Biblical Eloquence in 1 John 1

St. John begins his recount of the Gospel of Christ and his ministry in a very interesting way. He grabs our attention by relating parts of his text to the rhetorical tool, simile. He relates objects to God, giving the objects a more significantly powerful meaning. Rhetorically and poetically this form of writing helps emphasize how important something such as scripture, or the "word", is relatively important to our relationship with God and how we view him.

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Even though we know the word, being referred here to as scripture, wasn't literally conceived from God, we understand through this form of rhetoric that it is through God that everything we read and interpret spiritually will bring us closer to him.

Verses four and five are also an extended type of simile, or can be more related to the topic of invention: Genus/species. Here John explains that the Lord is the creator of life and that life equals the light of men. From this origin of understanding John then poetically ties in that light will always shine in darkness- and the darkness implies that there is an opposing force to God, who we commonly know as Satan, that can't comprehend light.

I think there are many rhetorical tools that prophets in the bible used unintentionally. To their advantage, it emphasized their points very well. This rhetorical analysis helped me realize how much more depth is added when you understand their biblical eloquence.