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(1)
Absolute.--Here the omitted word or words are to be supplied from the
nature of the subject alone.
(2)
Relative.--Here the omission is suggested by the context.
(3)
Repetitive.--Here the omitted word or words are to be supplied from a
clause which precedes or follows.
The original of Eph. 4: 9, "Now that He ascended", reads as in the R.V., "Now this,
He ascended". We must supply the Ellipsis and say: "Now this fact" or "Now this
expression, He ascended, what is it (or what does it imply) if not this, that He also
descended first into the lower parts of the earth?"
In Phil. 3: 12 the apostle says that he was not already "perfect"; yet in verse 15 he is
represented as saying, "Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded". As
there is no verb in the original, we are at liberty to substitute the words "desire to be"
before "perfect", and so keep the passage in harmony with the context.
A most important passage in connection with our subject is II Tim. 3: 16. The A.V.
reads: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable." The R.V. reads:
"Every scripture inspired by God is also profitable."
The following passages are identical in their construction with II Tim. 3: 16: "All
things are naked and opened" (Heb. 4: 13). According to the principle of II Tim. 3: 16
R.V. this would read: "All naked things are also opened" (which does not make sense).
"Many are weak and sickly" (I Cor. 11: 30). This would read: "Many weak ones are
also sickly" (which tells us nothing).
There are altogether nine passages of this sort in the N.T., all of similar construction:
Rom. 7: 12; I Cor. 11: 30; II Cor. 10: 10; I Tim. 1: 15, 4: 9; I Tim. 2: 3; I Tim. 4: 4;
Heb. 4: 13; and II Tim. 3: 16. In all except II Tim. 3: 16, the Revisers follow the
A.V. They single out II Tim. 3: 16, and supply a wrong ellipsis, thus robbing the
passage of its point, and the epistle of its testimony to the inspiration of Scripture.
The reader will realize that we cannot attempt in these pages anything beyond the
most superficial analysis of this great theme of Figures of Speech. Dr. Bullinger found
1104 pages none too many, and our complete output for one year's Berean Expositor is
but 240. The examination of Ellipsis alone occupies 130 pages in Dr. Bullinger's work.
The reader will see, therefore, that anything more than indication is beyond us.
Let us pass on for a moment to the second figure. Zeugma.--This means a "yoke",
and the figure is so called because one verb is yoked on to two subjects, while strictly it
refers only to one of them. The second verb is omitted:--
"And Adah bare Jabal; he was the father of such as dwell in tents and . . . . . cattle"
(Gen. 4: 20).
The A.V. supplies the missing verb by putting in italics "such as have".