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Style Rules
By J.D. Myers | January 22, 2009
As you submit your own posts in the comment section of the forums, please try to use the following style rules. They will help keep us consistent in how we reference the biblical text, abbreviate books of the Bible, capitalize certain words, etc.
Style Rules for:
I. General Information
A. The NKJV will be the translation used in this commentary.
B. The commentary will be written in paragraph form with verse divisions noted at the beginning of each paragraph as follows: 1:4. If more than one verse is being commented on in the paragraph, the verse division should look like this: 1:4-6. The verse division notations should be in bold, with one space between the ending punctuation and the beginning of the commentary text.
C. Bibliographic references should follow the guidelines in the Bibliography post.
II. General Style
A. Use of Bold and Italics
1. When you insert the actual wording of the verse as it appears in Scripture, use bold for the first occurrence only. Thereafter, it should be normal text.
2. When quoting Scripture (other than the passage under discussion), enclose in quotations, and do not bold.
3. When a special word is being clarified or further defined, emphasize it with italics, not quotation marks.
4. If the word or phrase being clarified is the first occurrence of the word in the verse being commented on, use bold.
B. Punctuation
1. When separating biblical references in lists, use semi-colons: (Rom 5:8; Eph 4:9; Rev 1:2-5).
2. When consecutive verses within a reference are given, use a hyphen: (Rom 10:9-10; Eph 2:8-9; Rev 20:21-22).
3. Use of ellipses indicating omission of material will be designated by (…) not (….).
C. Biblical References
1. Abbreviate when in parenthesis. Do not abbreviate when part of the sentance:
Probably the greatest essay on love ever penned is found in the Bible (1 Cor 13:1-13).
First Corinthians 13 is a beautiful poem on love.
2. Use the following Bible abbreviations:
Genesis Gen
Exodus Exod
Leviticus Lev
Numbers Num
Deuteronomy Deut
Joshua Josh
Judges Judg
Ruth Ruth
1-2 Samuel 1-2 Sam
1-2 Kings 1-2 Kings
1-2 Chronicles 1-2 Chr
Ezra Ezra
Nehemiah Neh
Esther Esth
Job Job
Psalm(s) Psa(s)
Proverbs Prov
Ecclesiastes Eccl
Song of Solomon Song
Isaiah Isa
Jeremiah Jer
Lamentations Lam
Ezekiel Ezek
Daniel Dan
Hosea Hos
Joel Joel
Amos Amos
Obadiah Obad
Jonah Jonah
Micah Mic
Nahum Nah
Habakkuk Hab
Zephaniah Zeph
Haggai Hag
Zechariah Zech
Malachi Mal
Matthew Matt
Mark Mark
Luke Luke
John John
Acts Acts
Romans Rom
1-2 Corinthians 1-2 Cor
Galatians Gal
Ephesians Eph
Philippians Php
Colossians Col
1-2 Thessalonians 1-2 Thess
1-2 Timothy 1-2 Tim
Titus Titus
Philemon Phlm
Hebrews Heb
James Jas
1-2 Peter 1-2 Pet
1-3 John 1-3 John
Jude Jude
Revelation Rev
Do not abbreviate Apocryphal books such as 1 Esdras or Song of the Three Children. Do not abbreviate Pseudepigraphical books such as the Psalms of Solomon, or Early Patristic books such as Ignatius, Letter to the Philippians.
