Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 40

EMPHATIC SENTENCES (Part 2)

Attention in this lesson is directed to three additional sentence constructions that lift ideas out of the commonplace and make them worthy of special notice. These emphatic structures are balanced sentences, three-part sentences, and sentences developing climax.

Generally, the balanced sentence is a compound sentence, containing two or more clauses adapted to comparison or contrast. If comparison is used, the balanced sentence is said to use parallelism; if contrast, it uses antithesis. The material must lend itself to balance to be effective. Balance of ideas is shown by a balance of sentence structure. That is, one clause is balanced against another by both following the same structural arrangement. Balance is not limited to clauses, but may be carried into phrases and words.

First consider sentences that are balanced by use of comparison or parallelism. The Bible abounds in parallel structure. Psalm 19:1 reads: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Note that these two single sentences combined to make one compound sentence are similar not only in structure but also in thought content. Both idea and structure are parallel. Following are two compound sentences using very obvious parallelism, but with telling force: "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the

LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." (Ps. 19:7,8) In the previous lesson Jesus' words recorded at Matthew 7:14 were quoted to illustrate the emphasis gained by transposition, but, considering verse 13 with verse 14, it is seen that his words were made twice as emphatic by the added use of parallelism: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." On another occasion Jesus used very simple parallelism, saying, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." —Matt. 11: 30.

Jesus' language is simple. It does not draw upon long and unusual words. Yet, it has power and vigor. Like all the Bible language, its emphasis is outstanding. But, in addition to emphasis, it has a simple beauty and harmony unmatched. No finer example of composition exists than the Bible. Let the Kingdom publisher note that this strong appeal and force does not come through use of flowery phrase, but does come through careful arrangement of simple words understood by all. Balanced sentences contribute their share to not only the emphasis but also the beauty of Bible writing. The other type of balanced sentence, the one using contrast or antithesis, will add weight to this claim.

Jesus frequently used antithesis in his conversations with his disciples and others. For example, at John 8:23: "He said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world." Here the contrast is clear. Note that in antithesis there are two thought units of a related but contrasted meaning balanced against each other. Again, at Matthew 25:2: "And five of them wore wise, and five were foolish." Thus antithesis sets one word or idea in opposition or contrast to another word or idea for purposes of emphasis. Note how much hungrier,

thirstier, more ashamed, sorrowful, and vexed Satan's servants seem to become when their condition is thrown into contrast with that of Jehovah's servants by balanced structure using antithesis: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit." (Isa. 65:13,14) The Bible book called Proverbs is filled with antithesis, and this, along with the terseness and economy of words, makes for emphasis.

Now for some consideration of three-part sentences. This is the use of sentences having three parts, each part being a separate and distinct idea but related to the other two parts. As a rule, the parts should be short and rather simple, that their meaning can be readily grasped and the association easily made. More than three parts might cause the sentence to become involved, but the three are sometimes more effective than two because a cumulative force is gained. Also, there seems to be a certain rhythm and beauty gained that has a pleasing effect upon the reader or hearer. All this contributes to the cause of emphasis, as demonstrated by the following examples: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. 7:7) "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." (1 Cor. 3:6) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7) Almost invariably three-part sentences follow parallel structure.

The final means of gaining emphasis to be considered is climax. Climax is taken from the Greek language, and literally means a ladder or staircase. In writing, it is a series of words or phrases or ideas so arranged that each succeeding one rises above its predecessor in force and impressiveness. They are arranged according to their relative importance, the last position being the one of greatest

emphasis. At Luke 6: 38 these expressions are so arranged: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." "Running over" is here seen to climax the "good measure" that is "pressed down" and "shaken together''. Climax is applied to numerical increase, at Mark 4:8: "Brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." Two more examples: "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." (Rom. 5: 3, 4) "But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love." —1 Cor. 13:13, Am. Stan. Ver.