Formulas

Once upon a time is a formulaic phrase that identifies all the fairy tales we learned as a child. To adults this statement is a no-brainer. I think if we took this principle of clear identification based on formulaic language, we would understand more than we do about life around us, even life before us, even life a really long time ago.

When someone starts a sentence with "You know,..." it's a sign that they are about to impart their version of wisdom, truth, emphatic statement, or smug, prior knowledge. It's a language sign that something important to an individual is being said.

In ancient texts, the same formulaic language is used in various places. In 1st Thessalonians, for example, the sections of thought are partitioned by the phrase brothers and sisters. When this is used, the topic changes and he is trying to get the audience to realize that he is commenting on a different matter. It's really that simple. Paying attention to the formulas built in to language is not rocket science and it enhances understanding of people's messages to us.