Bible Lexicons

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

Synchoresis; or Concession

Making a Concession of one Point to gain another

Syn´-chô-ree´-sis. Greek, συλχώρησις, concession, acquiescence, consenting, from συγχωρέω (synchoreô), to come together, agree.

The figure is used when we make a concession of one point in order to gain another. In this case the concession or admission is made, and may be rightly made, in order to gain a point.

It thus differs from Epitrope (see below), where we admit something that is wrong in itself for the sake of argument.

Synchoresis, therefore, is concession, while Epitrope is admission or surrender.

The Latins called it CONCESSIO, concession, while the Greeks had another name for it, EPICHORESIS (Ep´-i-chô-ree´-sis), an agreement upon a point.

Jeremiah 12:1.-"Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk (marg. [Note: arg. Margin.] reason the case) with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?"

Habakkuk 1:13.-"Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" etc.

Romans 2:17-20.-All these claims of the Jew are admitted for the sake of argument, in order to emphasize the weighty reproof in verse 21, "Thou therefore, which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?" etc., to the end of verse 23.

1 Corinthians 4:8.-He concedes the point as to their desire to reign, but ironically adds, "I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you."

2 Corinthians 10:1.-He concedes the point that he was base among them: but verses 2 and 11 show that he does so only to gain another point. So in 12:16.

Galatians 4:15.-The apostle grants the fact, which was indisputable, as to the great friendship and love that existed between himself and the Galatian saints; in order to gain another point, and add to his argument, when he asks in the next verse, "Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?"

James 2:19.-"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."