Lesson 7 | Digging Deeper into Verbal Phrases, Part 1
Conjunction Phrases
The next type of verbal phrase is a conjunction phrase, which is simply a phrase that begins with a conjunction, like “but” or “for.” The function of a conjunction is to join together large units of thought, like clauses or whole sentences.
All the conjunctions in the following passage of Scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, are marked in bold. The exceptions are those that start a main phrase (which you don’t label with an arrow or a relationship), which are marked in italics.
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
In lesson 4, we included a cheat sheet that is important to mention here. It lists the major English conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, and prepositions used in the ESV. Beside each conjunction is the relationship(s) it commonly indicates, along with a sample Scripture reference.
Conjunction phrases exhibit 11 major relationships with their anchor phrase, according to the Phrasing Relationships cheat sheet, where they are marked with the letter “C.” Use the scriptural examples of each relationship below to reinforce your ability to identify them.
The reason why Paul opposed Cephas was because he was in a position of condemnation due to his hypocrisy (see v. 12-13).
I deliberately chose a Result example using the conjunction “and,” because it is such an ambiguous conjunction. In fact, it can be used to express any of the phrasing relationships! When you see an “and” beginning a phrase, you need to think carefully about how that phrase relates to its anchor phrase.
In this instance, Judas’s bowels gushed out as a result of his body’s falling and bursting open.
The difference between Purpose and Result, remember, is intention. In this passage, God is telling his people the reason they are to build his house, not merely mentioning a side-effect that will result. Thus, these two phrases are best understood as having a Purpose relationship to their anchor phrase.
If King Ahaz would not firmly trust God’s word, he would not be able to stand at all.
The raven Noah sent out flew around only until the waters were dried up.
Where does the Lord turn the heart of the king? Wherever he wants to.
David would not be afraid even though he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death. This Concessive phrase makes his statement of fearlessness more striking.
The psalmist compares his desire for God to the thirst of a deer desperate for a drink.
Paul enforces and clarifies his assertion that he works with the Corinthian church for their joy by comparing it to what he does not do: lord it over their faith.
In this example, the anchor phrase begins with the conjunction. However, there are many times when the subordinate phrase begins with the conjunction.
John’s explanation is that love is defined by walking according to Jesus’ commandments.
After Paul states the fact of his constant prayer for the Thessalonians, he reveals the content of his prayer.