A basic question as one approaches the study of any book is that of structure. The structure of most books is indicated in the Table of Contents. Structure not only tells us WHERE the author is taking us, it tells us HOW he is getting us there.

New Testament Books

New Testament books do not come with a table of contents. But do they have structure? If so, why? Does not structure pre-suppose purpose? If so, would not the fulfillment of purpose demand structure?

The answer to each of these questions is “Yes, of course.” God motivated the writers of the New Testament to pen their works with purpose. Sometimes the purpose is clearly stated; most of the time it is left for the reader to discern.

Here is where structure makes its contribution; the structure of a book is the means by which the author fulfills his purpose. Purpose and structure are interrelated.

· Structure is the backbone of a book.

· Verses, paragraphs, discourses, etc. are the fleshing-out of the backbone.

· Structure helps us see how the author fulfills his purpose.

· Where purpose is not clearly stated, structure helps us perceive the author’s purpose.

How to Analyze Book Structure in the New Testament

In analyzing any text, one is searching for the author’s major purpose(s). As I have stated, the structure of a book is the means of conveying that purpose. Apply these facts to the various New Testament books. If you can discern the author’s purpose, you can construct his plan, the structure that fulfills his purpose. The following are helpful pointers in such an analysis.

I. NOTHING can replace the reading of the text. One must read, re-read, and then read again. Harry Ironside, one of the most respected and capable teachers of the English Bible in the last century, would read the book he planned to teach at least 50 times before he even attempted to speak on it!

II. Read rapidly for an overview. Then read closely for detail, jotting down words or phrases that are repeated or occur frequently in the book.

Examples: “believe” and “believe” followed by

“eternal life” in John’s Gospel

“the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew

“righteousness” in Romans

III. Look for and record any direct statements of the author’s purpose(s).

Examples: John 20:30, 31 clearly state John’s purpose in writing the Gospel of John

1 John 1:3, 4; 2:12, 13, 14; 5:13 indicate 5 purposes of 1John

IV. Some tools to help you with words and phrases:

BOOKS

a. For the KJV: Greek-English Concordance to the New Testament, by J.B. Smith, Herald Press, Scottdale, PA, 1955 (recently reprinted in paperback).

This is the most thorough, user-friendly concordance on the KJV; the main body entrees are the Greek source words, but all English words are included in an index with an assigned reference number that relates them to the Greek words. Word searches are thus easily accessed for the student who knows little or no Greek.

2. Major Concordances: Strong or Young. Young is more user-friendly, but not as thorough. Both occasionally miss a word.

3. Concordance to the Greek New Testament, by Moulton & Gedden, T & T Clark, Edinburgh, 1974 reprint (1^st edition, 1897). This reflects the uses in the Greek New Testament of Westcott & Hort; the American Standard Version, 1901, is based upon this text. This concordance requires a working knowledge of Koine Greek.

4.The Exhaustive Concordance to the Greek New Testament, John Kohlenberger III, Edit., Zondervan, 1995. This work is based upon the Greek New Testament (Novem Testamentum Graece), 4^th Revised Edition, 1993, edited by B. Aland and K. Aland, Bruce Metzger, and others (published in the U.S. by the American Bible Society). Since this New Testament was the basis of the NASV and NIV, Kohlenberger’s concordance reflects word usage therein. It requires a working knowledge of Koine Greek.

COMPUTER HELPS

A computer with the right software reduces all this to the pushing of a few keys! MAC computers use Accordance software. IBM compatible computers use Bible Works (Hermeneutika) software. You can search the English texts (KJV, NASV, NIV, ASV, etc.) or the Greek texts! I use both the computer and books, so as to provide a double check.

V. Once you have done the detail work using the tools, trace the thought flow through the text. See if you can discover logic or a theme: then build an outline based upon the same.

Example: Discerning the Structure of Romans

Word repetitions:

“righteousness” (dikaiosunh), 36 times

“righteousness of God,” 8 times, 1:17; 3:5, 21, 22, 25, 26; 10:3 (2)

“to declare righteous,” “to justify” (dikaiow), 15 times

“righteous,” “just” (dikaioj), 7 times

“righteous,” “justification” (dikaiwma), 5 times

Theme of Romans: “The Righteousness of God”

Development of the Theme “The Righteousness of God” in Romans:

Chapter 1:15 – 3:20 The +R of God: No One Has It (CONDEMNATION)

Chapter 3:21 – 5:21 The +R of God: How To Get It (SALVATION)

Chapter 6 – 8 The +R of God: What It Produces (SANCTIFICATION)

Chapter 9 – 11 The +R of God: How Israel’s Rejection Relates To It

Chapter 12-15 The +R of God: Commands in View of It

CONCLUSION

Discernment of the structure of a book based upon the author’s stated purpose or his logical development of a theme requires diligence, intense study and hard work which includes patience. But the rewards are more than commensurate. You will learn with greater accuracy, increased confidence, and best of all, with assurance, that you are communicating the truth that the Holy Spirit intended when He inspired the New Testament authors to write. Study: study with a view to discerning book structure – He will show you approved! ¢

Ron Merryman served the Lord in Bible colleges for 11 years, and also pastored Holly Hills Bible Church in Denver, CO, for 14 years.