In one’s effort to correctly handle or rightly divide the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15), it is important to be able to understand when a passage is figurative or literal. It can result in a great difference in interpretation. For example, the Psalmist states, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalms 18:2). If taken literally, God would be a rock, a tower, and a horn. But understood figuratively, it speaks of the God in whom we can trust, who is steadfast and strong, and who can protect us.
How can one tell if a passage is literal or figurative? If the passage demands actions that are wrong, or prevent those that are good, it likely is figurative. For example, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brother and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). If one takes this literally, he would have to hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters.
But a figurative understanding would teach us that we are to love the Lord more than even those of our own family (cf. Matt. 22:37). Sometimes there is difficulty in understanding something figuratively because the reader will fail to understand that something is spoken with sarcasm, with irony, or mockery. For example, the apostle Paul spoke harshly of Ananias the high priest, and in reply, “and they that stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
A literal interpretation would have one to believe that Paul did not know that he was the high priest. But likely it is spoken in sarcasm, as one author paraphrased what Paul was saying, “Pardon me, friends; I should not have known that he was high priest if you had not informed me; he has acted more like a leader of a mob than a high priest.” The context will help you to determine the author’s intent.
Let us feel secure in knowing that Jesus is truly our strength and our comfort!
If you have not done so, why not obey him today?