“all these things spake jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not...
TRANSCRIPT
Figurative = Symbolic, allegoricalFigurative = Symbolic, allegorical
“All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them.” Matt. 13:34
We all use figurative language…
Much of the Bible is written in figurative speech
Jesus had a problem with people misinterpreting figurative expressions
John 6:48-66 “eat my flesh and drink my blood…”
Matt. 26:60-61 “Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days.”
Many false doctrines are based upon aMisinterpretation of figurative speech
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable
Throw along side – familiarLuke 8:4-15 - sower
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable Fable
A fictitious narrationUsed to teach a lessonJudges 9:8-15 – trees anointed a king over them
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable Fable Simile Similitude
Comparing two unlike thingsMatt. 3:16 “like a dove”Matt. 7:24 “unto a wise man”
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable Fable Simile Similitude Metaphor
Comparison impliedLuke 13:31,32 “fox”Rom.6:3,4 buried in baptism
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable Fable Simile Similitude Metaphor Metonymy
One thing is said while another is meant Acts 8:28 “reading Isaiah”1Cor.11:25 - “Cup”
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable Fable Simile Similitude Metaphor Metonymy Synecdoche
Whole put for a part, or A part for the wholeMt.3:5,6 - Jerusalem
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony
Saying one thing while meaning the opposite2 Cor. 11:19 - are wise
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony Sarcasm
To speak bitterly or scornfullyMark 15:31,32 “himself he cannot save”
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony Sarcasm Hyperbole
To overstate a point for emphasisDeut. 1:28 “fenced up to heaven”
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony Sarcasm Hyperbole Personification
Inanimate objects are addressed as if they were actual personsPr. 8:1,2
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony Sarcasm Hyperbole Personification Interrogation
Asking a question to affirm a proposition1 Cor. 1:13 “is Christ divided?”
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony Sarcasm Hyperbole Personification Interrogation Allegory
A figurative sentence or discourse a continued metaphorGal.4 – 5 - Hagar and Sarah
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
ParableParable FableFable SimileSimile SimilitudeSimilitude MetaphorMetaphor MetonymyMetonymy SynecdocheSynecdoche
Irony Sarcasm Hyperbole Personification Interrogation Allegory Proverb
An old and common sayingShort pity statement containing a valuable thoughtProv.15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath:”
I. Some Common Figures of Speech
Parable Fable Simile Similitude Metaphor Metonymy Synecdoche
Irony Sarcasm Hyperbole Personification Interrogation Allegory Proverb
II. How to Determine when LanguageIs Figurative
1. Observe the Context1. Observe the Context
Rev. 20 - 1000 years reign
Is it literal or figurative
What does the context suggest?
II. How to Determine when LanguageIs Figurative
2. When a literal interpretation 2. When a literal interpretation would involve an impossibilitywould involve an impossibility
Matt. 23:24 “Ye blind guides which strain at the gnat and swallow a camel”
II. How to Determine when LanguageIs Figurative
3. When a literal interpretation 3. When a literal interpretation would cause it to contradict anotherwould cause it to contradict another
1000 year reign of Rev. 20
Earth will melt with heat
2 Pet. 3:10
II. How to Determine when LanguageIs Figurative
4. When the scripture seems to 4. When the scripture seems to demand actions that are wrongdemand actions that are wrong
Luke 14:26
hate his father and mother
II. How to Determine when LanguageIs Figurative
5. When it is said to be figurative5. When it is said to be figurative
I Cor. 4:6 “…I have in a figure transferred to my self and Apollos.”
Figure = transfer
Gal. 4:24 – calls it an allegory
II. How to Determine when LanguageIs Figurative
6. Common Sense6. Common Sense
I Cor. 3:2 “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat:”
It is obviously figurative
III. Some Rules for Interpreting Figurative Language
1. Let the author give his own 1. Let the author give his own interpretationinterpretation
2. Keep the interpretation within the 2. Keep the interpretation within the scope of the writerscope of the writer
3. Figurative accounts should be 3. Figurative accounts should be interpreted in light of literal interpreted in light of literal accountsaccounts
III. Some Rules for Interpreting Figurative Language
4. Gain a clear concept of the 4. Gain a clear concept of the matters upon which the figures are matters upon which the figures are basedbased
5. Never press a figure too far5. Never press a figure too far
6. The same figures don’t always 6. The same figures don’t always mean the same thingmean the same thing
III. Some Rules for Interpreting Figurative Language
7. Avoid outrageous interpretations7. Avoid outrageous interpretations
8. Be consistent8. Be consistent
“rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Tim. 2:15
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga. 30809
706-855-1249
www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org
Sunday Evening June 3, 2007