Back in the 60's a pastor in Bakersfield, California, passed away on a Sunday morning as he was preparing for church service. He had a heart attack as he was shaving. He staggered to the bed and reached for the Word of God. When the EMS workers came, they tried to pry the Bible out from his clutched fingers to no avail.
"His hand grew weary and it clave unto the sword".
It pays to be a man of the Word, and the power of truth has its own way of changing lives through the Godly influence of people transformed by the Word.
I felt as I started this weekly letter, I should share different ways in which you can approach your study by language. I encourage you to get into the Bible or open the Word in your computer. Word study the text I have included to help you see how easy it is to research scripture; Scripture is of course the written word and Jesus is the Living Word.
"THE STUDY OF GOD'S WORD IS THE SECRET DISCIPLINE THAT HAS FORMED THE GREATEST OF CHARACTERSSS." (IT'S NOT TO LATE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH IN 2025)
(1) Reasons for figurative language - In the early ages of the world, the most ancient mode of instruction was by figures of speech. The sacred writers could impart divine truth best by employing terms borrowed from sensible and material objects most suitable to the Oriental mind. Hence, the language of the Bible contains many figures and images drawn from almost any subject that presented itself to the imagination of the writer.
(2) Purpose of figurative language - Without the aid of these figures, which present truth to the mind in picture form and delight while they instruct, it would be impossible for us to form any reasonably adequate conception of the essence and attributes of God. Therefore, the writings of David, Solomon, and others, abound with animated figures and images.
Categories of language - In order to understand the scriptures correctly, it is necessary to recognize and understand the various forms of language used in the Bible, namely:
(1) Historical language - Simple statements of fact concerning past events and to be taken literally, Ex. 2:1-10
(2) Poetical language - Truth conveyed in the language of the imagination and the picturesque,
Song of Solomon: 4:12-5:1, in which the Bible abounds.
(3) Phenomenal language - Statements of fact conveyed from the appearance of a spectator and not in the language of scientific accuracy, Matt. 5:45; Joshua 10:12-13
(4) Symbolic language - Truth conveyed by means of emblems or signs, the meaning of which is inherent in the symbol, Dan. 2:31-38
(5) Proverbial language - Truth formally stated as a maxim, but not to be taken literally, Prov. 26:17
(6) Cultural language - Truth based upon, and belonging to, the culture of another time, although its principles are valid for all time, John 13:14
(7) Spiritual language - Language conveying truth essentially belonging to the incorporeal, the realm of the Spirit, 1 Cor. 13:1-8
(8) Anthropomorphic language - Language which reveals the nature and activity of God in terms of human conceptions, Ezek. 3:14; Neh. 2:18
(9) Figurative language - Language employing words which are deflected from their ordinary meaning and used in another sense, Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1
(10) Typological language - New Testament truth given in the language of the Old Testament types, 1 Peter 2:5
(11) Parabolic language - Language which presents truth in the form of a parable, Luke 15:8-10
(12) Doctrinal language - Language which sets forth principles of belief forming the dogma of the church, Rom. 5:1
Figures of speech
(1) Allegory
a. Allegory defined - An allegory is an extended metaphor which presents a spiritual truth in symbolical narrative, Ecc. 12:1-7
b. Allegory and parable differentiated
(a) The personages in the parable are representative, Matt. 13:1-23, while those of an allegory are symbolical, Ecc. 12:1-7
(b) The meaning of the parable is to be sought apart from the imagery of the story, while the meaning of the allegory is implied in the symbolical use of the words
(2) Apostrophe - An apostrophe is an address to the absent as though present, Jer. 15:10, or to the inanimate as if human, Psa. 148:3
(3) Fable - The fable is a story in which nature and the brute reaction are endowed with reason and made to speak and act contrary to the known laws of their being, Judges 9:8-15
(4) Hyperbole - A hyperbole is a figure of speech consisting of an obvious exaggeration not intended to deceive, but to add force to a statement, Psa. 6:6
(5) Interrogation - An interrogation is a figure of speech in which an affirmation is expressed in the form of a question, Job 11:7; Jer. 32:27
(6) Irony - Irony is a figure of speech in which the very opposite of what is intended is said, Job 12:2. It is ridicule transparently disguised as compliment
