The Importance of Finding What’s Missing
by Candice M. Coleman, Ph.D.
In a previous article, “My Time is Your Time,” we talked about the Analytical Reading pattern called Common Denominator.
As you remember, a Common Denominator construction (CD) has at least four parts – two ideas in common and a pair of contrasts or distinctions. Two prime examples of this are found in Isaiah 55:8 my:
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
You’ll notice when you read this verse out loud, it would sound forced and unnatural to read it any way other than to subdue what’s in common (”thoughts” and “ways”) and stress the contrasts (“my/your” and your/my”).
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Some of you may be thinking that the contrasts are the same words in the second clause. Yes, they are, but don’t they have a new relationship to one another? Aren’t their positions reversed? Lamar discusses this in Giving the Sense: How to Read Aloud With Meaning (p. 133). It’s like saying, “I helped him, and he helped me.”
Sometimes, one part of the CD construction, one statement of the common denominator, might be missing completely, although still implied. We call this a Three-quarter Common Denominator (3/4 CD) construction. For example, II Cor. 5:7 states:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Do you see the contrast? Of course, you do! It’s obvious. But, this is a bit more than a simple contrast. In the last phrase isn’t an idea implied although not directly stated? What is it that we don’t do “by sight”? We don’t “walk,” do we?
(For we walk by faith, [we do] not [walk] by sight:)
This is an simple example of a 3/4 CD construction. We have the contrast (“faith” and “sight”) and we have a common element “we walk” (stated and implied). To read this conversationally, you’d stress the contrasts and subdue “we walk” just as we do with a full CD construction.
Another example which you probably would read as a 3/4 CD construction is Psalms 100:3 it:
it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves;
What are the contrasting ideas? “He” and “we ourselves,” right? (Conversationally, most of the emphasis will fall on “ourselves” rather than “we.”) What’s the CD statement? Could it be “that hath made us”? If so, where is it implied in the verse? How about this?
it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves [that hath made us];
Is this becoming clearer?
Here’s a more complicated example. Remember, a Common Denominator construction (full or 3/4) has at least four parts stated or implied. Sometimes there are more.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (II Cor. 4:17)
To begin our analysis, let’s find the contrasts. There are 3 pairs. Let’s start with the one that’s often easiest for most people to see. “Moment” is in contrast with ________? (A “moment” refers to a brief period of time.) Do we have another idea that refers to time? How about “eternal” (seeming to last forever)? Thus, our first contrast is between “moment” and “eternal.” (You might want to underline them now to help keep you on track.)
Next, let’s look at “affliction” (something that causes suffering). What might be its contrast? What is defined as “something that brings acclaim or honor”? Could it be “glory”? Therefore, we’d also underline both of those contrasting ideas to remember to stress them.
Finally, wouldn’t “light” (having little weight) be in contrast with a heavier or “exceeding” weight? Isn’t that another pair of contrasts? You might underline those as well.
So, we have 3 pairs of contrasts, but here’s the “kicker.” To be a CD construction, there must also be a common element – a CD Statement. In this case, it’s only stated once, but has been implied earlier in the verse. What is it? (Da, da, da, da – theme from Jeopardy.) What about “weight of.”
For our light [weight of] affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
I have to admit, I struggled with the meaning of this verse when I first read it aloud in a church service. In one of our coaching sessions, Nedra Lamar taught it to me in a way similar to what we just did. Suddenly, it became absolutely clear.
Isn’t that what we want when we read any sacred text aloud – to gain a greater understanding ourselves and then be able to share it with our listeners? It’s a blessing for all.
If you want to read more about Common Denominator and its various forms, go to Giving the Sense: How to Read Aloud With Meaning, (pp. 51, 139-160). Or call one of our Authorized Affiliates. We’re always glad to help.
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