Some of Paul’s Many Metaphors

METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE

From Country Life
Cattle kicking against the goad Paul’s own conversion experience, Acts 26:14
~ denying an education in the gospel
The flock ~ The church Acts 20:17–35
Shepherds ~ Elders of the church Acts 20:17–35
The olive tree ~ Israel, both Jew and Gentile Rom 11:16–24
A wild olive tree ~ From whence Gentiles came Rom 11:24
Grafting Gentiles, against their nature, Rom 11:24
~ brought into the realm of God and
the Jews

Sheep on lintel from an early church in Constantinople.

From Family Life

The marriage contract ~ Christ and the church Eph 5:27
Betrothal ~ A pledge to Christ 2Cor 11:2
One husband ~ Jesus Christ 2Cor 11:2
Bridegroom ~ Jesus Christ 2Cor 11:3
Friend of the bride Paul, presenting the Christians to Rev 19:7
~ Christ pure and righteous
The father/parent Paul the parent of his converts 1Cor 4:15; 2Cor 12:14;
~ Phlmn 10
Children Paul’s new converts 1Cor 4:15; 2Cor 12:14;
~ Phlmn 10
The human body ~ Church 1Cor 12
Head ~ Christ Eph 4:15–16; Col 2:19
Veil, woman being veiled Jews not seeing beyond the Old 2Cor 3:12–18; 4:3–6
Testament to understand Christ to
~ be the fulfillment of it

Chart - ₍₎

 METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE
From the Legal Sphere

Advocate (legal adviser) The Lord, the one who pleads our 2Tm 4:17
~ cause
Justification God forgives sinners by the grace Rom 4:25; 5:18
~ of Jesus Christ
Judge ~ God and Jesus Christ Rom 14:10; 2Cor 5:10
Those whom [the judge] sum- All people will be judged of Jesus Rom 14:10; 2Cor 5:10
moned [to] the judgment seat ~ Christ God’s executor in giving
judgment
A last will and testament God’s promises which cannot be Gal 3:15
~ annulled or amended
Citizenship, civic pride Loyalty Christians should have to Phlp 1:27; 3:20
~ Christ (not only to Rome); be as
citizens of heaven
Fellow citizens ~ Gentiles as fellow saints Eph 2:12, 19
An ambassador ~ Paul in his ministry 2Cor 5:20; Eph 6:20

Courtroom in Priene near Ephesus.

From Slavery and Freedom

Stewards, agents ~ Church leaders 1Cor 4:1; Titus 1:7

Slavery Human condition, humans in- Rom 6:6, 16, 17, 20
~ nately in service to sin
Branding, “the marks of Jesus” Paul bearing the stigmata of Jesus, Gal 6:17
~ demonstrating his devotion
Redemption of a slave ~ Christ’s blood bought the Eph 1:7
Christians freedom
Purchase of slaves by a new Believers being purchased 1Cor 6:20; 7:23
master: “You were bought at a (converted) from one master (sin)
price” ~ to another (God) at the price of
Christ’s crucifixion
A ransom ~ Jesus Christ’s atonement 1Tm 2:6

Chart - ₍₎

 METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE
From the World of Manufacturing and Marketing
A workman/mason Timothy “cutting” the word of 2Tm 2:15
~ truth to the required dimensions
Wage What God will “pay” the teacher Rom 4:4; 1Cor 3:8, 14;
~ according to his works 9:17–18
Fellow worker/partner Titus in his co-ministry with Paul 2Cor 8:23
~ to the Corinthian church
A potter ~ God Rom 9:21
Peddlers (of God’s word) Insincere teachers who water down 2Cor 2:17
~ the gospel, what Paul professes he
and his colleagues are not
A guarantee God’s promise that we belong to 2Cor 1:21–22
~ Christ
Entered into an account ~ The believer is credited to Christ 2Cor 1:21–22
A seal (“it is he who has God’s sign of ownership 2Cor 1:21–22
sealed us”) ~
An installment ~ God has put his Spirit in our hearts 2Cor 1:22
Debtors Those who are saved by grace Rom 8:12
~ who still owe it to God to live
their lives righteously
Immeasurable riches Spiritual reward for being a Eph 1:7, 18; 2:7; 3:8, 16
~ follower of Christ
Deposit Paul’s life, dedicated to Christ and 2Tm 1:12
~ entrusted to God

Jars from ancient Israel.

Chart - ₍₎

 METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE
From the World of Travel
Paul’s letter of recommenda- Corinthians (Paul’s converts in 2Cor 3:1–3
tion ~ Corinth could vouch for him as
their teacher)
Coming out to meet an official Coming up to meet Christ at his 2Cor 7:6–7; 1Th 4:17
visitor ~ coming
Helmsmanship Leadership in the church as a gift 1Cor 12:28
~ of the Spirit
To furl or reef a sail Paul assuring the Ephesian elders Acts 20:20
~ that he holds back none of the
counsels of God
Trim his sails Peter separating himself from the Gal 2:12
~ Jewish Christians
Departure ~ Death 2Tm 4:6
Haven for ships Access to God and God’s grace Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12
~ through Christ
Tossed to and fro by the waves The theological fad-following Eph 4:14
(whirled) about by every wind
~ Ephesians
Shipwreck (of their faith) Certain Ephesians rejecting their 2Cor 11:25
~ faith in Christ; Paul considered
them no longer Christian
Drowning in a “sea” of Spiritual danger of loving money 1Tm 6:9
destruction ~ more than Jesus Christ
Rom 5:7; 6:4; 8:4; 13:13;
14:15; 1Cor 3:3; 2Cor 4:2;
Walking ~ Christian life 5:7; 10:2–3; Gal 5:16;
Eph 2:1–2; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8,
15; Col 1:10; 3:5–7; 4:5;
1Th 2:12; 4:12; 2Th 3:6,11
Walk the straight line Follow the “road” Christ has set for Gal 2:14
~ us
The road blocked Satan hindering Paul in his 1Th 2:18
~ travels (specifically in his return to
the Macedonian capital)
Clear the way Hope that God instills to encour- 1Th 3:11; 2Th 3:5
~ age progress toward Christ

Oarsman on a Greek sailing vessel.

