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Rhetoric
Within Pattern Analysis, rhetoric is the persuasive portion of a literary unit based on its structure. Certain locations within each literary unit are potentially persuasive–they are presented below for the sake of analysis. Normally, many of the potential locations can be persuasive, but often not all. The student is encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit seems to be emphasizing.
An A-B-C-D-E or 1-2-3-4-5 type of sequence. The exegete may use either letters or numbers. At least three elements must be present to be considered a list. All elements in a list must be about the same topic. Lists are also known as enumerations and linear patterns. The order of list items does not relate to importance unless the Bible tells us differently. Sometimes there is intensification in a list.
A frame is the repetition of a theme near the beginning and end of a structure or substructure. The surrounding layer of a frame encapsulates an inner portion. Scholars often mention a similar concept called an inclusio or inclusion where the repetition may be confined to a literary unit or it may span multiple literary units. Both portions of the frame are required. The two frame elements often do not have the same words—instead, they have the same general theme and sometimes they are antithetical. Other related names for frames are bookends, brackets, and envelopes. Oftentimes the frame contains an emphatic statement.
A strongly worded directive or command that conveys the importance of doing something. In English, Hebrew and Greek, the imperative is a verb. In Greek, the spelling of the word indicates it is imperative. In English, imperatives are usually the first word in a sentence or phrase. For example, the phrase in Deuteronomy 30:19C which states, "Choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants," is an imperative. Context is important in determining if an imperative statement is emphatic.
A strongly worded directive or command that conveys the importance of doing something. In English, Hebrew and Greek, the imperative is a verb. In Greek, the spelling of the word indicates it is imperative. In English, imperatives are usually the first word in a sentence or phrase. For example, the phrase in Deuteronomy 30:19C which states, "Choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants," is an imperative. Context is important in determining if an imperative statement is emphatic.
A strongly worded directive or command that conveys the importance of doing something. In English, Hebrew and Greek, the imperative is a verb. In Greek, the spelling of the word indicates it is imperative. In English, imperatives are usually the first word in a sentence or phrase. For example, the phrase in Deuteronomy 30:19C which states, "Choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants," is an imperative. Context is important in determining if an imperative statement is emphatic.
A strongly worded directive or command that conveys the importance of doing something. In English, Hebrew and Greek, the imperative is a verb. In Greek, the spelling of the word indicates it is imperative. In English, imperatives are usually the first word in a sentence or phrase. For example, the phrase in Deuteronomy 30:19C which states, "Choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants," is an imperative. Context is important in determining if an imperative statement is emphatic.
An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.
In a chiasm, these are the two A elements: A-B-C-C'-B'-A'. Oftentimes an emphasis may be found in these locations.
An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.
A strongly worded directive or command that conveys the importance of doing something. In English, Hebrew and Greek, the imperative is a verb. In Greek, the spelling of the word indicates it is imperative. In English, imperatives are usually the first word in a sentence or phrase. For example, the phrase in Deuteronomy 30:19C which states, "Choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants," is an imperative. Context is important in determining if an imperative statement is emphatic.
A strongly worded directive or command that conveys the importance of doing something. In English, Hebrew and Greek, the imperative is a verb. In Greek, the spelling of the word indicates it is imperative. In English, imperatives are usually the first word in a sentence or phrase. For example, the phrase in Deuteronomy 30:19C which states, "Choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants," is an imperative. Context is important in determining if an imperative statement is emphatic.
Through a casual reading, this LIST is a history of the various people that Timothy and Paul knew in common. Paul felt deserted but he had strength and power from the Lord.
1) The two FRAME elements in verses 1:2B and 4:22 is a repetition of the message for grace, mercy and peace.
2) An emphasis is seen in the X CENTER POINT, verses 16 to 18, which speaks of what Paul experienced and he will experience. The X is a chiastic substructure which has a CORRELATION OF SEQUENCES in a-b-c, things that happened in the past, and c′-b′-a′ are things promised. A grammatical change of verb tense separates the past-oriented a-b-c and the future c′-b′-a′. The two c CENTER POINT elements can lead to an emotive response due to Paul′s rescues.
3) Of the elements A to G, none seem more emphatic than the other. An IMPERATIVE command is identified in six of the seven elements. Unlike the chiasm and parallel symmetry where the position of the elements often create an emphasis, a list does not normally present any one of the elements to be more important than the other. Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
LIST:
... grace, mercy, and peace ...
a title
BEGINNING MARKER: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved son: (v1:1,2A)
grace, mercy and peace
FRAME
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (v1:2B)
STRUCTURE SPLIT:... many verses separate the beginning from the end ...
... finally brother ...
IMPERATIVE: make every effort to come
A
Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. (v4:9-11A)
IMPERATIVE: when you come, pick up Mark
B
Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. (v4:11B,12)
IMPERATIVE: bring the cloak and the books
C
When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. (v4:13)
IMPERATIVE: be on guard against Alexander
D
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. (v4:14,15)
I was abandoned by people
a
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. (v4:16)
the Lord protected me
b
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; (v4:17A)
rescued from the lion
c
and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. (v4:17B)
a grammatical change
sub-unit marker:
will be rescued from evil
c′
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, (v4:18A)
the Lord will provide protection
b′
and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; (v4:18B)
eternal presence by the Lord
a′
to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (v4:18C)
IMPERATIVE: greet some people
E
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. (v4:19,20)
IMPERATIVE: make every effort
F
Make every effort to come before winter. (v4:21A)
Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and the rest
G
Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. (v4:21B)
grace
FRAME
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. (v4:22)