Session 5 – Bringing All the Pieces Together

In this session, the concept of Mental Encyclopedia that was discussed in an earlier session is glaringly demonstrated. We understand the importance of considering the uniqueness of an author, when searching the meaning of a word, because each author has a mental build up of words and concepts that make their writing style unique.

In another facet, this session revisits the semantic range and semantic focus of words. The word “righteousness” was particularly highlighted.

For example, in Matthew 5:6, righteousness can be seen as something that one can hunger and thirst for, until they get satisfied.

Matthew 5:10 reveals that righteousness is something one can do, which they can get hated for, and even attacked for doing it.

In Matthew 5:20, we discover that righteousness is in measures, and that one person’s degree of righteousness can be much more than another’s, and that until one attains a certain level of righteousness, they will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Also, we’re expose to this semantic nuance of the word ‘righteousness’ in Matthew 6:1. Here, we understand that righteousness is something sacred, which must be guarded and done in secret, and not publicly, for it to be worthy of being rewarded.

Finally, in Matthew 6:33, righteousness can be likened to a goal or a treasure, which is worthy of being aimed at, or striven for.

The above examples and host of others, come together to actually crown this course with its name, ‘The Wonderful World of Words’.