Friday Greetings - June 5

Inverted Righteousness

Verbal irony is when one thing is said, but the opposite is meant. The contrast between expectation and reality emphasizes the speaker's intended meaning. Irony is a powerful rhetorical tool, but some people seem incapable of discerning it. They hear what is said literally rather than ironically, and the point is lost on them.

The writers of scripture were masters of rhetoric. In 1 Corinthians 1:25, Paul says, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” God isn’t actually foolish, but to those who are overconfident in their own wisdom, God’s ways appear foolish. God isn’t actually weak, but to those who feel powerful because of their own strength, God’s ways seem weak. Paul says one thing but means another. He also helps his listeners by explaining the irony.

But not all scriptural irony comes with a built-in cheat code. For example, Jesus says in Matthew 9:13, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” The usual explanation for this puzzling saying is that since no one is truly righteous, Jesus is saying he’s come for everybody. That’s true only at a superficial level. Why not just say, “I have come to call everybody”?

Why use irony here, Lord? If you want to know the answer, join us for worship this coming Sunday. The Lord’s Table is always open at Centenary.

~Pastor Vann