I THESSALONIANS 4:16

The very smallest elements to consider when practicing exegesis (interpretation) of a biblical passage are, of course, the individual words in a sentence. But even words only make sense within the context of the sentences in which they occur. And to make sense of a sentence, it is necessary to have at least a basic understanding of grammar. I grew up decades ago when it was common to teach the diagramming of sentences. At the time it seemed like a useless pursuit (and it is certainly a lost art today), but actually I have found that knowledge invaluable in Bible study.  As one example, consider the first part of I Thessalonians 4:16:

“For the Lord himself

                with a word of command,

                with an archangel's voice, and

                with a trumpet of God

                        will descend from heaven...”

The truth expressed here is that at some time or other, the Lord will descend from heaven. The rest of the sentence modifies this basic thought with three prepositional clauses that spell out three things that will accompany this event. 

The Jehovah Witnesses argue, based mainly on this verse, that Michael and Jesus are one and the same person because (a) Jesus is speaking with an archangel's voice and (b) Michael is the only archangel. However, knowledge of basic English grammar (assuming, of course, that the translators accurately rendered the meaning of the original Greek) will show that: 

    (1) It doesn't say who is speaking with an archangel's voice. The three “with” clauses just spell out simultaneous events occurring as Christ descends. Is Christ Himself supposed to be giving a command, speaking with an archangel's voice, and blowing a trumpet all at the same time?

    (2) “An archangel” versus “the archangel" actually proves that there is more than one archangel, otherwise it would read “the” or “his” archangel's voice.

As an aside, the additional "proof" that the Jehovah Witnesses provide to equate Michael and Jesus is that each one of them, in separate Bible passages, is said to lead an army of angels. Since (a) there can't be two leaders of an army and (b) only one angel army is mentioned in the Bible, obviously Michael is another name for Jesus. As an easy exercise, see if you can pick holes in both those arguments.