding the meaning of verses when we study the Bible. Almost anyone can do this with the help of today’s internet search capability. Everything you need is there if you take the time to look for it. Most of the time the use of adjectives and adverbs and definitions of words are a very good aid to proper Bible study.

But there are a few things we must not lose sight of or these very things can become a distraction instead of an aid.

First off, we must remember that the Bible has been translated into English from the Greek text. All translations of the Bible are not equal and some can be outright wrong. So because of that possibility, don’t ever neglect to keep your mind on the immediate and remote context of the Bible text you are reading. And not only that, remember that the English words you are reading may have multiple meanings and some of those meanings may not agree with the proper meaning of the Greek word that has been translated. A case in point would be Acts 2:38 which says, “baptized for the remission of sins”. The Greek word here means “in order to have” and so does “for”. But “for” can also have a definition of “because of” and this definition has been improperly used to conceal Bible truth from several generations of denominational churches. This is a case where a definition of words has cause a distraction in understanding the Bible.

Another case where the use of adverbs and grammar has created a distraction is with 1 Corinthians 11: 29. “For he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”  Unworthily is properly translated as an adverb here and it does modify the verbs “eat and drink”. But the distraction is to neglect the immediate and remote context and limit the meaning of worthiness in the text to only making sure that our mind is on the body and blood of the Lord. This has been done because of questions as to who should partake of the Lord’s Supper. Is it designed for Christians or is it for everyone? Do we have open communion and invite everyone to partake regardless of their condition with Christ and do we invite atheists and Muslims and practicing homosexuals as well? The improper explanation of the significance of the adverb disguises the answer to these questions.

An easier verse to understand and explain how adverbs can be used to distract attention from some Bible truths is Colossians 1: 9-12. “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” 

Notice how the text says that we are to “walk worthy of the Lord”? This would be the same as saying “walk worthily of your salvation in Christ”. Now we do understand that “worthy” or “worthily” is an adverb and it modifies the verb walk, but what affect does this sentence construction have on the meaning of the sentence? Since the adverb modifies walk, would it make any sense to conclude that the subject “you” is not worthy of salvation in Christ, because the word walk is modified?   The answer is – No and we can also notice that the text tells us that we are “Qualified” to be saved. If you look carefully at the entire text it is saying, “you walk worthy of your salvation in Christ because you are qualified to be saved”. The entire text tells us that if we walk properly, we are worthy to be saved. This is sometimes the point where people cringe and want to make the context say something else. And the reason this happens is because we have been subjected for years to the denominational theologians who have told us that nothing we can do would ever make us worthy of salvation. (Please see my article, “Do We All Sin Daily”) for an explanation of this subject.

In cases where there is a strong desire to do anything to avoid admitting that the Bible calls Christians “worthy”, the adverb becomes a “tool” to draw attention away from the overall meaning of the text and to focus on a narrow meaning around the use of the adverb. Since the adverb properly modifies walk it can be made to appear that the walk is worthy but the subject “you” is not. This disguises the proper meaning of the text which is, “you can be worthy of your salvation in Christ”.

Of course you must walk in a proper way in order to still be worthy. And you must act and live in a proper way because you are worthy. And of course the reverse is implied as well.  If you do not walk or live in a proper way you will not be worthy of your salvation in Christ.

Does the Bible really teach that we can be worthy of our salvation? You better believe it does. Oh, I know, you have been told all your life that you are not worthy to be called holy people of God, but that is just not true. The Bible does not tell you that. The Bible calls you cleansed, sanctified, and holy. We just read that in Colossians 1:10 and it is not the only place that says so. There are many places that tell us that we are sealed and we are worthy of eternal life. One such place is Rev. 3:4. Look at what is said about the righteous people in Sardis. “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” If the people in the Sardis church were worthy of salvation, so are all faithful Christians.

 

Carl O. Cooper