Bible Lexicons

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

Epitimesis; or Reprimand

An Expression of Feeling by way of Censure, Reproof, or Reproach

Ep´-i-ti-mee´-sis. Greek, ἐπιτίμησις, reproof, reprimand, from ἐπιτιμάω (epitimao), to put a price upon, from τιμή (timee), worth or value.

It is also called EPIPLEXIS, ep´-i-pleex´-is. Greek, ἐπίπληξις, chastisement, punishment, blame.

The figure is used, where a rebuke, reproof, or reproach is conveyed.

Seeing that God’s ways and thoughts are the opposite of man’s, it is impossible that God should speak to man without many rebukes and reproaches.

These are of various kinds; and some have their own special names, as will be seen below.

We give merely one or two by way of example, and as showing what we may learn from them.

Luke 9:55.-"He turned, and rebuked them (James and John), and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." etc.

Luke 24:25.-"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken."

This was the rebuke for Jewish disciples, but Christians to-day need it as much: for both believe and receive some Scriptures, but not "ALL."

The Jews received the passages which spoke of Christ’s "glory," but rejected those that told of His "sufferings": and Christians to-day are guilty of the opposite folly.

The Jews thought the Lord Jesus was not good enough for the world, and so they cast Him out. Christians, to-day, think they have not yet made the world good enough for Christ, and so would fain keep Him out.

Both take a part of the truth, and put it for the whole; and both, therefore, come under this solemn rebuke.

The correction for the folly of both is given in the words which follow, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, AND to enter into his glory?" The Jews thought the former humiliating; and Christians call the latter "carnal": and so Jews reject the Scriptures which testify of the sufferings, and Christians neglect the Prophecies which speak of Christ’s coming glories.

The Holy Spirit saith (2 Peter 1:19), concerning these prophecies, ‘The world is a dark place; and ye do well to take heed to the only light in it.’ Christians, to-day, say that prophecy is a dark place, and ye do well to avoid it!

Romans 9:20.-"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" etc. See this passage also under Apostrophe and Prosopopœia.