English syntax 'for by' in Bible

Question

In Romans 12:3 (New International Version), Paul said:

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought......

I'm confused about the syntax of 'for by the grace'.
I think 'for* the grace' or '*by the grace' is correct in syntax.
What's the syntax structure of this sentence?

Thank you so much.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Shengwei AnI'm confused about the syntax of 'for by the grace'.

for = because

Does that help?

CJ

Shengwei An · Answer

Thank you for your reply.

But I cannot quite understand your answer.

CalifJim Shengwei AnI'm confused about the syntax of 'for by the grace'.for = becauseDoes that help?CJ

I know that for = because, but this does not make the syntax correct.
As we replace "for" with "because", the sentence becomes:

Because by the grace given me I say to every one of you.

But I think the syntax is still incorrect.

"by the grace given me" is something like an adverb instead of a sentence,
so we cannot say "because 'an adverb', I do something".

Therefore, if we want to use "because", we should say "because of the grace given me I say to ..."
or "because *** gives me the grace, I say to ..."

Fivejedjon · Answer

The phrase 'by the grace given me' could be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas or brackets. The 'for' goes with 'I can say ... ' The sentence is effectively:

Because (by/through/thanks to the grace given me), I can say ...

Shengwei An · Answer

Thank you for your reply.

I think I got it.
That sentence means "Because I say to you ...."
At first, I regarded the 'for by' as a group, as in my opinion, I often say "because I like it, I do it", and not usually say "because I like it".

Thank both of you so much for your help. @CalifJim @fivejedjon

CalifJim · Answer

Shengwei AnThank you for your reply.I think I got it.That sentence means "Because I say to you ...."At first, I regarded the 'for by' as a group, as in my opinion, I often say "because I like it, I do it", and not usually say "because I like it".Thank both of you so much for your help. @CalifJim @fivejedjon

The initial "for" which means "because" is there to explain the sentence which came before this one — a sentence which was not shown.

She was trembling. For/Because she was afraid.

This would not be done in modern English. Biblical language is a little different.

CJ

Shengwei An · Answer

Thank you so much for your reply.
I got it now. There are some uncommon syntax in the Bible.

I have a question beyond this thread.
I see that each your reply ends with "CJ".
Would you mind to tell me what "CJ" stands for?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Shengwei AnWould you mind to tell me what "CJ" stands for?

'CalifJim', or when full blown, 'California Jim'.

Shengwei An · Answer

Thank you so much.

Oh, I asked such a naive question.

English syntax 'for by' in Bible

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