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Tips For Interpreting Scripture:

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Understanding “Flag” Words

in The New Testament

 

One of the major features of the language of the New Testament is the use of what we call connecting words or connectives. The appropriate name in grammar for a connecting word is the term, “conjunction.”

One of the best Bible teachers I ever sat under, the late Chester McCalley, a Dallas Seminary graduate who incidentally turned down an offer to teach New Testament Greek at Oxford and Cambridge Universities liked to refer to conjunctions as “flag” words.

Chester would say that “flag” words function to “flag” the reader’s attention to say, “hook me on to what was just previously said and then tie the previous statement(s) to what is to follow.” The writings of the Apostle Paul are the most prolific in all of the New Testament for the use of “flag” words. In fact, Paul is one of the most prolific “flaggers” in the history of all literature.

Connectives or “flag” words are words that tie ideas together showing their logical relationship. The following sentence demonstrates the use of connectives.

“We had planned to go to the shopping mall today because they are having some excellent sales, but the weather forecast calls for snow, so we may have to change our plans; therefore, be sure to give me a call before you venture out into the cold.”

Now, your first thought might be, “That is a long, complicated sentence.”

If that was your thinking, you’re correct. However, did you know that this is often the style of writing in the New Testament? In the sentence above, the word because introduces a reason for action; the word but introduces contrast; the word so points to result; and the word therefore introduces a conclusion.

Now let’s look at a real example out of the New Testament for comparison, such as Romans 1:16 and let’s continue to read noting all of the connecting words that abound within the text through the ten verses that follow. (vss 16-26)

Verse                      First Word

1:!7                           “For”
1:18                          “For”
1:19                          “because”
1:20                          “For”
1:21                          “For”
1:23                          “and”
1:24                          “therefore”
1:25                          “for”
1:26                          “for this reason”

Now, please note that even when you come to the last verse of chapter 1 and then glance forward to chapter 2, you will discover that it begins with the word “therefore.”

Now, let’s consider two important New Testament connectives, for and therefore.

“FOR”

The connective for is used to introduce a reason, an explanation, or support for an idea. Let’s look at First Timothy 1:12 where the Apostle Paul says:

“But I do not allow a woman to teach, or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”

Now, having said this, Paul knows that he needs to explain why he makes such a prohibition. For this reason, then, verse 13 begins with the word “For,” which is saying – “now I am going to explain why I prohibit women teachers.” Notice how verse 13 roots this prohibition in a reason that is taken from Genesis, chapter 3.

How about another example

In First Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul informs us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and “you are not your own.”

Verse 20 begins with the word “for” which serves to explain why we are not our own. It is because “you have been bought with a price.”

Verse 20b then begins with the connective, “therefore”, which introduces a conclusion or inference. It tells us what we should do or think in the light of what has just been said.

It’s been pointed out that the most comprehensive “therefore” in the New Testament is that of Romans 12:1. Paul teaches Christian doctrine in chapters 1 through 11 and then introduces the implications of all this teaching with the word, ”therefore” in the first verse of chapter 12.

Paul’s letter to Ephesians is loaded with flag words, and particularly so in Ephesians chapter 2.

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

With the exception of verse 15, ever verse in the chapter has a “flag” word meaning we are to hook on what follows after the flag to what just preceded the flag word. Technically, one of the longest sentences in the English language starts in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 3 and then continues through that chapter, plus all of chapter 2 and ends in chapter 3, verse 20.

If you look carefully through the above example of chapter 2, notice how these “flag” words hook every statement together into what amounts to be a train of thoughts coupled together with these “flag” words.

The ability to recognize “flag” words provides the basis for which the reader can understand the “context” of the passage or passages. Context is central to correct spiritual understanding and interpretation.

Failure to recognize and understand “flag” words and their function can lead to a misunderstanding of the meaning of a text or verse of scripture. Such misunderstandings can lead to the creation of false doctrine and be extension arguments that should never have developed from the outset.
For this reason, students of Biblical studies need to be able to know and recognize “flag” words and their intended function of guiding the reader for a proper understanding.

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