We ought to be wary of superlatives in language. I tend to dislike them as related to life, in mortal context. I developed some dislike because the meanings of superlative words for persons are too imprecise. On occasion superlatives imply that a statement of this or that may be formed with judgmentalism. The good man is not really good enough unless he is very good. Some of the best authors are spare with language, but precise. Often superlatives are used by persons who treat language with less authority than it deserves. On occasions the superlatives are avoided by word choices to evaluate views of the persons responding. For example, the common five steps in evaluating a product are: Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. Superior may have the force of very excellent. Truth permits a word to stand on its own for purpose. We support our integrity when choosing the right word without having to modify it.
In a study of Scripture one finds that the writers, under God, are sometimes friendly to superlatives. As an evaluator, we may be so. I wondered about the style. Was I wrong about the issue, or is there a point when special modifiers are important? Scripture is clear that one should be straightforward in communication – let your yea be yea and your nay be nay. It is not necessary for the honest man to say, I positively affirm that the accusation is false. If he had said: In my view, the accusation is false – what more is needed? Why must we press for a stronger emphasis? Do we believe what we say, or do we bow to doubt? It is likely because we do not trust one another, and we know it, so escape in making a statement that tries to remove any doubt in what is said. We commonly overstate when we use superlatives.
Scripture is known also for precise language, finding refined words (even in a rather small vocabulary by modern standards). For example, there are two words for carpenter in the New Testament, one for rough carpenter and one for finish carpenter. This precision would put to falsehood the preacher who described the spirituality of Joseph as reflected in the quality of his finished carpentry. Joseph did the preliminary carpentry. Another picked up where he left off to complete the work. Joseph does not appear to have been a finish carpenter. We find precision in the word about his occupation. Joseph had limited carpentry skills. In spiritual terms Joseph would have been seen as a righteous man, a peasant, who served his society well in a remote village. This also tells us something about God, and the poor. Likely Mary fit the context of Joseph’s life, and was also a righteous person who likely could neither read nor write, but lived in a context of devotion, service, and love recognizing her meaning was to be found in the will of God. These two persons model God’s high interest in the poor, and the common folk of the world. Others may be prone to pride, perhaps arrogance. They made it on their own. They that are whole need not a physician. (Luke 5:31) The world needs straightforward statements to identify needs and solutions.
Even so, Scripture incorporates many superlatives. When they appear, the reader does well to remember that God uses the language of humankind, but his emphasis is often marked by superlative words. For example, mankind ought to concern self with knowledge, but when God wants to specify his pattern, he makes clear that he is concerned with true knowledge (spiritual and unchanging). (1 John 2:8). Bible superlatives are signals of special meaning, therefore leading to more than natural or ordinary context, but incorporating that context. Faithful Christians are pressed to read, reread, follow and make unique the literature of the Bible. I need to read many pages of material, but I must read Scripture. Some things ought to be done, but some things must be done. The standard offers choice to include or exclude something. God’s superlatives ought to gain attention. They go beyond the acceptable standard meaning and performance. There is love and that is what is commanded of us. There is more that is not to be lost in an excess of language. We read that this person loved much. That is special, nothing lost in ordinary beauty. We have a great deal to learn about the higher plane. This improved grasp of meaning makes way for better understanding of docile faith (in belief) and higher faith (in action). I may love and function rather well, but it is clear that I may love much, even enlarge Christian ideals. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020