Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

Figures of Speech (continued)

IRONY ( Eiron = a dissembling speaker) METONYMY ( Meta+onoma = a change of name)

The speaker or writer says the very opposite of what he intends to convey. “ . . . you are the people and wisdom will die with you ” (Job 12.1).

One word is used in place of another to portray some actual relationship between the things signified. “ Kill the passover . . . ” (Exod. 12.21 KJV) where the paschal lamb is meant. Intentional exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis, or magnifying beyond reality. “ If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away . . . ” (Matt. 5.29).

HYPERBOLE ( Huper+bole ) = a throwing beyond

PERSONIFICATION (to make like a person) APOSTROPHE ( apo+strepho = to turn from) SYNECDOCHE ( sun+ekdechomai = to receive from and associate with)

Inanimate objects are spoken of as persons, as if they had life. “ The sea looked and fled . . . ” (Ps. 114.3).

Turning from the immediate hearers to address an absent or imaginary person or thing. “ Ah, sword of the Lord! How long till you are quiet? ” (Jer. 47.6).

Where the whole is put for a part, or a part for the whole, an individual for a class and vice-versa. “ And we were in all 276 souls . . . ” in Acts 27.37, where soul is used for the whole person.

Simile

First, let’s compare simile and metaphor. Ephesians 5:22-27 is a simile, making a formal comparison between Christ and the church on the one hand, and husbands and wives on the other. The words “as . . . so” or “even so” make this very clear. And this figure heightens our interest and dignifies the marriage relationship, especially if we see it in outline form, like this: