So, I’m sure you’ve tried to persuade someone before…
• Maybe someone gave you free tickets and you tried to convince a friend to go to a show.
• Perhaps you wanted your family to try this really good restaurant.
• You might recall a time when others talked you into doing something.
I have found this to be the case in my life on so many occasions. One of my jobs is at a grocery store, and the assistant manager tries to persuade me to buy a snack that was reduced in price. That's a small decision.
Career-related options make for a tough decision, because I am listening to multiple voices trying to persuade me to go in this or that direction.
In Bible times, persuasion was very common. Bible Books, passages, and verses contain what is called rhetoric.
What is Rhetoric?
Rhetoric in ancient times was the art of persuasion and was a major part of first-century culture including education. The goal was to convert an individual or audience to some kind of belief system or to take some sort of action.
Ancient authors used both the formal and logical style of rhetoric as well as the more emotional category.
1. Rhetorical skills and techniques included…
• Fable
• Narrative
• Chreia (short, memorable sayings)
• Proverb
You'll find many others as well. For further study, see Dr. Ben Witherington's New Testament Rhetoric or Michael Halcomb's Introducing Rhetoric: An Illustrated & Interactive Guide.
Example of Rhetorical Skill Used
Mark 14:9: Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout
the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
A woman had taken an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and anointed Jesus with it.
The above rhetorical statement in reference to the woman is meant to be a memorable saying of Jesus. The passage leading up to Mark 14:9 makes up a rhetorical passage. Mark 14:9 is the main part of the overall rhetorical device called chreia.
In Mark 14:9, Jesus clearly expresses how special the woman’s action was—so much so, that what she did for Jesus would be told for generations to come.
The encouragement to our faith is that what we do for Christ matters in this world. Jesus considers our loving actions directed toward Him to be special.
One can have a sense of purpose in life after reading this verse.
Three Kinds of Rhetoric
Listed below are the three kinds of rhetoric:
1. law-oriented, attack/defense (regarding the past)
2. Advice-oriented (for future)
3. Praise/blame (present)
Examples from Scripture
Here is an example of one of the three kinds of rhetoric from 1 Corinthians 13:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”
I Corinthians 13 is the kind of rhetoric that praises (# 3 above) love, according to Bible scholar Dr. Ben Witherington 111.
As in the above passage, the rhetoric of praise encourages us to grow in our love for others.
Reading such a rhetorically saturated passage also gives us an appreciation for who God is and helps us trust in His attributes amid the challenges in one’s life journey.
Rhetorical Structure
The following is a general outline of the structure of rhetoric found in the Bible.
Specifically, these elements apply to whole Books of the Bible.
Here is the list presented in layman’s terms:
1. Intro/Greeting
2. Explanation of the Situation
3. Thesis statement
4. Arguments
5. Countering of Arguments
6. Summary and final emotional appeal
Examples from Scripture
The first few verses from 2 John show clearly the purpose of the letter…
The elder,
To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth…
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Encouragement from Rhetorical Structure
If we look at a thesis statement like the one above…“Love one another” or “walk in love…,”You’ll find some valuable insights to your Christian faith.
Seeing this verse as the main overall purpose of the letter encourages the reader in a difficult situation to respond lovingly (See verses 7-11).
The encouragement spiritually is to walk and grow in God’s love.
Notice also the command is to walk in truth and love. A proper balance between doctrine and Christ-like love for others is essential.
Apply this passage by walking in love amidst doctrinal issues that come up.
Also, if the temptation is there to stray from what the Bible says, 2 John's instruction is to stay immersed in the truth of Scripture.
Conclusion
Rhetoric is something to be mindful of when reading the Scriptures. The reason is that’s how ancient readers would have understood the texts.
Scripture was meant to be read aloud in a rhetorical context. Reading Scripture in this way can help strengthen your faith due to the persuasive tone of the passages…
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
How to Study the Bible in Context | Encouragement Scriptures