ScriptureStream

We should take a passage to be figurative when:

A literal understanding contradicts another passage.

It is said to be figurative.

A literal understanding contradicts known facts/common sense.

We should not take a passage to be figurative just because it contradicts our beliefs.

Figures of speech

Types:

Pleonasm (redundancy): “When more words are used than the grammar requires” (Bullinger). Example: That is a true fact.

Hyperbole (exaggeration): “When more is said than is literally meant” (Bullinger). Example: Everybody knows that.

Metonymy (change of noun): “The change of one noun for another related noun” (Bullinger). Example: Let’s get a head count. Example: He couldn’t give up the bottle. Head for ‘person,’ bottle for ‘alcohol.’

Synecdoche (transfer): “The exchange of one idea for another associated idea” (Bullinger). “We speak of the whole by a part, or a part by using a term denoting the whole” (Dungan). Example: He’s running from the law. The word law (the whole) refers to the cop chasing him (the part).

Simile (resemblance): “A declaration that one thing resembles another” (Bullinger). Example: He was hot as a firecracker.

Metaphor (representation): “A declaration that one thing is (or represents) another” (Bullinger). Example: During the time of the judges, Israel was on a rollercoaster.

Parabola (parable, continued simile): “Comparison by continued resemblance” (Bullinger).

Not-But: “The writers of the New Testament have adopted the Hebrew manner of comparison” (MacKnight).

Examples

Luke 2:1 - hyperbole

Romans 13:4 - metonymy

John 4:39 - hyperbole

Luke 15:4 - hyperbole

I Samuel 25:37 - hyperbole, simile

Psalms 23:1 - metaphor

James 1:12 - metonymy

Psalms 34:16 - pleonasm

Matthew 9:36 - simile

Acts 5:4 - not-but

Luke 16:29 - metonymy

Matthew 5:13-14 - metaphor

Matthew 13:3 - parable

Matthew 6:19-20 - not-but

Song of Solomon 4:1 - simile

Romans 10:13 - metonymy

The Holy Spirit used figures of speech to explain heavenly things using earthly concepts. In some cases, figures of speech were used to obscure a message from those it was not intended for. In other cases, figures of speech were used to emphasize particular concepts.

Titus 2:3-5

Reverent in their behavior

I Peter 3:3-4

Not malicious gossips

Not enslaved to much wine

This does not imply that having a little wine is okay.

Teaching what is good.

Encourage the young women.

To love their husbands and children

I Kings 21:7

To be sensible

To be pure

To be workers at home

To be kind

To be subject to their own husbands

So that the word of God will not be dishonored.

I Timothy 6:1

Psalms 71:18

Mark 9:1 - The kingdom of God was imminent.

Colossians 1:13

The metaphor kingdom never refers to a local church.

First, it refers to the rules of the king. (Luke 17:21

Then, it refers to the citizenry. (Colossians 1:13

Also, it sometimes refers to heaven. (Matthew 13:43

Facts about the kingdom

John, Jesus, the apostles, and the seventy taught that it was at hand (Matthew 3:3

Jesus taught the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23

Some contemporary with Jesus would see it (Mark 9:1

After Acts 2

It is spiritual, not earthly (John 18:36

It is everlasting, not temporary (Luke 1:33

Preachers are to preach it (Acts 8:12

It is not a democracy - the citizens do not make the laws.

It is not a mobarchy - not run by a few strong arms.

It is not an aristocracy - not run by an aristocratic few.

It is a monarchical republic - has a King and a Constitution.

Christ is King with all authority (John 18:37

Its Constitution revealed through the apostles (Matthew 18:18

Its Constitution is complete and perfect (II Peter 1:3

The citizens position is one of subjection, not legislating.

Christ must be honored (Matthew 17:5

Essentials of citizenship

Enter by new birth (John 3:3-5

Continue by doing His will (Matthew 7:21

Must seek first (Matthew 6:33

Greatness therein determined by service

Judgment picture

Honor the King and His Constitution (Matthew 25:24

Reject the King and His Constitution (II Thessalonians 1:7-9

We grow by putting God’s word into practice, continued:

Managing a family and a congregation require similar skills.

I Peter 1:7 - Our faith as a Christian is tested as though by fire through adversity.

James 1:2-4 - We should meet the trials of life with joy.

Luke 4:1-13

The devil will tempt anybody!

I Corinthians 10:12 - Do not think you are beyond temptation. If the devil would try to tempt Jesus, he will not shy away from tempting anyone!

The devil’s gonna hit you where it hurts!

Jesus was intensely hungry after fasting for forty days and the devil offered him bread.

Job 1:11 - The devil decides how to tempt Job.

Job 2:9-10 - The devil uses evil pain and suffering to tempt men. He knows that people tend to question God when tragedy strikes.

Job 31:1

The devil quotes scripture

Luke 4:9-12

The devil only flees for a season.

Luke 4:13

Acts 20:28-31 - We must always be on alert for temptation.

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus is sympathetic to our plight.

We grow by learning God’s word.

I Peter 2:2 - We are to desire God’s word.

Hosea 4:6 - The Israelites were destroyed because of lack of knowledge.

We have many methods available to help us learn God’s word: sermons, Bible studies, teachings from more knowledgeable Christians, and our own study.

II Peter 1:13 - It is helpful to be reminded of things we’ve learned before so that we do not forget God’s word.

We grow by putting God’s word into practice.

Hebrews 5:12-14 - We must study and practice so we will be ready for the solid food of God’s word.

I Timothy 3:4-5 - An elder must show his spiritual maturity by managing his own house well.

John 10:11 - Jesus is the good shepherd.

The relationship is directly between Jesus and His sheep.

God has also provided for a congregational arrangement in which elders act as shepherd of the congregation. The sheep are still directly subject to the chief shepherd, which is Jesus. They have an additional relationship to the elders of the local congregation. (Acts 20:28

Each congregation is always to be independent. If a local church is not developed such that is has elders, it should still be independent.

Shepherds are to feed, lead, and oversee the flock.

Each congregation is to have a plurality of elders if men are qualified. Elders are always spoken of in the plural in the Bible (Titus 1:6.

Paul used “flock” to teach that a congregation is to support the preaching of the gospel.

As relates to the local flock:

Shepherds are to lead in the will of the Chief Shepherd.

Sheep are to follow the shepherds when they follow the Chief Shepherd.

Sheep are to recognize the necessity of staying with the flock.