(7) Litotes - Litotes is a figure which suggests its intended idea by negating the opposite, Acts 21:39. It is an understatement in contrast to the hyperbole which emphasizes by overstatement
(8) Metaphor - A metaphor is an implied comparison in which a transfer of the qualities of one object to another is made so that an identity is established between them, Matt. 5:13
(9) Metonymy - Metonymy is a figure of speech by which one word is put for another because of an association of ideas, Luke 24:27
(10) Onomatopoeia - Onomatopoeia is the use of words whose sound suggests the sense, Matt. 24:51
(11) Parable
a. Nature of a parable - A parable is a story which consists of a continued narration of a fictitious event, which might reasonably have happened, applied by way of simile to the illustration of some important truth, Luke 15:8-10. It is an extended simile but is always confined to reality. To be a parable, the story must be true to the facts and experiences of a human life
b. Peculiar utility of parables - Instruction by way of parables carries with it a force and conviction which are almost irresistible. By laying hold on the imagination, a parable insinuates itself into the affections; and by the inter-communication of the faculties, the understanding is made to apprehend the truth which was proposed to the fancy. Among its specific merits, the following may be mentioned:
(a) Instructions by way of parable is naturally adopted to engage the attention
(b) It is easily comprehended and suited to the meanest capacity
(c) It opens the doctrines which it professes to conceal without alarming our prejudices and passions
(d) It communicates unwelcome truths in the least disagreeable manner and insinuates reproof with less offense and with greater efficacy than open rebuke, 2 Sam. 12:1-9
(12) Paradox - A paradox is a figure of speech which is seemingly self-contradictory or absurd yet expresses a truth.
It is a statement that is contradictory if taken at its face value, but which has a deeper meaning than is readily apparent, 2 Cor. 12:10
(13) Personification - Personification is a figure by which intelligence or life is attributed to inanimate objects, Num. 16:32
(14) Riddle - The riddle is a proposition put in ambiguous language intended to puzzle or perplex the hearers and requiring the exercise of ingenuity to discover its meaning, Judges 14:14. The Hebrew noun for "riddle" signifies to "twist"
(15) Simile - A simile is a comparison between two fundamentally different objects for the purpose of bringing out some point of resemblance. Similes are usually introduced by words such as "like" or "as," Jer. 23:29
(16) Symbol - A symbol is an object, animate or inanimate, standing for, or representing something, moral or intellectual as an idea or a quality, Rev. 5:5
(17) Synecdoche - A synecdoche is a specialized type of metonymy in which the whole is put for a part, e.g., Luke 2:1; or the part is put for the whole, Acts 27:37
(18) Type
a. Type defined - A type in scripture is a preordained representative relation which certain persons, offices, institutions, etc. of the Old Testament hold to corresponding persons, offices, institutions, etc., of the New Testament, Heb. 7:1-3
b. Essential characteristics of a type
(a) Notable points of analogy - There must be some notable point or points of analogy between the type and its antitype. In addition, there must also be striking points of contrast; and the antitype is always higher and nobler than the type, I Cor. 15:45-49
(b) Evidence of divine designation - There must be evidence that the type was divinely designated and appointed to represent the person or thing typified. Thus, more than resemblance is needed to constitute a truth a type. The correspondence must be intended by God. In other words, typology does not rest upon the capricious support of the imagination of the expositor, but upon the solid foundation of the word of God
(c) Prophetical import - A type must prefigure something future. It is this feature, which gives the type a prophetic character and makes it a shadow of thing to come. Hebrew 10:1
Lovers of the Word of God, find it easier to appreciate the things that God loves and love those that are Walking in His steps, "not as fools but as wise redeeming the times." One of our families have taken in over the years two nieces, who had gotten off the road to heaven. The culture had taken them captive, however, in both cases, they were redeemed restored through the influence and study of the Word of God. One of the young ladies was here at a time when I taught serve on 66 ways to study of the Word of God, she did not miss a class for one year. Today she is restored to her family and is a successful real estate agent in her city.
