Webster’s Everyday Encyclopedia of the New World Dictionary of the American Language (1967) devotes a large section to a “Guide to English Grammar.” The first presentation in this section is a brief description of an “Article” in English grammar. It says:
An Article is a word placed before a noun to show whether the noun is used in a particular or general sense. (1) Give me a book could mean any book. (2) Give me the red and green striped book, on Golf, would mean only the specific book indicated. The article “a” when used, indicates something general, or any item. When the article “the” is used, only the specific, one-of-a-kind item defined by the description given is meant.
In simpler terms, the article “the” points to things that are one of a kind, singular or unique. The article “a” is a general term denoting more than one or many of a type. Did you ever employ such reasoning in your attempts to study the Bible? Doing so will amaze you as you attempt to “show thyself approved unto God…” (2Timothy 2:15). Let’s look at some simple examples of this truth.
In 760 B.C. Isaiah said, “…for out of Zion [Jerusalem] shall go forth the law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3). Employing the established rule of ‘articles’ in English grammar would render this verse thusly. “for out of Zion [Jerusalem] shall go forth the [only] law, and the [only] Word of the [only] Lord from Jerusalem.” One has only to look at Acts 2 to see this prophesy fulfilled.
Why is this an important idea? The proper appreciation of articles is important because Christ said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). Employ the “article” rule and look at what Christ said. “I am the [only] way, the [only] truth, and the [only] life” (John 14:6).
Anyone who might have trouble believing, accepting or understanding the simple truths from God can study other relative Scriptures to better understand what is taught. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Essentially, this means: It’s God’s way or it’s a wrong way! Remember, “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
A brief survey of Colossians 1:18, making proper grammatical use of the article ‘‘the,” will forever settle the questions that arise when the multitudes ask, “How many churches are there?” Colossians 1:18 reads, in part, “And He is the head of the Body, the Church…” Imposition of the “article” rule will render this verse as follows: “And He is the [only] head of the [only] Body, the [only] church…” (Colossians 1:18).
The inspired Prophet Jeremiah spoke truth when he said, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Since this is an eternal truth, what can man do? Do what God directs! “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Remember! “Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17). That settles it! Nothing else can save us, so nothing else is needed!
