Comprehending Long Sentences in the KJV, without Relying on External Tools/Notes

[Guido]

When reading a piece of writing with sentences about 25 words long or less, people tend to have little trouble with comprehension. But when reading a piece of writing, with sentences that go on for many more words, having many subordinate elements, I start to have trouble understanding the text, unable to hold the content of the whole sentence in mind at once, and failing to keep in mind the developing context as I read through the sentence, so that, as I progress toward its end, my memory of the greater part of the preceding elements vanish.

My question is this: Without using modern translations, without using commentaries, and without relying on preaching, how do I comprehend a whole long sentence in the Bible, as one unit of interconnected thoughts? Also, are some of the long sentences in the Bible irreducible, or can they all be broken up into smaller sentences? How do you understand its long sentences? Do you break up the sentences? Do I have some disability when it comes to comprehension, unable to understand whole paragraphs of many short sentences, not having a good working memory?

Thank you for answering.​

 

[Ben1445]

When reading a piece of writing with sentences about 25 words long or less, people tend to have little trouble with comprehension. But when reading a piece of writing, with sentences that go on for many more words, having many subordinate elements, I start to have trouble understanding the text, unable to hold the content of the whole sentence in mind at once, and failing to keep in mind the developing context as I read through the sentence, so that, as I progress toward its end, my memory of the greater part of the preceding elements vanish.

My question is this: Without using modern translations, without using commentaries, and without relying on preaching, how do I comprehend a whole long sentence in the Bible, as one unit of interconnected thoughts? Also, are some of the long sentences in the Bible irreducible, or can they all be broken up into smaller sentences? How do you understand its long sentences? Do you break up the sentences? Do I have some disability when it comes to comprehension, unable to understand whole paragraphs of many short sentences, not having a good working memory?

Thank you for answering.​

I might get some hate mail for this but diagramming sentences helps with understanding relationships between words in a sentence.

 

[Guido]

I might get some hate mail for this but diagramming sentences helps with understanding relationships between words in a sentence.

Diagramming sentences might help. But I think my problem is that I don't have a large enough working memory.

 

[Ben1445]

Diagramming sentences might help. But I think my problem is that I don't have a large enough working memory.

The purpose of diagramming would be to help make the connections as you read. It would help with bridging the gaps as the materials arrive rather than waiting until they are all delivered and then trying to figure out how it goes together.
If the material can be processed as it is taken in, it helps with retention

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Have you ever read some of Jonathan Edwards's writings? I would say that the man was the master of run-on sentences!

 

[Martin Marprelate]

When reading a piece of writing with sentences about 25 words long or less, people tend to have little trouble with comprehension. But when reading a piece of writing, with sentences that go on for many more words, having many subordinate elements, I start to have trouble understanding the text, unable to hold the content of the whole sentence in mind at once, and failing to keep in mind the developing context as I read through the sentence, so that, as I progress toward its end, my memory of the greater part of the preceding elements vanish.

My question is this: Without using modern translations, without using commentaries, and without relying on preaching, how do I comprehend a whole long sentence in the Bible, as one unit of interconnected thoughts? Also, are some of the long sentences in the Bible irreducible, or can they all be broken up into smaller sentences? How do you understand its long sentences? Do you break up the sentences? Do I have some disability when it comes to comprehension, unable to understand whole paragraphs of many short sentences, not having a good working memory?

Thank you for answering.​

I don't think you should be reluctant to look for help.
Acts 8:30-31. "Do you understand what you are reading?" "How can I, unless someone guides me?"
Proverbs 11:14. 'Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.'
Ephesians 4:11-12. 'And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.'
I can't answer your questions generally, but if you will give me a particular example I might be able to help you.

 

[JD731]

When reading a piece of writing with sentences about 25 words long or less, people tend to have little trouble with comprehension. But when reading a piece of writing, with sentences that go on for many more words, having many subordinate elements, I start to have trouble understanding the text, unable to hold the content of the whole sentence in mind at once, and failing to keep in mind the developing context as I read through the sentence, so that, as I progress toward its end, my memory of the greater part of the preceding elements vanish.

My question is this: Without using modern translations, without using commentaries, and without relying on preaching, how do I comprehend a whole long sentence in the Bible, as one unit of interconnected thoughts? Also, are some of the long sentences in the Bible irreducible, or can they all be broken up into smaller sentences? How do you understand its long sentences? Do you break up the sentences? Do I have some disability when it comes to comprehension, unable to understand whole paragraphs of many short sentences, not having a good working memory?

Thank you for answering.​

I think the longest sentence in the Bible might be the first sentence in the epistles, Rom 1. It is 7 verses long. The first clause in the sentence might be the theme for all the letters of the great apostle Paul. It reads like this; "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God," Ro 1:1

There is much doctrinal material in that long sentence so you must commit yourself to faithful study with the end toward believing the words whether you understand them at present or not. Familiarity. Very important.

Here is the formula for understanding God, or at least one of them..
John 7:16-17 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his (the Father's) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

 

[Marooncat79]

Get a sheet of paper

On the top right of the page, write the subject out- yes long hand

Then under it on the left hand side start writing out the phrases after the subject

Jmo