Logos Bible Software Blog: Waiting for the Next Shoe to Drop, Part 2 Page 1 of 3

March 27, 2008

Waiting for the Next Shoe to Drop, Part 2

Today's guest post is from Dr. Steve Runge, a scholar-in-residence at Logos Bible Software, whose work focuses
on the discourse grammar of Hebrew and Greek.

Logos has just posted a Pre-Pub for a whole new kind of Bible study toolthe
Lexham High Definition New Testament and the Lexham Discourse Greek New
Testament. Over the last few weeks I have described a few of the concepts that
are included in these resources:

Backgrounding
Characterization
Point-counterpoint sets

This post is a follow up to tell you about another strategy that the New
Testament writers used to create point-counterpoint sets. This device allows the
writer to highlight important connections that they did not want us to miss. In the
first post, I talked about how words like while can be used to create anticipation
that another shoe is going to drop. Here is the example again, just to refresh
your memory. Notice the difference that adding the italicized word makes regarding your expectations about what
might follow:

1. I have really appreciated your work over the last few months . . .

versus . . .

2. While I have really appreciated your work over the last few months . . .

or . . .

3. I have appreciated most of your work over the last few months . . .

In this post, I am going to tell you how negative statements can be used to create the same kind of effect that
something more is coming, another shoe so to speak. When I was growing up, I remember being told not just
what I was supposed to do, but also what I was not supposed to do. Think about the following sentences.

1. Get up and help.

2. Dont sit there. Get up and help.
3. Dont just sit there; instead, get up and help.

When I read these words, I hear my moms voice in my head. I could tell how frustrated she was by which option
she used. Option 1 communicates what she wanted me to do, but without much force. Option 2 has a bit more
oomph (read frustration), a bit more zing. Telling me what not to do does two things. First, it makes me wonder
what I am supposed to do, if I am not supposed to sit there. Second, the negative statement provides a
backdrop against which to contrast the positive statement. Option 2 sounds sharper because the contrast
between the negative and the positive is sharper. Finally there is option 3, which adds some extra words (just
and instead) that really forces me to link these two statements together in ways that option 2 just implied.

We make decisions like this all the time when we are speaking, but not by stopping and thinking Hmm, should I
create a counterpoint? We just do what '
fits best'in the context, based on whatever it is that we want to

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communicate. My mom made decisions about whether to use option 1, 2, or 3, depending upon how much force
she wanted to use (Believe me, I made option 3 look pretty attractive far too often).

The negative statement is called a counterpoint , and serves as a contrast and a set-up for the point that

follows. In most cases, the point is the more important of the two. In the Lexham High Definition New Testament
and the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament, every point-counterpoint set that is explicitly signaled in the
New Testament is marked right in the text, making sure you dont miss any important connections in your Bible
study or sermon preparation. It will look something like this:

Dont just stand there ,
DO something.

The pairing of negative and positive statements is used all over the New Testament to create special connections
called counter points and points. Lets take a look at some NT examples.

In Matthew 4, Jesus is being tempted by Satan after having fasted for 40 days. Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones
into bread to relieve his hunger. Jesus responds in v. 4:

But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live

by bread alone, but
by every word that comes

from the mouth of God.

This is a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3 . Notice that is says what you shall not live on before telling you what
you shall live on. Stating what not to do is a powerful way of both creating an expectation that more is coming,
as well as setting up a contrast with what follows. Not every negative statement creates a counterpoint, but the
Lexham High Definition New Testament and the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament shows you where
they do. Going back to Matt 4:4 , Jesus not only rejects what Satan had tempted him to live upon, but he also
sets the stage for what he (and we) should live uponthe Word of God.

In Romans 1:32 , Paul creates a powerful point-counterpoint set using a not only . . . but also framework.

Though they know Gods decree that those who

, practice such things deserve to die, they not only do


them but give approval to those who practice

.
them.

It is bad enough that those who know Gods decrees are not obeying them, but it is actually far worse. Not only
do they do them, but they also/even give approval to others who do them. The bullet () at the beginning of the
point in English is the also/even that I added in my translation. This Greek word makes the contrast even
sharper than just the negative/positive order. It would have been much easier for Paul to just state that they give
approval to those who . . . . Providing the negative first followed by the positive really adds some zing to the force
of the statement, which is strengthened even more by the not only . . . but also structure. The ESV did not
maintain the also connection that is there in Greek. The use of also/even to strengthen connections of one of
the special devices that is annotated in the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament (called thematic addition),
but is not included in the HDNT.

There is a whole series of point-counterpoint sets in Ephesians 5:15-18 that create the same kind of
contrasting connections as in the other examples we have looked at.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise

16


,
but

as wise,
16 making the best use of the time,

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, ! . 17 because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be

,
! foolish, but
understand what the will of the Lord
.
18 " , is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that
,

! " ,
is debauchery, but
be filled with the Spirit,

Paul gives us a series of commands, and uses the counterpoints to sharpen the contrast between what we are
not supposed to do and what we are supposed to do. Sharpening the contrast also helps to tighten the
connection between these commands. Remember, he could have just as easily said, walk wisely . . . understand
the will of the Lord . . . be filled with the Spirit. Leaving out the counterpoints would have been easier, but would
also have removed much of the zing and punch that these commands have in their current form.

Point-counterpoint sets are just one of more than 15 different devices included in the HDNT, and of more than 35
that are found in the LDGNT. Every place a point-counterpoint set is clearly marked in Greek, it is annotated in
the resources using the counterpoint point symbols. If you are interested in learning about other

devices that are included in these resources, check out my previous blog posts.

Waiting for the Next Shoe to Drop, Part 1

Stylistic Variation or Intentional Shaping? A Look at Characterization in John 11
Making of the Lexham High Definition New Testament
Who Cares About Participles? I Do!

If you haven'
t yet placed your order, don'
t miss out while it'
s still available at the discounted Pre-Pub pricing.

Lexham High Definition New Testament

Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament

Posted by Phil Gons at March 27, 2008 06:00 AM

Comments

I already ordered a version of this...unfortunately, the wait is...killing me! I'

m really looking forward to getting this
resource, if I had to choose between this and a commentary, I'
d take this any day. Steve Runge, thanks for your
hard work creating this, and thanks for making these sorts of tools available. It really is a radically fresh approach
to the text...from my point of view anyway.

Posted by: John Murphy at March 28, 2008 07:05 AM

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