The high taxes on cigarettes has been dubbed by some as a “sin tax.” If sin is popularly defined as doing something wrong, the sin tax becomes part of the cost for wrongdoing. Depending on how much sin is involved, the tax could be large!
Syntax, on the other hand, comes from the preposition meaning together with (σύν) attached to a noun meaning arrangement (τάξις) giving the combined meaning of arranged together with. Grammatically syntax is defined as the relationship between a word and its immediate context.
Syntax and “sin tax” sound the same and they should have no connection with one another. But, alas, when syntax evaluation in the texts of the New and Old Testaments is not done or is done wrongly, an informational tax is levied. A possible misunderstanding of the text of the Bible without the interpreter's awareness is always too high!
Avoidance of the exegetical “sin tax” must begin with a philosophical conviction. The interpreter must know how every aspect in and not in the text relates to its context. Syntactical analysis of all textual data cannot be ignored. It has been fashionable in recent years to limit syntax evaluation to “significant” terms. Logically, however, determining significance cannot be done apart from an intentional focus on every feature in and not in the text.
Often “significant” data necessary for
interpretation are precisely those overlooked in a “significance-oriented” exegetical
process. Data exists in conjunctives, definite articles, particles reflecting
the author’s emotional state, word order, literary figures of speech too many
to enumerate here, sound patterns of the Hebrew or Greek texts. All of these
and more exist to inform the exegete’s interpretations. To amplify one of the above
points, often what is not in the text may represent positive data. The
definite article in English translations of the Bible add what is not there or
omit what is there due to the differences between English and other languages. Determining
“significance” in this and other interpretation patterns gaining traction today
borders on exegetical incompetence. Competent exegesis is exhaustive,
painstaking work, but accurately knowing and proclaiming the word of God whether
in preaching, teaching, or writings, is worthwhile work! σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας (2 Timothy 2:15).
