Figuratively Speaking

Figuratively Speaking

When reading how do you know what is most important?

Well, usually a writer will bold certain words, or end a sentence with a ! or CAPITALIZE what is the most important point, right?

But how do you know what are the most significant points in God’s Word? How does God emphasize words that are extremely important?

He uses Figures of Speech.

Some Figures of Speech are still used today, mostly in Poetry or Songs, or used in speaking to exaggerate a point.

Let’s look at common one that everyone knows called Oxymoron. The modern dictionary definition of an Oxymoron is “a Figure of Speech that combines two usually contradictory terms in a compressed paradox, as in the word bittersweet or the phrase out like a light.”

Here are some more you are probably familiar with: artificial intelligence, good grief, jumbo shrimp, genuine imitation, soft rock, grape nuts, pretty ugly , and one of my favorites rap artist, just to name a few. Ever heard these phrases – “free with purchase”, what a deal, huh? Or how about “one size fits all” , yeah, right, with all the diverse sizes and shapes of people there are in the world? Wouldn’t you wonder about buying something that has a “limited lifetime guarantee”? Advertisers use these figures all the time.

But the definition of an Oxymoron from the Scriptures is a bit different, it is “words that seem foolish, but are actually very wise”. Here are some examples:

Matt. 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it”. Sounds quite absurd, doesn’t it? How can you lose what you save, and save what you lose? Read the verse in context of verses 24-26, and it will be clear.

Look at I Cor. 1:25, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than man.” Is God foolish? Is God weak? Of course NOT! That is an oxymoron emphasizing how foolish and weak men are compared to God. Another verse that establishes that is in Isa. 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Here is another one for you, 2 Cor. 12:10b, “…for when I am weak, then am I strong.” How can you be strong when you are weak? The context of this verse is concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh verse 7. It makes sense if you look at verse 9, “And he (God) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I (Paul) rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The situation Paul was in was more than he could physically, intellectually or emotionally handle. That’s what “weak in the flesh” means. But God assured him that His strength would be there to help him through his challenges. With that assurance, now Paul could glory in his own inability by trusting what God said, seeing himself as being a more than conqueror through the power of God and the anointing within him.

These are just a few seemingly foolish verses that are just the contrary when you understand the figure of speech Oxymoron. So now when you study, and find those clearly misunderstood verses they will be plainly unmistakable in their meanings.

Have some serious fun working the Scriptures!

Tricia Tulak

P.S. If you find any oxymorons that you would like to share leave them in the comments!