“All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not...

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

arthurpigman@cybrtyme.com

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening June 3, 2007