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Asyndeton (or "No ands".).--There is something dramatic in the use of this figure.
We are not allowed to pause, but are hurried on to the climax:--
"Now if any build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest" (I Cor. 3: 12, 13).
We do not pause to consider each item, but are hurried on to the day when "every
man's work shall be made manifest", declared by fire.
The figure opposite to this is called Polysyndeton, or "Many ands", and has just the
opposite effect, causing one to stop and linger over each word or phrase.
Aphaeresis (or "Front cut") is seen in the change of name of the king who once was
known as "Jeconiah" ("Let Jehovah establish") to "Coniah", of whom it was said, "Write
this man childless" (Jer. 22: 30).
Of the figures we have looked at, Ellipsis is by far the most important, and to enable
the reader to appreciate this, we will conclude by a further analysis of Relative Ellipsis.
Relative Ellipsis.
(1)
WHERE THE OMITTED WORD IS SUPPLIED FROM A cognate
WORD, OCCURRING IN THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT.--A good
example is found in the italic type supplied by the A.V. in Rom. 12: 6-8.
(2)
WHERE THE OMITTED WORD IS SUPPLIED FROM A contrary
WORD.--Rom. 6: 17 must not be read as though the apostle thanked God
that any were the servants of sin. The word "though" must be supplied:
"Though ye were the servants of sin, yet ye have obeyed."
(3)
WHERE THE OMITTED WORD IS SUPPLIED FROM analogous OR
related WORDS.--Rom. 16: 16 does not give sanction for men and
women to kiss one another indiscriminately. The Ellipsis to be supplied is,
"Salute one another (men and women respectively) with a holy kiss".
We trust none will allow themselves to be deterred by the strange names of these
figures, or the apparent difficulties attending their study. No pains are too great that
enable us to grow in knowledge of the Word, and as we proceed, further and fuller
advantages attending this study will become apparent.