Formulas and Rhetorical Devices used by the Apostle Paul |
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Tuesday, 29 April 2014 09:38 |
By Bobby Bruno Stereotyped formulas are those that are used by many letter writers to convey a feeling or information. Included in these formulas are the disclosure formula (information is forthcoming; the Appeal (Petition) formula (help is needed); the Rejoice formula (I'm happy for you); and the Astonishment formula (Why have you done this thing!). The disclosure formula was used by Paul in Galatians 1:11 ("I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Good News I have spread is not a human message" /G.W). Paul used the Appeal formula in Philippians 4:2 ("Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement" /N.L.T). He also used the Rejoice formula in Philippians 4:10 ("How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have the chance to help me" /N.L.T). Lastly, Paul used the Astonishment formula in Galatians 1:6 ("I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News" /N.L.T). The code of conduct.); and the Catechesis (the content of belief; what should be believed) Paul used the imaginary interlocutor device in 1Corinthians 9:1 ("Don't you agree that I'm a free man? Don't you agree that I'm an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren't you the result of my work for the Lord?" /GW). Paul used the Chiasm device in Romans 10: 9-10 ("If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved" /NLT). Paul used the Paranesis device in 1 Corinthians 10:14 ("Therefore, my dear friends, get as far away from the worship of false gods as you can" /G.W). Lastly, Paul used the Catechesis device in Ephesians 5:3-4 ("Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God" /N.L.T).
References Scripture marked (G.W) is taken from GOD'S WORD, 1995 God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. |
Last Updated on Monday, 12 May 2014 08:59 |