Hermeneutic Principles

The Scriptural Concordance Citation Style (SCCS) is built upon a grammatical–historical, canonical, Spirit-dependent hermeneutic. This approach begins with prayerful submission to the Author of Scripture and illumination by the Holy Ghost (King James Bible, 1 Cor. 2:13), affirming plenary, verbal inspiration and the sufficiency of Scripture for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (King James Bible, 2 Tim. 3:16–17).

The Scriptures are to be read in their plain sense—the normal meaning of words, grammar, and literary form—recognizing figures of speech when context requires and allowing genre to guide expectations (history, poetry, prophecy, epistle). Interpretation honors three concentric contexts: immediate (sentence and paragraph), book-level (argument, audience, historical setting), and whole-canon. Scripture must interpret Scripture so that clear passages illuminate the obscure, and doctrinal weight rests most heavily on explicit teaching (King James Bible, Acts 17:11). Themes are traced through cross-references (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge), and key terms are clarified through Strong’s numbers, allowing the interpreter to observe the usage and semantic range of words across the biblical text.

At the heart of this hermeneutic lies the conviction that God desires His Word to be understood. The Bible is not locked behind cultural codes, academic theories, or hidden languages; rather, the Spirit Himself guides believers into truth through the text (King James Bible, John 16:13). External tools such as lexicons, concordances, and historical studies may add richness and depth, but they are not required for understanding. God does not place barriers in the way of His children; He has given a Word that is sufficient, self-interpreting, and accessible to all who seek Him in faith.

Therefore, the analogy of faith remains central: no interpretation may contradict the full counsel of Scripture. Christ is confessed as the unifying center of God’s revelation (King James Bible, Luke 24:27), and the plain reading of the Bible—illumined by the Spirit—is available to every believer. This hermeneutic ensures that SCCS rests not on human speculation but on God’s design for His Word: clear, trustworthy, and transformative.

The Scriptural Concordance Citation Style (SCCS)

Introduction

The Scriptural Concordance Citation Style (SCCS) is a Bible-first citation method that anchors any quote or commentary to Scripture, strengthens it with cross-references (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge), and grounds its meaning in the original language (Strong’s Concordance).

SCCS is designed to make interpretation transparent: every claim is tied to an anchor verse, confirmed by related passages, and clarified by word study. To serve both novice and advanced readers, SCCS includes a Prime Citation Method (basic form), an Addendum (multi-part application for complex quotes), and an Advanced Specificity Layer (optional fields for deeper interpretation).

1. Prime SCCS Citation Method

Core pattern (one line, after the main quote or statement):

Field-by-field anatomy

• Book/Chapter/Verse(s): The anchor passage (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:16–17).
• VER: The Bible version (e.g., KJV).
• CR: Cross references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
• STRONG: One or more study words tied to Strong’s numbers (Greek = G####, Hebrew = H####).

Example

Quote:
“Holy Scripture did not originate in human imagination; it is God-breathed and therefore profitable to shape what believers accept and how they live.”

SCCS line:
~ 2 Timothy 3:16–17, VER: KJV, CR: 2 Samuel 23:2; Matthew 22:31–32; John 10:35; Acts 28:25; 2 Peter 1:19–21, STRONG: “inspiration” (G2315)

2. Addendum: Multi-Part Application

When a single quote contains multiple theological truths, doctrines, or keywords, SCCS may be applied section by section. Each clause or phrase is paired with its own SCCS entry.

Rules

1. Identify distinct truths (e.g., wrath, atonement, adoption).
2. Divide the quote into subsections.
3. Present the full quote first, then the breakdown with citations.
4. Anchor each truth independently.
5. Use consistent formatting (new line for each entry).

Example (multi-part demonstration)

Quote:
“The fact that we need a savior is paramount. We are under God’s wrath for everything that has been done in this world. Christ died, paying the price for the sins of the whole world, which includes every person. All that remains is to believe in Him, and the believer will be considered a child of God through the elder brother, Jesus Christ. Once faith is placed in Him, a person becomes a new creature, a new creation, having the mind of Christ, with the Holy Spirit indwelling, and the fruits of the Spirit strengthening against sin.”