D. General Abbreviations
The following common abbreviations may be used (do not italicize):
OT (Old Testament)
NT (New Testament)
LXX (Septuagint)
MT (Majority Text)
QL (Qumran Literature)
Vg (Vulgate)
VL (Vetus Latina)
OL (Old Latin)
OG (Old Greek)
MM (J. H. Moulton and G. Milligan)
LSJM (Liddell, Scott, Jones, and McKenzie)
BDAG or BAGD
NU (Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament of the United Bible Society)
DSS (Dead Sea Scrolls)
Gk. or Heb. use for “Greek” or “Hebrew” within a parenthetical expression, otherwise write out
e.g., (exempli gratia “for example”)
i.e., (id est “that is”),
viz., (vide licet “that is” or “namely” introduces examples or lists)
ibid., (ididem “at” or “in the same place”)
cf. compare
c. circa
chap(s). chapter(s)
col(s). column(s)
ep(s). epistle(s)
et al. (et alia, and others)
frg(s). fragment(s)
n(n). note(s)
p(p). page(s)
v. verse
vv. verses
f(f). following page(s)
lit., literally
E. Dating Rules. For both BC and AD, do not use periods, and the number comes before the letters: (100 BC-100 AD)
F. Page Numbers.
1. To denote two or more consecutive page numbers, use hyphens, not commas: (pp. 9-10. NOT pp. 9, 10).
2. For citing page numbers over 100, retain the “hundreds” digit (pp. 101-109. NOT: pp. 101-09).
III. Capitalization Guide
A
Abrahamic covenant
Abraham’s Bosom
Abyss, the
Adonai
Advent, the
Advocate, the
Allah
Almighty, the
almighty God, the
Alpha and Omega (Christ)
amillennarian
amillennial (ism)
angel (cap if theophany)
angel of the Lord (cap if theophany)
Anointed, the
ante-Christian
ante-Nicene fathers
Antichrist, the
anti-Christian
anti-Semitism
anti-Trinitaria
Apocalypse, the (the Revelation of John)
Apocrypha, the
Apostle Peter
Apostle to the Gentiles (Paul)
apostles
Apostles’ Creed
apostolic age
apostolic benediction (2 Cor 13)
apostolic council (Acts 15)
apostolic faith
archangel
ark, the (Noah’s)
ark of the testimony
ark of the covenant
Ascension, the
Athanasian Creed
Atonement, the
B
Babe (Baby) in the manger, the
Baby Jesus, the (adjectival)
Babylonian captivity (Jews)
baptism
Battle of Armageddon, the (final battle)
Beast, the (Antichrist)
Beatitudes, the
Betrayal, the
Bible school
biblical
blessed name (Christ)
Body of Christ (the Church)
book of life
Book of ______ (Bible Book, e.g., Acts)
burnt offering
C
Calvary
Canon, the (Scripture)
canon of Scripture, the
captivity, the (of the Jews)
catholic (universal)
Catholic Church (Roman Catholic)
Catholic Epistles (James et al.)
Catholicism
celestial city (abode of the redeemed)
charismatic, a
charismatic church (adjectival)
cherub, cherubim
chief priest
Chief Shepherd (Christ)
child Jesus
children of Israel
chosen people
Christ
Christ child
Christian
Christian Era
Christianlike –ize, –ization
Christlike
christology, -ical
Church (Body of Christ)
church (local, or a building)
church (service)
church age
church fathers (the Fathers)
City of David (Jerusalem, Bethlehem)
Comforter, the (Holy Spirit)
commandment (first, etc.)
covenant, the
covenant of grace, of works
Creation, the
Creator, the
Cross, the (event, not wooden object)
crown
Crucifixion, the
crucifixion of Christ
Curse, the (consequent to the Fall)
D
Daniel’s Seventieth Week, the
Davidic covenant
Day, the (standing alone, for the day of the Lord)
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
Day of Judgment
Day of Pentecost
Day of the Lord
Dead Sea Scrolls
Decalogue
deism
Deity, the
deity of Christ
Deluge, the
devil, a
Devil, the (Satan)
Diaspora
disciples
dispensation –alism
dispensation of the Law
Dispersion, the
divine
Divinity, the (God)
Door, the (Christ)
Dragon, the (Satan)
E
early church
east (as a direction. alt. Middle East).
Eastern Church (if denomination)
Ecumenism, –ical
El (name of God)
Eleven, the
end times, the
Enemy, the (Satan)
epistle (John’s epistle, etc.)
