30. Comparison and Contrast

Comparison and Contrast

Chapter 29

Classification not only reveals similarities but dissimilarities, and both are equally important to a full understanding of truth. Divergences may be as instructive as convergences. Colors never appear to so much advantage as when in strong contrast and often beauty and excellence are seen best when confronted and contrasted with their opposites. In scripture study, therefore, it is needful patiently to gather particulars in order to discover not only wherein they agree, but wherein they differ. Separation is often as important as combination.

Again, we repeat:

Scripture must be compared with itself, carefully and minutely. The comparative frequency with which words or phrases recur, and in what connection, is of the utmost significance and importance, suggesting singular confirmations of truth, progressive teaching and instructive variations and complementary ideas. The two Testaments will be seen as mutual counterparts and even their differences as not discordances but essential to correspondence and completeness.

Comparison often becomes contrast by revealing unlikeness as well as likeness. To observe wherein things differ is as important for classification as to discover wherein they agree. In the Scriptures truth is often taught by placing side by side two or more precepts, persons, events or experiences which are opposite or apposite to each other, that attention may the more surely be called to their joint lesson. The two narratives of blind Bartimeus and the publican Zaccheus, both men of Jericho, are companion accounts and should not be separated by chapter division. They illustrate three diversities: those of human need; of modes of approach to Christ; and of His dealing with souls; yet behind this diversity, the sublime unity of His love, compassion and power to save and help.

Law and grace are constantly held up in contrast:

Similar contrasts are presented between the old and new, the former and latter things, the two Covenants, the present evil age and the age and ages to come, etc. A most instructive contrast is suggested when we set, side by side, John 16:8-11, and Acts 24:25. In each case there is a threefold conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment; in one case wrought by the Spirit and gospel of grace in a penitent sinner; in the other, by conscience and the terrors of the law in an unrepenting evil doer. The Spirit leads to Salvation; the law and conscience only to despair and remorse. Dr. A.J. Gordon put the contrast very forcibly:

Worldly and Heavenly Wisdom are often contrasted, as in 1 Corinthians 1-3, and particularly in the following points:

The contrast between the use and abuse of temporal possessions may be seen vividly by comparing Luke 12:33-34 with 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

Contrast is manifestly meant in 1 Corinthians 3:12 :

“Gold, silver, precious stones”—“Wood, hay, stubble.” The former, advancing in value; the latter decreasing. Wood may be wrought, carved, polished into artistic beauty though still unable to endure the ordeal of fire; even hay, more inflammable, is useful for fodder; but stubble is mere refuse fit only for the fuel for flame. How delicately is here suggested that worldly wisdom, though it cannot stand God’s searching tests, may present many beautiful forms in poetry, art and philosophy; and deceive by outward attractiveness. And there seems a designed descent from these highest forms of culture, toward the lower sensuous levels of worldliness and selfishness, and at last the most degrading and debasing sensuality and bestiality; on the other hand we may build upon the rock foundation a character and conduct, teaching and living, which will not only be as enduring as precious metals, surviving the fiery ordeal, but purified by it, and shining with the luster and radiance of gems.

2 Corinthians 4:7 to 2 Corinthians 5:9 is a paragraph of continuous contrasts, between what is seen and unseen, temporal and eternal, outward and inward, visible and invisible, material and spiritual, earthly and heavenly; between affliction and glory, being at home in the body and at home with the Lord, faith and sight, dying and living. Of all these ten contrasts, the former members of each belong in one group and are akin; the latter members equally inseparable. What is seen, temporal, etc., belong to the realm of death; what is unseen and eternal to the realm of Life, and sight and faith are the respective organs of vision in the two realms; only sight which rightly sees in its own sphere, is blind to the other and cannot interpret the relation of the two; but faith not only sees its own realm, but all that sight sees beside, and is a true interpreter of both realms. Sight refuses what faith chooses and inversely, and knows only the present, while faith foretastes the future.

Satan as Hinderer is contrasted with the Holy Spirit as Helper (1 Thessalonians 2:18; Romans 8:26, etc.). In these leading texts, the words are most meaningful. To “hinder” means to cut into, as a trench is dug to hinder an approaching foe: and “helpeth” hints at lending a hand, giving a lift with another. These two simple texts array the spirit of all evil and the Spirit of all good in opposition to each other: the one to obstruct our way and prevent progress; the other to take hold with us, helping us lift and carry our load, and urging us forward. The new man and the old man or man of old—the former unregenerate self—(Romans 6:5-14; Colossians 3:5-14; Ephesians 4:22-24). The metaphor—two men with all that pertains to a man—is consistently maintained; each is represented as having his own individual image, members, attire, walk, standing and state, and master. The old man bears the image of the world, flesh, devil; and his fatherhood is of the devil; his members, the lusts of the flesh, and of the eyes and the pride of life, to be mortified—they are members of unrighteousness, used unto sin that leads to death and must be put to death to avoid incurring deeper death. The attire of the old man is his habits, to be put off as infected and defiling, unbecoming the new man, etc. He has his walk or manner of life, his path away from God, his standing—condemnation, and his state—corruption; dead in trespasses and sins, incapable of holy fellowship, his master is sin and Satan. The new man is God’s own Creation. His attire is supernatural and sevenfold, with love as the girdle about all the rest, his main ornament the meek and quiet spirit. His walk with God, his path onward and upward; His standing, acceptance in the beloved; his state, righteousness and holiness; complete in Christ, his Master the Lord Jesus himself, etc. The value of careful comparison is always found to be twofold; revealing both points of likeness and unlikeness, it teaches both by resemblance and by contrast. For example, in Ephesians and Colossians are two passages of Scripture so strikingly alike as to suggest a designed parallelism; yet so far unlike as to suggest a designed appositeness, each complementing the other, and together exhibiting the complete truth. The double column will help in comparing the corresponding clauses and showing points of likeness and unlikeness.

These passages are obviously meant as companions—both a lesson on privilege and power of being filled, the first with the Spirit, and the second, with the Word. Both exhort children to obedience to parents: one because it is ethically right: the other, because it is spiritually well pleasing unto the Lord. One reminds us that for whatsoever good thing anyone doeth he shall receive of the Lord; and the other that for whatsoever wrong, and in both cases without respect of persons. And so at every point the comparison and contrast both help to convey the complete conception and instruction designed. We put in capitals the leading injunctions, and change the punctuation to what seems the more correct.