We should take a passage to be figurative when:

A literal understanding contradicts another passage.

It is said to be figurative.

A literal understanding contradicts known facts/common sense.

We should not take a passage to be figurative just because it contradicts our beliefs.

Figures of speech

Types:

Pleonasm (redundancy): “When more words are used than the grammar requires” (Bullinger). Example: That is a true fact.

Hyperbole (exaggeration): “When more is said than is literally meant” (Bullinger). Example: Everybody knows that.

Metonymy (change of noun): “The change of one noun for another related noun” (Bullinger). Example: Let’s get a head count. Example: He couldn’t give up the bottle. Head for ‘person,’ bottle for ‘alcohol.’

Synecdoche (transfer): “The exchange of one idea for another associated idea” (Bullinger). “We speak of the whole by a part, or a part by using a term denoting the whole” (Dungan). Example: He’s running from the law. The word law (the whole) refers to the cop chasing him (the part).

Simile (resemblance): “A declaration that one thing resembles another” (Bullinger). Example: He was hot as a firecracker.

Metaphor (representation): “A declaration that one thing is (or represents) another” (Bullinger). Example: During the time of the judges, Israel was on a rollercoaster.

Parabola (parable, continued simile): “Comparison by continued resemblance” (Bullinger).

Not-But: “The writers of the New Testament have adopted the Hebrew manner of comparison” (MacKnight).

Examples

Luke 2:1 - hyperbole

Romans 13:4 - metonymy

John 4:39 - hyperbole

Luke 15:4 - hyperbole

I Samuel 25:37 - hyperbole, simile

Psalms 23:1 - metaphor

James 1:12 - metonymy

Psalms 34:16 - pleonasm

Matthew 9:36 - simile

Acts 5:4 - not-but

Luke 16:29 - metonymy

Matthew 5:13-14 - metaphor

Matthew 13:3 - parable

Matthew 6:19-20 - not-but

Song of Solomon 4:1 - simile

Romans 10:13 - metonymy

The Holy Spirit used figures of speech to explain heavenly things using earthly concepts. In some cases, figures of speech were used to obscure a message from those it was not intended for. In other cases, figures of speech were used to emphasize particular concepts.

Titus 2:3-5

Reverent in their behavior

I Peter 3:3-4

Not malicious gossips

Not enslaved to much wine

This does not imply that having a little wine is okay.

Teaching what is good.

Encourage the young women.

To love their husbands and children

I Kings 21:7

To be sensible

To be pure

To be workers at home

To be kind

To be subject to their own husbands

So that the word of God will not be dishonored.

I Timothy 6:1

Psalms 71:18

Mark 9:1 - The kingdom of God was imminent.

Colossians 1:13

The metaphor kingdom never refers to a local church.

First, it refers to the rules of the king. (Luke 17:21

Then, it refers to the citizenry. (Colossians 1:13

Also, it sometimes refers to heaven. (Matthew 13:43

Facts about the kingdom

John, Jesus, the apostles, and the seventy taught that it was at hand (Matthew 3:3

Jesus taught the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23

Some contemporary with Jesus would see it (Mark 9:1

After Acts 2

It is spiritual, not earthly (John 18:36

It is everlasting, not temporary (Luke 1:33

Preachers are to preach it (Acts 8:12

It is not a democracy - the citizens do not make the laws.

It is not a mobarchy - not run by a few strong arms.

It is not an aristocracy - not run by an aristocratic few.

It is a monarchical republic - has a King and a Constitution.

Christ is King with all authority (John 18:37

Its Constitution revealed through the apostles (Matthew 18:18

Its Constitution is complete and perfect (II Peter 1:3

The citizens position is one of subjection, not legislating.

Christ must be honored (Matthew 17:5

Essentials of citizenship

Enter by new birth (John 3:3-5

Continue by doing His will (Matthew 7:21

Must seek first (Matthew 6:33

Greatness therein determined by service

Judgment picture

Honor the King and His Constitution (Matthew 25:24

Reject the King and His Constitution (II Thessalonians 1:7-9