We are People of the Book.
I believe in you,
Pastor Cleddie Keith
"His hand grew weary and it clave unto the sword".
It pays to be a man of the Word, and the power of truth has its own way of changing lives through the Godly influence of people transformed by the Word.
I felt as I started this weekly letter, I should share different ways in which you can approach your study by language. I encourage you to get into the Bible or open the Word in your computer. Word study the text I have included to help you see how easy it is to research scripture; Scripture is of course the written word and Jesus is the Living Word.
"THE STUDY OF GOD'S WORD IS THE SECRET DISCIPLINE THAT HAS FORMED THE GREATEST OF CHARACTERSSS." (IT'S NOT TO LATE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH IN 2025)
(1) Reasons for figurative language - In the early ages of the world, the most ancient mode of instruction was by figures of speech. The sacred writers could impart divine truth best by employing terms borrowed from sensible and material objects most suitable to the Oriental mind. Hence, the language of the Bible contains many figures and images drawn from almost any subject that presented itself to the imagination of the writer.
(2) Purpose of figurative language - Without the aid of these figures, which present truth to the mind in picture form and delight while they instruct, it would be impossible for us to form any reasonably adequate conception of the essence and attributes of God. Therefore, the writings of David, Solomon, and others, abound with animated figures and images.
Categories of language - In order to understand the scriptures correctly, it is necessary to recognize and understand the various forms of language used in the Bible, namely:
(1) Historical language - Simple statements of fact concerning past events and to be taken literally, Ex. 2:1-10
(2) Poetical language - Truth conveyed in the language of the imagination and the picturesque,
Song of Solomon: 4:12-5:1, in which the Bible abounds.
(3) Phenomenal language - Statements of fact conveyed from the appearance of a spectator and not in the language of scientific accuracy, Matt. 5:45; Joshua 10:12-13
(4) Symbolic language - Truth conveyed by means of emblems or signs, the meaning of which is inherent in the symbol, Dan. 2:31-38
(5) Proverbial language - Truth formally stated as a maxim, but not to be taken literally, Prov. 26:17
(6) Cultural language - Truth based upon, and belonging to, the culture of another time, although its principles are valid for all time, John 13:14
(7) Spiritual language - Language conveying truth essentially belonging to the incorporeal, the realm of the Spirit, 1 Cor. 13:1-8
(8) Anthropomorphic language - Language which reveals the nature and activity of God in terms of human conceptions, Ezek. 3:14; Neh. 2:18
(9) Figurative language - Language employing words which are deflected from their ordinary meaning and used in another sense, Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1
(10) Typological language - New Testament truth given in the language of the Old Testament types, 1 Peter 2:5
(11) Parabolic language - Language which presents truth in the form of a parable, Luke 15:8-10
(12) Doctrinal language - Language which sets forth principles of belief forming the dogma of the church, Rom. 5:1
(1) Allegory
a. Allegory defined - An allegory is an extended metaphor which presents a spiritual truth in symbolical narrative, Ecc. 12:1-7
b. Allegory and parable differentiated
(a) The personages in the parable are representative, Matt. 13:1-23, while those of an allegory are symbolical, Ecc. 12:1-7
(b) The meaning of the parable is to be sought apart from the imagery of the story, while the meaning of the allegory is implied in the symbolical use of the words
(2) Apostrophe - An apostrophe is an address to the absent as though present, Jer. 15:10, or to the inanimate as if human, Psa. 148:3
(3) Fable - The fable is a story in which nature and the brute reaction are endowed with reason and made to speak and act contrary to the known laws of their being, Judges 9:8-15
(4) Hyperbole - A hyperbole is a figure of speech consisting of an obvious exaggeration not intended to deceive, but to add force to a statement, Psa. 6:6
(5) Interrogation - An interrogation is a figure of speech in which an affirmation is expressed in the form of a question, Job 11:7; Jer. 32:27
(6) Irony - Irony is a figure of speech in which the very opposite of what is intended is said, Job 12:2. It is ridicule transparently disguised as compliment
(7) Litotes - Litotes is a figure which suggests its intended idea by negating the opposite, Acts 21:39. It is an understatement in contrast to the hyperbole which emphasizes by overstatement