Section-by-section SCCS citations:

1. Human sin and the need for a Savior / God’s wrath
   ~ Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23, VER: KJV, CR: John 3:18; Ephesians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, STRONG: “wrath” (G3709), “sin” (G266)
2. Christ’s atoning death for the world
   ~ 1 John 2:2, VER: KJV, CR: John 1:29; Romans 5:6–8; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 2:9, STRONG: “propitiation” (G2434), “world” (G2889)
3. Belief and adoption as children of God
   ~ John 1:12, VER: KJV, CR: John 3:16; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:14–17, STRONG: “believe” (G4100), “children” (G5043)
4. Becoming a new creation
   ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17, VER: KJV, CR: Ezekiel 36:26; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10, STRONG: “new” (G2537), “creature/creation” (G2937)
5. Having the mind of Christ
   ~ 1 Corinthians 2:16, VER: KJV, CR: Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10, STRONG: “mind” (G3563), “Christ” (G5547)
6. The Holy Spirit indwelling
   ~ Romans 8:9–11, VER: KJV, CR: John 14:16–17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 4:6, STRONG: “Spirit” (G4151), “dwell” (G3611)
7. The fruit of the Spirit and power against sin
   ~ Galatians 5:22–23, VER: KJV, CR: John 15:5; Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:9, STRONG: “fruit” (G2590), “Spirit” (G4151)

3. Advanced Specificity Layer

To add interpretive depth, SCCS may include optional fields. These fields help readers understand not only what the verse says, but how interpretation is drawn from it.

Additional Fields

• TOP (Topical Label): Identifies the doctrinal theme.
• LEX (Lexical Note): Gives nuance from lexicons.
• GRAM (Grammatical Insight): Notes tense, mood, or structure that shapes meaning.
• HIS (Historical Context): Adds cultural or historical background in one line.
• PAR (Parallel Passage): Points to direct parallels (especially in the Gospels).

Example with Advanced Specificity

Quote:
“Salvation rests on God’s grace received by faith—not earned by works—so that all boasting belongs to the Lord alone.”

Citation with Advanced Specificity:
~ Ephesians 2:8–9, VER: KJV, TOP: Salvation, CR: Romans 3:24; Romans 4:4–5; Galatians 2:16; Titus 3:5–7; 2 Timothy 1:9, STRONG: “grace” (G5485), “faith” (G4102), LEX: grace = “favor freely given, unearned,” GRAM: perfect passive – “you have been saved and remain saved,” HIS: “Gentile believers struggled with Jewish law vs. grace,” PAR: Romans 5:1–2

4. SCCS Legend

To ensure clarity, the following abbreviations are used throughout SCCS:

• VER = Bible Version (e.g., KJV, NKJV, ESV)
• CR = Cross References (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge)
• STRONG = Strong’s Concordance number(s) with English keyword(s)
• TOP = Doctrinal Topic (e.g., Salvation, Adoption, Justification)
• LEX = Lexical Note (brief gloss from Greek/Hebrew lexicons)
• GRAM = Grammatical Insight (tense, mood, case, voice)
• HIS = Historical Context (background note)
• PAR = Parallel Passage (direct parallels in Scripture)

Conclusion

The Scriptural Concordance Citation Style (SCCS) is a layered, Bible-centric system for writing, study, and teaching. It begins with a prime format (anchor verse, version, cross references, Strong’s), expands through an addendum for multi-part quotes, and offers an advanced specificity layer for interpretive clarity.

The result is a method that is transparent, testable, and text-driven—anchoring every doctrinal claim in the Word of God, harmonized by cross references, and clarified by original languages (King James Bible, Acts 17:11).

Rebuilt Examples in SCCS (Full Demonstration)

Example 1 — Inspiration (single study word)

Quote:
“Holy Scripture did not originate in human imagination; it is God-breathed and therefore profitable to shape what believers accept and how they live.”

SCCS Citation (with Advanced Specificity):
~ 2 Timothy 3:16–17, VER: KJV, TOP: Inspiration of Scripture, CR: 2 Samuel 23:2; Matthew 22:31–32; John 10:35; Acts 28:25; 2 Peter 1:19–21, STRONG: “inspiration” (G2315), LEX: “God-breathed; divine origin,” GRAM: present passive participle – “being continually given by God,” HIS: “Paul instructs Timothy on the sufficiency of Scripture for ministry,” PAR: 2 Peter 1:20–21

Example 2 — Salvation by grace through faith (two study words)

Quote:
“Salvation rests on God’s grace received by faith—not earned by works—so that all boasting belongs to the Lord alone.”