Epistle to the Romans
Epistles, the (NT apostolic letters)
Eschatology, –ical
Eternal, the (God)
Eternal City (Rome)
eternal God, the
eternal life
eternity
Evangel (any of the four gospels)
Evangelicals, –ism
evil one, the (Satan)
Exile, the (Babylonian captivity of the Jews)
Exodus, the (from Egypt)
F
faith, the (Christianity)
faith-healing
Fall, the
fall of man
False Prophet (of Revelation)
Father, the
fatherhood of God
Fathers, the (church fathers)
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of the Dedication
Feast of the Passover
Feast of Unleavened Bread
first Adam
First Advent
firstborn (if not Christ)
Firstborn, the (Christ)
First Cause, the
Flood, the
Fourth Gospel, the
Fundamentalists, –ism
fundamentals of the faith
G
Galilean, the (Christ)
Garden of Eden
Gehenna
General Epistles (NT division)
Gentile, a (distinguished from Jew)
Gentile laws
Gethsemane, Garden of
gnostic (generic)
Gnosticism
God
God Almighty
God is spirit
Godhead (essential being of God)
godhead (godhood of godship)
godless
Godlike
godly
God-man
Godsend
God’s house
Godspeed
God’s Word
Godward
golden candlesticks, the
Golden Rule, the
Good News, the (Gospel)
Good Samaritan
Good Shepherd
gospel, the (message, good news)
Gospel (the Gospel of John)
Gospels, the
Great Commandment, the
Great Commission, the
Great High Priest, the
Great Judgment, the
Great Physician, the
Great Shepherd, the
Great Tribulation, the
Great White Throne, the
Guide, the (Holy Spirit)
H
Hades (hell)
Hagiographa
Head, the (Christ, head of the church)
heaven (abode of the redeemed)
heavenly Father
He, Him, His (God, Christ, Holy Spirit)
hell
Herod’s temple
High Church (Anglican)
High Priest, the (Christ)
high priest, a
High Priestly Prayer, the
Holy Bible
Holy City
holy family
Holy Ghost (use Holy Spirit)
Holy Land (Palestine)
Holy of Holies (prefer “Most Holy Place” for NKJV)
Holy One, the
Holy Place (the outer chamber in the tabernacle/temple)
Holy Scriptures
Holy Trinity
Holy Writ
house of the Lord
I
Immanuel
Incarnation, the
Incarnation of Christ
intertestamental
invisible church
J
Jacob’s Trouble (the Tribulation)
Jehovah
Jordan River (but, the river Jordan)
Judaic
Judaism, –ist, –istic
Judaize(r)
Judean
Judges, the
Judgment Day
Judgment Seat of Christ
K
kingdom, the
kingdom age
kingdom of God
kingdom of heaven
King James Version (Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible, etc..)