Chart - ₍₎

 METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE
From Warfare and Soldiering
Front liner Paul as the leader of the Acts 24:5
~ Nazarenes
In proper battle array Worshiping in a decent and orderly 1Cor 14:40
~ manner
Ranks Lines of believers, the first line 1Cor 15:23, 52
~ being Christ in his singular glory
Keep in step (with the Spirit) Enjoining Christian “soldiers” to set Gal 5:25
~ a pace towards likeness to Christ
Battles Trials Paul faced when he returned 2Cor 7:5
~ to Macedonia
At war Skirmishes between the flesh and Rom 7:23
~ the Spirit
Enemy ~ Flesh Rom 8:5–9
A prisoner of war He who does not accept the Savior Rom 7:7–25
~ and submits to the flesh
Weapons of warfare ~ God’s power 2Cor 10:3–6
Strongholds ~ Arguments against the Gospel 2Cor 10:4
Prisoner (of Christ) Paul Eph 3:1; 4:1; 2Tm 1:8;
~ Phlmn 1, 9
Armor of light ~ Jesus Christ Rom 13:11–13
Fiery Darts ~ Burning personal attacks Eph 6:16
The full armor ~ God’s protection Eph 6:10–18
Belt ~ Protection Eph 6:14
Breastplate ~ Virtue of righteousness Eph 6:14
Sandals Preparedness or readiness of the Eph 6:15
~ gospel of peace
Shield ~ Faith, trust in God Eph 6:16
Helmet ~ Assurance of salvation Eph 6:17
Sword ~ Word of God Eph 6: 17
Fellow soldiers ~ Epaphroditus and Archippus Phlp 2:25; Phlmn 2
A good soldier (of Jesus Christ) ~ Timothy 2Tm 2:3

Armor on gladiators from Ephesus.

Chart - ₍₎

 Race course in Aphrodesias.

METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE

From Public Shows and Sporting Events
Lead in triumph Christ as the triumphator (the head 2Cor 2:14
~ of a victory procession), leading
the apostles in his train behind him
Chariot or foot race Life in the church, the believer Phlp 3:13–14
pressing forward, never back, with
~ the goal to know Christ by endur-
ing to the end
Charioteer’s prize ~ To be like Christ Phlp 3:14
A spectacle ~ The apostles 1Cor 4:9
Fighting wild beasts ~ Costliness of Christian service 1Cor 15:32

Stadion at Delphi.

Chart - ₍₎

 METAPHOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS REFERENCE
From Village or City Life
Nighttime darkness in Children of the world in this age 1Cor 4:5; 1Th 5:5
narrow streets ~
Light ~ Children of God 1Cor 4:5; 1Th 5:5
A thief in the night ~ Jesus’ return 1Th 5:4
A doorway God opening the gospel to the Acts 14:27
~ Gentiles
An entrance Opening of Macedonia to the 1Th 1:9; 2:1
~ gospel
Scum ~ Apostles in the sight of the world 1Cor 4:13
Offscouring, filth ~ Apostles in the sight of the world 1Cor 4:13
Refuse, dung, garbage ~ Things of the world Phlp 3:8
Do not quench the fire of the Gifts of the Spirit 1Th 5:19
Spirit ~
The foundation platform of a Jesus Christ 1Cor 3:10–15
building ~
Builders and their materials ~ Teachers and teaching 1Cor 3:10–15
Buildings ~ Those who are taught 1Cor 3:10–15
Fine structures ~ Likeness to Christ 1Cor 3:10–15
Fire sweeping through Second coming of Christ 1Cor 3:10–15
wooden buildings ~
Expert builder ~ Paul 1Cor 3:10
Foundations laid Having Christ dwell in the hearts Eph 3:17
~ of the believers
Built on the foundation Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Eph 2:20–21
~ being the cornerstone
Cornerstone ~ Jesus Christ Eph 2:20
The (builder’s) mark “The Lord knows those who are 1Cor 9:2; 2Tm 2:19
~ his”; God’s seal
Fitting together in the con- Integration of the Jews and Eph 2:21; 4:16
struction of the temple ~ Gentiles
Tents, tabernacles Our spiritually nomadic state on 2Cor 5:1–5
~ earth
House ~ Solidarity from God, in heaven 2Cor 5:1–5
Utensils, vessels ~ Members in God’s household 2Tm 2:20

© 2002 Welch, Hall, FARMS Chart - ₍₎

 Paul
Chart 15-12

Some of Paul’s Many Metaphors

Explanation
The letters of Paul are difficult to understand, for many reasons. Besides his convoluted
sentence structures and huge vocabulary (see chart -), Paul loved to use metaphors.
This is fine for people who know the surrounding culture from which Paul drew those
metaphors. But for modern readers, many of these images require clarification. Chart -
displays and explains Paul’s main metaphors, drawn from the worlds of city, country, and
family life; law, slavery, and freedom; manufacturing, marketing, and travel; warfare, sports,
and entertainment. By understanding the Greek cultural worlds of Corinth, Ephesus,
Thessalonica, and the other cities where Paul worked, modern readers can better appreciate
the vivid and beautiful images invoked and evoked by his writings.

Reference
Extracted from David J. Williams, Paul’s Metaphors: Their Context and Character (Peabody,
Mass.: Hendrickson, 1999).

Charting the New Testament, © 2002 Welch, Hall, FARMS