S[SIZE=-1]EC[/SIZE]. 66. I[SIZE=-1]RONY[/SIZE].--From the Greek
eironeia, dissimulation; as a figure, it means to dissemble in speech--to say one thing, while another is meant. Webster says of this word:
[SIZE=-1] "A kind of ridicule which exposes the errors or faults of others by seeming to adopt, approve, or defend them; apparent assent to a proposition given, with such a tone, or under such circumstances, that opposite opinions or feelings are implied."
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Irony can be detected (1) by a statement made by the author: he sometimes says that certain things were said in mockery. (2) It is sometimes apparent from the tone or accent, or the manner of the speaker. (3) Sometimes it will be recognized by the character of the address: if the speaker has been dealing in that kind of dissimulation for the purpose of ridicule, it will be the easier detected. (4) The extravagance of praise, when we know both the subject and the author, will enable us to note the intent. (5) When the language was used [316] orally, and has been printed, there may be nothing in the form of words to denote that it was an ironical speech; but if we can get the opinion of those who were present, it will assist us; for they would be able to discover in the tone or the accent what has been lost to us by distance and time.
The Scriptures contain many examples of irony, but, with the rules we have given already for its detection, we will cite but a few, for the real meaning in any case is not difficult.
[SIZE=-1] "And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is musing, or he is gone aside, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked" (I. Kings xviii. 27).
"And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go up, and prosper; and the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord? And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" (I. Kings. xxii. 15-18).
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There is nothing in the form of this address that would enable us to discern the irony in it. But Ahab knew the man, and perhaps detected in the tone and accent of the speech the ironical under-current.
[SIZE=-1] "No doubt but ye are the people,
And wisdom shall die with you" (Job xii. 2).
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The wisdom these men supposed they possessed, but did not possess, made it necessary that the patriarch [317] should deal in a very rugged language to bring them to their senses.
[SIZE=-1] "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress" (Judg. x. 14).
"Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have reigned without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonour Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now" (I. Cor. iv. 8-13).
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The wisdom that this church supposed they possessed, but did not possess, made it necessary that the apostle should deal in very rugged language to bring them to their senses.
[SIZE=-1] "But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine" (Acts ii. 13).
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Of course they meant to be understood as saying that they were drunk; but being full of sweet wine would not make them drunk. They meant what we now mean when we say of a man that "
he is happy," or that he "
he is full of milk." They say one thing, but mean another.
S[SIZE=-1]EC[/SIZE]. 67. S[SIZE=-1]ARCASM[/SIZE].--This is from the Greek
sarkasmos, from
sarkadzein, to tear flesh like dogs; to bite the lips in rage; to speak bitterly; to sneer. Webster says of it: [318]
[SIZE=-1] "A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest."
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It is so related to irony that it is quite common for them to be regarded as the same. It differs, however, from the usual form of irony in its severity and evident spitefulness. It is only used for the purpose of reproof and condemnation, and when the soul is too angry to secrete its bitterness. It is used to condemn some action by seeming to order it, or decide the claims of those who are condemned.
[SIZE=-1] "And they plaited a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matt. xxvii. 29).
"In like manner also the chief priests mocking him among themselves with the scribes said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe" (Mark xv. 31, 32).
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The Saviour uses sarcasm in His fierce condemnation of the self-righteousness of the Jews. They were punctilious in the payment of tithing on mint and dill and rue; they were strict in keeping the traditions of the fathers, but had little respect for the authority of God Himself.
[SIZE=-1] "And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition" (Mark vii. 9).
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In Paul's anger at the high priest at Jerusalem (Acts xxiii. 3-5), he gives vent to his feelings by the use of this figure.
And when God told the Jews to get drunk and spew, He used the severest form of sarcasm. [319]
lol