Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration to make a point or to
create a strong effect. For example, I might say to my wife, “Your purse
weighs a ton,” or to my friend, “I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.”
“Hyperbole” derives from the Greek word translated “excess.” Paul used
it more excessively than any other New Testament writer, speaking of Christ’s ‘exceeding’
greatness, or the ‘exceeding’ riches of grace, or His ‘exceeding’ power. He told
the Corinthians that even though their suffering seemed ‘excessive,’ it was producing
an ‘exceeding’ weight of glory (Eph. 1:9; 2:7; 2 Cor. 4:7;4:17).
Paul could not speak spiritual truth without sounding hyperbolic. How else could he emphasize the superlative worth of Christ. Listen to the excessive language of John: “[Even] if every one of the things Jesus did were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). In other words, you just can't say enough about Jesus. And that's no exaggeration!
Paul could not speak spiritual truth without sounding hyperbolic. How else could he emphasize the superlative worth of Christ. Listen to the excessive language of John: “[Even] if every one of the things Jesus did were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). In other words, you just can't say enough about Jesus. And that's no exaggeration!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!.... (Rom 11:33ff)
ReplyDeleteIn our finiteness; we are amazed at His infinity!
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