SCCS Citation (with Advanced Specificity):
~ Ephesians 2:8–9, VER: KJV, TOP: Salvation by Grace, CR: Romans 3:24; Romans 4:4–5; Galatians 2:16; Titus 3:5–7; 2 Timothy 1:9, STRONG: “grace” (G5485), “faith” (G4102), LEX: grace = “favor freely given, unearned”; faith = “trust, conviction of truth,” GRAM: “are ye saved” = perfect passive – “a completed act with continuing results,” HIS: “Paul contrasts Gentile salvation by grace with Jewish legalism,” PAR: Romans 5:1–2

Example 3 — Repentance and remission in Christ’s name (three study words)

Quote:
“The risen Christ commissions a gospel of repentance and remission of sins in His name, uniting a changed mind with a released debt through the authority of Jesus.”

SCCS Citation (with Advanced Specificity):
~ Luke 24:46–47, VER: KJV, TOP: Gospel Commission, CR: Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9, STRONG: “repentance” (G3341), “remission” (G859), “name” (G3686), LEX: repentance = “change of mind/heart”; remission = “forgiveness, release from debt,” GRAM: aorist imperative – “a decisive command to repent,” HIS: “Jesus explains the message of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms fulfilled in Him,” PAR: Mark 16:15–16

Example 4 — Multi-Part Demonstration (Salvation Statement)

Quote:
“The fact that we need a savior is paramount. We are under God’s wrath for everything that has been done in this world. Christ died, paying the price for the sins of the whole world, which includes every person. All that remains is to believe in Him, and the believer will be considered a child of God through the elder brother, Jesus Christ. Once faith is placed in Him, a person becomes a new creature, a new creation, having the mind of Christ, with the Holy Spirit indwelling, and the fruits of the Spirit strengthening against sin.”

Section-by-Section SCCS Citations (with Advanced Specificity):

1. Human sin and the need for a Savior / God’s wrath
   ~ Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23, VER: KJV, TOP: Sin and Wrath, CR: John 3:18; Ephesians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, STRONG: “wrath” (G3709), “sin” (G266), LEX: wrath = “anger, divine judgment”; sin = “missing the mark,” GRAM: both verbs in indicative = statement of fact, HIS: “Paul addresses universal human guilt under God’s law,” PAR: Psalm 51:5

2. Christ’s atoning death for the world
   ~ 1 John 2:2, VER: KJV, TOP: Atonement, CR: John 1:29; Romans 5:6–8; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 2:9, STRONG: “propitiation” (G2434), “world” (G2889), LEX: propitiation = “atoning sacrifice, satisfaction,” GRAM: present tense – “He is continually the propitiation,” HIS: “John combats early Gnostic denial of Christ’s atonement,” PAR: Romans 3:25

3. Belief and adoption as children of God
   ~ John 1:12, VER: KJV, TOP: Adoption, CR: John 3:16; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:14–17, STRONG: “believe” (G4100), “children” (G5043), LEX: believe = “to trust, rely on”; children = “offspring, born ones,” GRAM: aorist active = “a decisive act of believing grants authority,” HIS: “John emphasizes Christ as the Word incarnate bringing new birth,” PAR: Galatians 4:4–7

4. Becoming a new creation
   ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17, VER: KJV, TOP: New Creation, CR: Ezekiel 36:26; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10, STRONG: “new” (G2537), “creature/creation” (G2937), LEX: new = “fresh, unprecedented”; creation = “something founded,” GRAM: conditional clause – “if any man be in Christ,” HIS: “Paul contrasts life in Adam with life in Christ,” PAR: Colossians 3:9–10

5. Having the mind of Christ
   ~ 1 Corinthians 2:16, VER: KJV, TOP: Mind of Christ, CR: Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10, STRONG: “mind” (G3563), “Christ” (G5547), LEX: mind = “understanding, reasoning capacity,” GRAM: present tense = ongoing possession, HIS: “Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world with the Spirit’s wisdom,” PAR: Philippians 2:5

6. The Holy Spirit indwelling
   ~ Romans 8:9–11, VER: KJV, TOP: Spirit Indwelling, CR: John 14:16–17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 4:6, STRONG: “Spirit” (G4151), “dwell” (G3611), LEX: dwell = “to make one’s home,” GRAM: present indicative – “the Spirit is now dwelling,” HIS: “Paul affirms that Spirit-indwelt believers belong to Christ,” PAR: 2 Timothy 1:14

7. The fruit of the Spirit and power against sin
   ~ Galatians 5:22–23, VER: KJV, TOP: Fruit of the Spirit, CR: John 15:5; Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:9, STRONG: “fruit” (G2590), “Spirit” (G4151), LEX: fruit = “result, evidence of life,” GRAM: singular “fruit” = unity of the Spirit’s work, HIS: “Paul contrasts works of the flesh with Spirit-led living,” PAR: Matthew 7:16–20