King of Glory (Christ)
King, the (Christ)
kingship of Christ
L
lake of fire
Lamb of God (Christ)
Lamb’s Book of Life
land of Canaan
Land of Promise
Last Day, the
last days, the
Last Judgment, the
Last Supper
last times, the
law (as opposed to grace)
Law, the (OT division)
Law of Moses
Liberal, –ism
Light of the World (Christ)
living God
living Word (Bible)
Logos, the
Lord of Hosts
Lord of Lords
Lord’s Anointed, the (Christ)
Lord’s Day, the
lordship of Christ
Lord’s Prayer, the
Lord’s Supper, the
Lord’s Table, the
love chapter, the
Low Church (Anglican)
M
Magi
Man, the (Jesus)
Man of Sin, the (Antichrist)
Man of Sorrows, the
marriage supper
Masoretic
Mediator, the (Christ)
mercy seat
Messiah, the (Christ)
messiahship
messianic
midtribulation(al)
millennial kingdom
Millennium, the
minor prophets (people)
Minor Prophets (OT division)
Mishnah
Modernists, -ism
Mosaic Law
Most High, the
Mount of Transfiguration, the
Muhammed (preferred)
Muslim (preferred)
N
name of Christ, the
Nativity, the
neoorthodoxy
Neo-Pentecostalism
New Birth
New Covenant (NT)
new heaven and new earth
New Testament church
Nicene Creed
Nicene fathers
Noachian (pretaining to Noah)
non-Christian
north (as a direction. alt. King of the
North)
Northern Kingdom (Israel)
O
Omnipotent, the
Only Begotten, the
only begotten of the Father
only begotten Son of God
orthodoxy
P
Palestinian covenant
Palm Sunday
papacy
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Parable of the Unworthy Servant
Paraclete, the
paradise (heaven)
Paradise (Garden of Eden)
Parousia
partial Rapture
Passover
Pastoral Epistles
patriarch (Abraham)
Pauline Epistles
Pentateuch
Pentecost
Pentecostal, –ism
person of Christ
Persons of the Trinity, the three
Pharaoh, the
pharisaic (attitude)
Pharisaic (in reference to Pharisees)
Pharisee
pillar of cloud
pillar of fire
pope, the
postbiblical
post-Christian
postmillenarian
postmillennial, –ism
post-Nicene fathers
premillenarian
premillennial, –ism
pretribulation, –al
priesthood of believers
priesthood of Christ
Prince of Peace (Christ)
Prison Epistles
Prodigal Son, the
Promised Land (Canaan or heaven)
Promised One, the (Christ)
Prophet Isaiah, the (et al.)
prophets, the (people)
Prophets, the (books of OT)
Protestant, –ism
Providence (God)
providence of God
providential
psalm, a
psalmist, the
Psalter, the (the Psalms)
pseudepigrapha
R
rabbi, rabbinical
Rapture, the
Redeemer, the
Reformation
Reformed theology
Reformers
Renaissance
Resurrection, the
resurrection of Christ
Rock, the (Christ)
S
Sabbath (day)
sabbatical year
Sadducee
Satan
satanic
Satanism
Savior
scribe
scriptural
Scripture(s) (Bible)
Sea of Galilee
Second Adam (Christ)
Second Advent, the
Second Coming, the
Second Coming of Christ
Second Person of the Trinity
Septuagint (LXX)
Seraph, –im
Sermon on the Mount
Serpent, the (Satan)
Seventieth Week (of Daniel)
shekinah
Shepherd Psalm, the
Sin-Bearer, the
Solomon’s temple
Son of God
Son of Man
sonship of Christ
south (as a direction. alt. Queen of the
South)
Southern Kingdom (Judah)
sovereign Lord
Sunday school
Son of Righteousness
Supreme Being, the
synagogue
Synoptic Gospels
Synoptics, the
T
tabernacle, the (OT building)
table of showbread
Talmud
temple, the (at Jerusalem)
Ten Commandments (but “the second commandment”)
Ten Tribes, the
ten tribes of Israel, the
Testaments, the
Third Person of the Trinity
throne of grace
Time of Jacob’s Trouble
time of the Judges, the
Time of the Gentiles, the
tomb, the
Torah
Tower of Babel
Transfiguration, the
Tree of Life (in Garden of Eden)
tribe of Judah
Tribulation, the (historical event)
Trinitarian
Trinity, the
triune God
Twelve, the
twelve apostles, the
Twenty-third psalm
U
unchristian
universal church
unscriptural
Upper Room, the
Upper Room Discourse
V
Vine, the (Christ)
Virgin Birth, the
Virgin Mary
W
Water of Life (Christ)
Way, the (Christ)
Way, the Truth and the Life
west (as a direction)
Western Church, the
wicked one, the (Satan)
Wisdom Literature, the
wise men, the
Word, the (Bible or Christ)
Word made flesh (Christ)
Word of God (Bible or Christ)
Word of Life
Word of Truth, the
Writings, the (OT division)
Y
Yahweh
Year of Jubilee
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