Bible Lexicons

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

Oxymoron; or Wise-Folly

A Wise saying that seems Foolish

Ox´-y-mô´-ron. Greek, ὀξύμωρον, from ὀξύς (oxus), sharp, pointed, and μωρός (môros), dull, foolish.

This is a figure, in which what is said at first sight appears to be foolish, yet when we come to consider it, we find it exceedingly wise.

It is a smart saying, which unites words whose literal meanings appear to be incongruous, if not contradictory; but they are so cleverly and wisely joined together as to enhance the real sense of the words. The Latins called it ACUTIFATUUM (a-cu´-ti-fat´-u-um), from acutus, sharp or pointed (English, acute), and fatuus, foolish, fatuous, or simple.

Examples from General Literature are common:-

Cicero says to Catiline:-

"Thy country, silent, thus addresses thee."

Milton shows to Despair:-

"In the lowest depth a lower depth."

Examples abound in common use: e.g., "cruel kindness"; "Festina lente" (hasten slowly); "cruel love"; "blessed misfortunes."

Many Americanisms are Oxymorons: e.g., "powerful weak," "cruel easy," etc., etc.

The Scriptures have many examples: which are very instructive, because God’s wisdom is esteemed foolish by man, and is yet so wiseas to be far beyond his comprehension. This affords a wide field for the use of this most expressive figure.

Job 22:6.-"And stripped the naked of their clothing."

Here the figure Synecdoche (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ) turns the phrase into a powerful Oxymoron.

Isaiah 58:10.-"Thy darkness shall be as the noon-day." See under Antimetathesis.

Jeremiah 22:19.-"He shall be buried with the burial of an ass": i.e., not buried at all; he shall have an unburied burial! Compare 2 Chronicles 36:6, and Jeremiah 36:30; and see under Enallage.

Matthew 6:23.-"If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness."

How can light be darkness? The Oxymoron arises from the Metonymy by which "light" is put for the human wisdom of the natural man, which is darkness (Ephesians 4:18).

Matthew 16:25.-"Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Acts 5:41.-"Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

This may sound folly to the natural man, but those who have been "made wise" understand it. The two contrary Greek words mark the Oxymoron more emphatically:-καταξιοῦσθαι (kataxiousthai), to be accounted very worthy, and ἀτιμασθῆναι (atimastheenai), to be treated as unworthy, or with indignity. (See under Metonymy).

1 Corinthians 1:25.-"The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

See under Parechesis, Metonymy (of Adjunct), and Catachresis.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 is a beautiful and elaborate Oxymoron; in order to enhance the conclusion "that no flesh should glory in his presence."

1 Corinthians 9:17.-"If I do this thing willingly (ἑκών, without wages), I have a reward (μισθόν, wages)."

See under Paronomasia and Meiosis.

2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 6:8-10.-"Approving ourselves as the ministers of God …

As deceivers, and yet true;

As unknown, and yet well-known;

As dying, and, behold, we live;.…

As chastened, and not killed;

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;

As poor, yet making many rich;

As having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

2 Corinthians 8:2.-"Their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."

This is a most elegant Oxymoron.

2 Corinthians 12:10.-"When I am weak, then am I strong."

This is folly to the natural man, but blessed truth to those who know by experience the true wisdom.

2 Corinthians 12:11.-"In nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing."

Ephesians 3:8.-"Less than the least of all saints." This pleasing Oxymoron emphasises the apostle’s growth in grace (i.e., in his knowledge of what grace was to him, and what it had done for him). Before this, (in a.d. 60), he said: "I was not behind the very chiefest apostles" (2 Corinthians 11:5) In a.d. 62, he could say that he was "less than the least of all saints," while, later than this, (a.d. 67), his knowledge of God’s grace made him see himself as "the chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15-16). See under Meiosis.

1 Timothy 5:6.-"She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth."

This Oxymoron arises from a latent Ploce (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ), the word "dead" denoting the absence of spiritual life: "dead in trespasses and sins."