Lesson 7 | A little more grammar
Relative clauses
What is a relative clause?
A relative clause is a “normal” (i.e. finite) verbal clause that includes a relative pronoun. It tells you more about a particular noun or pronoun. There are four key relative pronouns in English: who, whom, which and that. The relative clauses are marked bold below.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. —Philippians 3:12-4:1
You can think of a relative clause like a footnote to a specific noun or pronoun which you mouse over to answer a which? question. For example, verse 15 begins with the words, “Let those of us.” We then can ask, “Which those?” The answer is the relative clause that follows: “who are mature.” The noun or pronoun being expounded upon (“those of us” in this case) is called the antecedent.
That example is simple enough, but there are more difficult aspects to relative clauses which we must explore.
1) Some relative clauses do not have relative pronouns
While this is not especially common, we do have an example in verse 17 above. This verse actually contains two relative clauses, not just one. The first is, “who walk according to the example you have in us” and is telling us more about the antecedent “those.” However, the last four words in this relative clause actually form a second relative clause, this time telling us more about the antecedent “example.” Which example? Answer: the one “[which] you have in us.”
2) A relative clause can span several propositions
This is quite common and is seen in the majority of the relative clauses in the text above. While only the first proposition in each case has been marked in bold, these relative clauses actually extend beyond the bolded text, as seen in the chart.
3) Relative clauses can be within other relative clauses
Look again at the chart above and note this dynamic in verses 17 and 21.
Relative clauses to not break off
Relative clauses should be left in the same proposition as their antecedent when they are both simple and serving a defining role. By simple, we mean that there is only one proposition contained in this relative clause.
A relative clause is playing a defining role when its absence would change the meaning of the antecedent. For example, consider what would happen if I were to take the relative clause out of the sentence, “I love food which is deep fried.” This would change the sentence to, “I love food” and would alter what I mean by the antecedent “food.” In the sentence with the relative clause, I have a specific type of food in mind, whereas the sentence without the relative clause speaks of food in general. Thus, we can see that the relative clause, “which is deep fried,” is playing a defining role.
On the other hand, the situation is different if I were to remove the relative clause from this sentence: “I love broccoli, which is one of the most healthy vegetables.” In this case, removing “which is one of the most healthy vegetables” will not change what is meant by “broccoli.” Extra information has been lost, but the meaning of what remains has not been changed. So here we can see that the relative clause is not playing a defining role.
Let's now add these ideas to our chart.
Only those relative clauses which are both simple and playing a defining role should be left in the same proposition as their antecedent.
Relative clauses to break into a new proposition
On the other hand, if a relative clause is complex (i.e. containing multiple propositions), then we are going to want to connect the propositions within it to one another. We can only do so if we first break this relative clause off from its antecedent.
Likewise, a relative clause which is playing a non-defining role should be broken off as a new proposition. The reason is that we want to know what this relative clause is doing. When a relative clause is playing a defining role, we already know why the author included it. He had to in order to define what he meant! But when the relative clause is non-defining, it beckons the question as to why it was included. Breaking it off into a new proposition forces us to ask this question.
Quiz
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:2-7
Should "who have labored..." (vs3) be broken off to start a new proposition?
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Should "whose names..." (vs3) be broken off to start a new proposition?
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Should "which surpasses..." (vs7) be broken off to start a new proposition?
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