Bible Lexicons

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

Association; or Inclusion

When the Writer or Speaker associates himself with those whom he addresses

This name is given to the Figure because the writer or speaker turns, and (1) includes himself in what he says for others: (2) or, vice versa, includes others in what he says of himself; (3) or, includes many in what he says of one.

We have examples in

Acts 17:27.-"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us."

Ephesians 2:1-3.-"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past," etc.

Titus 3:1-3.-After speaking of the exhortations to be given to others, the apostle includes himself when he comes to speak of the state and condition of every sinner by nature. "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish," etc.

Hebrews 3:6.-"But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we."

Hebrews 10:25.-"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is."

Sometimes this turning to include others is only apparent. That is to say, there may be a change from the immediate context, but not from the real continuation as shown by the structure.

See Hebrews 1:1-14 and ii:-

A 1:1, 2-. God speaking to "us."

B -2-14. The Son (God) "better than the angels" ("them").

A 2:1-4. God speaking to "us."

B 5-18. The Son (man) "lower than the angels" ("them").

Here 2:1 is the real continuation of 1:2-, and not of 1:14; while 2:5 is the real continuation of 1:14, and not of 2:4.

So that the change of persons here is only apparent, and does not arise from the Figure Association.