(8) Metaphor - A metaphor is an implied comparison in which a transfer of the qualities of one object to another is made so that an identity is established between them, Matt. 5:13
(9) Metonymy - Metonymy is a figure of speech by which one word is put for another because of an association of ideas, Luke 24:27
(10) Onomatopoeia - Onomatopoeia is the use of words whose sound suggests the sense, Matt. 24:51
(11) Parable
a. Nature of a parable - A parable is a story which consists of a continued narration of a fictitious event, which might reasonably have happened, applied by way of simile to the illustration of some important truth, Luke 15:8-10. It is an extended simile but is always confined to reality. To be a parable, the story must be true to the facts and experiences of a human life
b. Peculiar utility of parables - Instruction by way of parables carries with it a force and conviction which are almost irresistible. By laying hold on the imagination, a parable insinuates itself into the affections; and by the inter-communication of the faculties, the understanding is made to apprehend the truth which was proposed to the fancy. Among its specific merits, the following may be mentioned:
(a) Instructions by way of parable is naturally adopted to engage the attention
(b) It is easily comprehended and suited to the meanest capacity
(c) It opens the doctrines which it professes to conceal without alarming our prejudices and passions
(d) It communicates unwelcome truths in the least disagreeable manner and insinuates reproof with less offense and with greater efficacy than open rebuke, 2 Sam. 12:1-9
(12) Paradox - A paradox is a figure of speech which is seemingly self-contradictory or absurd yet expresses a truth.
It is a statement that is contradictory if taken at its face value, but which has a deeper meaning than is readily apparent, 2 Cor. 12:10
(13) Personification - Personification is a figure by which intelligence or life is attributed to inanimate objects, Num. 16:32
(14) Riddle - The riddle is a proposition put in ambiguous language intended to puzzle or perplex the hearers and requiring the exercise of ingenuity to discover its meaning, Judges 14:14. The Hebrew noun for "riddle" signifies to "twist"
(15) Simile - A simile is a comparison between two fundamentally different objects for the purpose of bringing out some point of resemblance. Similes are usually introduced by words such as "like" or "as," Jer. 23:29
(16) Symbol - A symbol is an object, animate or inanimate, standing for, or representing something, moral or intellectual as an idea or a quality, Rev. 5:5
(17) Synecdoche - A synecdoche is a specialized type of metonymy in which the whole is put for a part, e.g., Luke 2:1; or the part is put for the whole, Acts 27:37
(18) Type
a. Type defined - A type in scripture is a preordained representative relation which certain persons, offices, institutions, etc. of the Old Testament hold to corresponding persons, offices, institutions, etc., of the New Testament, Heb. 7:1-3
b. Essential characteristics of a type
(a) Notable points of analogy - There must be some notable point or points of analogy between the type and its antitype. In addition, there must also be striking points of contrast; and the antitype is always higher and nobler than the type, I Cor. 15:45-49
(b) Evidence of divine designation - There must be evidence that the type was divinely designated and appointed to represent the person or thing typified. Thus, more than resemblance is needed to constitute a truth a type. The correspondence must be intended by God. In other words, typology does not rest upon the capricious support of the imagination of the expositor, but upon the solid foundation of the word of God
(c) Prophetical import - A type must prefigure something future. It is this feature, which gives the type a prophetic character and makes it a shadow of thing to come. Hebrew 10:1
Lovers of the Word of God, find it easier to appreciate the things that God loves and love those that are Walking in His steps, "not as fools but as wise redeeming the times." One of our families have taken in over the years two nieces, who had gotten off the road to heaven. The culture had taken them captive, however, in both cases, they were redeemed restored through the influence and study of the Word of God. One of the young ladies was here at a time when I taught serve on 66 ways to study of the Word of God, she did not miss a class for one year. Today she is restored to her family and is a successful real estate agent in her city.
We are People of the Book.
I believe in you,
Pastor Cleddie Keith