Posts Tagged ‘figures of speech’
Is “not letting the sun go down” literal?
Question: Does Ephesians 4:26 literally refer to the setting sun, do not let your anger reach tomorrow, or does it mean that you should not end your life with anger? Answer: “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an…
Read MoreIs Ephesians 5:17-18 a not…but ellipses?
Question: Hello, I enjoyed reading your sermon on figures of speech, especially not-but ellipses. My question is: how does the not-but ellipsis apply to Ephesians 5:17-18: “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit.” It…
Read MoreIs Obadiah saying that man would live among the stars?
Question: On your website is a question about “What does the Bible say about man inhabiting space?” Wouldn’t that include man living on other planets and their moons? I think Obadiah 1:4 in the New King James Version says it all: “‘Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest…
Read MoreThe Misunderstood Jesus
by Doy Moyer Understanding people is often difficult. What do they mean? How are they using phrases? Are they being literal or figurative, or both? In person, we can ask and clarify, but when we are reading what others said, we can easily misinterpret because we are not hearing the inflections or seeing their gestures.…
Read MoreFigures of Speech – Sudden Silence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/FiguresOfSpeechSuddenSilence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 32:15-35 I. The purpose of figurative speech is to add emphasis to what is being spoken or written. A. It might make something more memorial, such as a parable giving a story to hang a teaching upon. B. It might puzzle you or even startle you with an apparent breaking…
Read MoreFigures of Speech
Figures of Speech – Part 1Figures of Speech – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 13:10-17 I. A common confusion in reading the Bible is understanding text when figures of speech are used A. A bit odd because all languages of men contain figures of speech, so you think that people would be used to…
Read MoreBiblical Figures of Speech: Ellipsis
Text: Galatians 4:21-31 I. In our everyday speech, we employ figures of speech constantly and rarely think about what we are doing. A. Figures of speech are important tools because they make points standout in a statement. B. When we recognize that a figure of speech in use, it helps us understand what is being said more…
Read MoreFigurative Speech: “The Kingdom Is Like …”
by Robert Turner Plain Talk, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 4-5–December 1976 Is the church (God’s people) the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:23); or is it like (in some respects) a “body,” and since He is “head over” these people, therefore like the body of Christ? Are we literally His hands, feet, etc? Or are we figuratively…
Read MoreThe Needle’s Eye
by Irvin Himmel A rich young ruler came running to Jesus and, kneeling before the Master, posed the question, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus called attention to some of the basic commands of the law. The young man answered, “Master, all these have I observed from my…
Read More