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are used to convict him justly. Judah represents the people of God; and Joseph the
Redeemer--Who, though He did no sin, was sold into bondage, was falsely accused and
punished, and finally was the instrument in the hands of God for the restoration of his
fallen brethren. Such is the lesson to be learnt from this "Digression".
Metabasis, or "Transition", is derived from the Greek words meta "beyond" and
bainein "to step". It indicates a stepping from one thing to another. In I Cor. 12:, the
apostle is dealing with spiritual gifts, and in verse 31 hints that there is something more
excellent. This he elaborates in his magnificent chapter 13: concerning love.
Epanorthosis, or "Correction", is derived from the Greek epi "upon", ana "up" or
"again", and orthoun "to set straight". This correction" may be of three kinds: absolute,
partial, or conditional. As an example of absolute Epanorthosis, we may take
Rom. 15: 4:--
"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or
falleth." (And then, remembering the blessed fact that the security of all the redeemed is
assured, the apostle adds) "Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him
stand".
As an example of partial or relative Epanorthosis, we may take Gal. 2: 20:
"Nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Or again, in Gal. 4: 9: "But
now, after that ye have known God: or rather, are known of God."
For an example of the figure of conditional Epanorthosis we may turn to Gal. 3: 4:
"Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain."
An example of the figure Amphidiorthosis, or "Double Correction", is found in
I Cor. 11: 22: "What am I to say to you? Commend you herein? No, indeed."
Anachoresis, or "Regression", is derived from the Greek ana "back", and choresis
"withdraw". An example of this figure which will be of interest to all believers of the
dispensation of the mystery occurs in Eph. 3::--
"FOR THIS CAUSE I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles--
(This comes a long parenthesis, in which the apostle justifies the claim made in
verse 1 by revealing the truth concerning his reception of the mystery and its
stewardship. He then returns to his original statement in verse 14).
FOR THIS CAUSE I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3: 1-14).
To this list of figures dealing with subject-matter we will add the one figure that deals
with "time". This is Prolepsis, or "Anticipation", from pro "before" and lambano " to
take". In this figure the future is spoken of as though it were actually present. A familiar
example is found in the prophetic Psalms, especially those that commence with the words
"The Lord reigneth".