Rhetorical Techniques Some of these are a little hard to recognize in translation, especially word order and sound; click on the biblical citation to hear the technique.
Term
Definition
Effect
Biblical Examples
Listen for...
Words and Phrases
epanaphora
repetition of the same word at the beginning of a series of clauses, or sentences; often phrased in the form of rhetorical questions
helps someone follow the argument; adds emphasis
Colossians 1:16-18
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
1 Corinthians 12:8-10
whether; and
different kinds
to one, to another
antistrophe
repetition of the same word at the end of successive clauses
helps someone follow the argument; adds emphasis
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
to shame the x
parison
a string of parallel phrases; verbs parallel in sound; a series of clauses, similar words or prepositional phrases
entertaining; helps to link ideas
1 Corinthians 12:29–13:3
are all…; do all…; if I …
ekphrasis
extended descriptions
not a diversion but a rest for audience before returning to the main theme; purpose was to delight audience
1 Corinthians 3:9-16
Revelation 17:3-6, 15-18
metaphors and similes
often hack figures drawn from athletics, military, sea, pastoral life, medicine
often "heaped up" for effect; entertaining, brings “home” the point
1 Thessalonians 2:19
Galatians 5:7-9
crown (from victory in games or war)
v. 9: leaven and dough
paradeigmata
examples drawn from myth, nature, and life; a common feature of inductive argument
reinforces argument with more familiar and accepted life examples
1 Corinthians 2:11
1 Corinthians 14:6-9 (vv. 7-8)
spirit : person :: Spirit : God
notes on instruments :: words spoken in tongues
oxymoron
combination of two or more terms that normally contradict one another
entertaining; keeps audience on toes
1 Corinthians 1:25
foolishness = wisdom
asyndeton
omission of connectives
intensifies the directness of the speech
1 Corinthians 6:8
no sound file
[invisible in English; you’d need to know how Greek is usually written/spoken to appreciate the absence of και, μεν/δε, γαρ]
polysyndeton
accumulation of connectives phrased in the form of rhetorical questions
has a sort of “piling up” effect, emphasizing the point
Colossians 1:16-18
sound file at epanaphora, above
whether…or; and
Argument
arsis
idea first stated negatively, then positively
reinforces point
1 Corinthians 2:6
not a wisdom of this age… rather we speak God’s wisdom
diaporesis
pretense of doubt
addresses doubt head-on, entertains
Philippians 1:20-24 (v 22)
and I do not know which I shall choose
paraleipsis
pretense of passing over a point in silence, while emphasizing that very point
gives impression of concession but actually emphasizes point
2 Corinthians 9:4
Philemon 17-19 (v 19)
to say nothing of you
I say nothing about your owing me even your own self (NRSV; NAB less clear)
enthymeme
a statement or assertion followed by a supporting reason; a common feature of deductive argument
clarity, explanation
Matthew 5:3-12
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5
Romans 1:10-17
blessed are… for …
For we know, brothers…
For I…; so that …
hyperbole, exaggeration
overstate the case
entertainment; guarantees agreement with a lesser point
Galatians 5:11-12
would that [they] would castrate themselves!
Sound
parachesis
two words of different roots but with similar sound
entertainment, emphasis
James 1:24
goes out (απεληλυθεν) and forgets (επελαθετο)
paronomasia
similarity of sound with dissimilarity of sense
entertainment, emphasizes contrast
James 2:20; 4:14
works (εργων) –useless (αργη)
Bibliography
Aune, David E. The Westminster Dictionary of New Testament and Early Christian Literature and Rhetoric. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.
Classen, Carl Joachim. Rhetorical Criticism of the New Testament. Leiden: Brill, 2002.
Kennedy, George Alexander. Classical Rhetoric and Its Christian and Secular Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times, 2nd rev. ed. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1999.
--------. New Testament Interpretation Through Rhetorical Criticism. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 1984.