Biblical Paradoxes

While the Bible is one book, it is composed of many types of literature. It is rich in literary genres and figurative language, a lot of which is lost in translation. Hebrew parallelism, for example, permeates the Old Testament but loses some of its effect in English. In Jesus’ teaching we see that He enjoyed the use of parables (or extended similes) to make His point, but He also utilized the paradox. Here are four paradoxes from the Gospels:

If you want to be first, you have to be last (Matthew 20:16). This paradox came at the end of a parable commonly referred to as the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Jesus’ point is that we are all saved the same way—by grace through faith—and not based on our own efforts. If you are trying to earn God’s favor by outworking everyone else, you are missing the point.

If you want to be a leader, you have to be a servant (Matthew 20:26). This statement came after the mother of John and James requested that Jesus make her sons leaders in the kingdom. Many leaders pride themselves on their leadership ability, but Jesus has no room for leaders who are not willing to humble themselves. If you think a task is beneath you, you aren’t qualified to lead.

If you want to be exalted, you have to be humbled (Luke 14:11). Too many times we see people who so desire the praise of man that they embarrass themselves in their bid to get it. Jesus’ illustration about the man taking a seat of honor at a wedding, only to be humiliated when he is asked to move, is humorous but indicative of many who want to be exalted; Jesus said it is better to take a seat in the nosebleeds and wait to be asked to move to the VIP section than to take the opposite approach. 

If you want to live, you have to die (John 12:25). The greatest paradox is that life comes through death. It is only when we die to this evil world that we experience life with God now, and dying to this life leads to eternal life in the world to come.

The beauty of these biblical paradoxes is they are more than just memorable literary devices; they are actually good doctrine as well. Jesus was doing more than using flowery language, He was telling us how to really live our lives. If your life makes too much sense, if you are not living a life of paradox, maybe you are not living right.