Bible Lexicons

Bullinger's Figures of Speech Used in the BibleBullinger's Figures of Speech

Anacoenosis; or Common Cause

An Appeal to others as having interests in Common

An´-a-cœ-nô´-sis. Greek, ἀνακοίνωσις (anakoinosis), from ανακοινοῦν (anakoinoun), to communicate; from ἀνά (ana), up, and κοινοῦν (koinoun), to make common (from κοινός, koinos, common).

A Figure by which a speaker appeals to his opponents for their opinion, as having a common interest in the matter in question: as, "If the case were yours, how would you act?" or "What do you think about it?" or "What would you say?"

The Greeks also called it SYMBOULESIS (sym-boul-ee´-sis, συμβόυλησις, a counselling together: from σύν (sun or syn), together, and βουλή, a counselling. Hence, βουλεύìεσθαι (bouleuesthai), to deliberate.

The Latins called it COMMUNICATIO, a making common.

The figure is an appeal to the feelings or opinions of others, which they have in common with ourselves, and to which we submit the matter.

When this is done by way of question, it is a form of Erotesis (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

Isaiah 5:3-4.-"And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could I have done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?" etc.

Malachi 1:6.-"If then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name."

Luke 11:19.-"If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges."

Acts 4:19.-"But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."

1 Corinthians 4:21.-"What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?"

1 Corinthians 10:15.-"I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say."

1 Corinthians 11:13-14.-"Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?"

Galatians 4:21.-"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?"

See also Jeremiah 23:23. Galatians 3:1-2; Galatians 3:5, etc.