“I’m sorry I love you.”

“I’m sorry; I love you.”

Same words, but depending upon the phrasing, completely different meanings. Phrasing can mean the difference between a good speaker, writer, or singer and a great one. For decades, laypeople and critics alike have lauded the phrasing skills of Frank Sinatra. When he sings a song, the slight pauses and inflection, the nuances and accents, completely transform an ordinary song into another classic Sinatra recording. Don’t believe me? Take any Frank Sinatra ballad and do the following. Simply try to say the words with the same phrasing that he does in the song, taking the same breaths. Not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for a suitable recording, the following is a rare Sinatra recording that was originally recorded in 1958 but not released on an album until 1978.

“I Couldn’t Care Less” Frank Sinatra – YouTube

If you are like me, it was very difficult. Of course it was! It is what makes Frank Sinatra the legend that he is. We can all read the same written words but to phrase and express it with feeling is unique and individualized. Thankfully, we can notate the words with punctuations and place symbols that will cue us to take a breath. Without these, it may be very difficult. 

The consequences of leaving out punctuation or incorrectly phrasing a song may lead to raised eyebrows from those reading or listening but probably nothing more serious. Let’s raise the stakes. What if we had to read the Bible and the translation had no punctuation? Interestingly, the original manuscripts of the Old Testament in Hebrew and New Testament in Greek lacked punctuation. Translators decided upon the proper punctuation, based upon the language of the original Bible translations and the language for each Bible translation.

This is why it is important to read several English translations to understand the various nuances that may arise from placement of the punctuation and ordering of the words. Every language has its own punctuation and to properly interpret it, one must utilize the grammatical rules of each language. Rendering a verse in Japanese or Hindi without understanding the original meaning of the phrase may potentially give an erroneous interpretation, much like the examples given above.

When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 

Acts 2:6-11 (NLT)

Someday, when all believers are in Heaven, we will hear, speak, and read God’s Word in the pure language that He intended for all of us to speak. It may be the language with which we spoke during our time on Earth or a completely different spiritual language, yet to be uttered. Whatever the language, we can be confident that there will be no nuances of translation, no lapses of punctuation, and no misinterpretations of phrasing. Like the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost, all believers will be able to perfectly speak and understand God’s Word as He intended it. God’s Word is infallible and inerrant because the One who created it is!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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