Homiletics: The Art of Preaching Biblical Sermons
Homiletics, the art of preaching, involves the public proclamation of a message, particularly a biblical one. The term "preacher" itself is central to the book of Ecclesiastes, where the Hebrew word Koheleth signifies "one who speaks publicly in an assembly" [1]. This title is used by Solomon, traditionally considered the author, who reflects on life's experiences and observations [1, 7]. Other biblical names also carry meanings related to discourse, such as Syntyche, meaning "that speaks or discourses," and Nob, meaning "discourse; prophecy" [2, 3]. Mercurius is also associated with being "an orator; an interpreter" [8].
The act of preaching is explicitly commanded in the New Testament. Paul instructs Timothy to "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction" [4]. This highlights the comprehensive nature of preaching, encompassing both instruction and exhortation. Early Christian preaching, as exemplified by Paul, emphasized the message itself over eloquent speech. Adam Clarke notes that Paul's mission was to preach the Gospel "not with human eloquence" or "arts of rhetoric," but with the "supremely excellent" testimony of Christ [9].
The content of a sermon is paramount. A preacher's primary responsibility is to deliver God's message, ensuring it aligns with the divine word rather than personal creeds or confessions [12]. John Gill describes the book of Ecclesiastes as "one continued discourse" of "solid matter" and "things of the greatest importance" [11]. The Old Testament also provides examples of public proclamation, such as the priests with trumpets in Nehemiah 12:41 [5], and the offering of parables and riddles in Psalms 78:2 [6].
In the context of spiritual gifts, "prophesying" is considered superior to the gift of tongues for the edification of the Church [10]. This underscores the importance of clear, understandable communication in public discourse for the benefit of the assembly.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ecclesiastes — (the preacher). The title of this book is in Hebrew Koheleth, signifying one who speaks publicly in an assembly. Koheleth is the name by which Solomon, probably the author, speaks of himself throughout the book. The book is that which it professes to be,--the confession of a man of wide experience looking back upon his past life and looking out upon the disorders and calamities which surround him. The writer is a man who has sinned in giving way to selfishness and sensuality, who has paid the penalty of that sin in satiety and weariness of life, but who”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Syntyche — that speaks or discourses”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Nob — discourse; prophecy”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 4:2 (BSB) — Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.”
- Nehemiah “Nehemiah 12:41 (Geneva1599) — The Priests also, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, Hananiah, with trumpets,”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:2 (LEB) — I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ecclesiastes — The Greek rendering of the Hebrew Koheleth, which means "Preacher." The old and traditional view of the authorship of this book attributes it to Solomon. This view can be satisfactorily maintained, though others date it from the Captivity. The writer represents himself implicitly as Solomon (1:12). It has been appropriately styled The Confession of King Solomon. "The writer is a man who has sinned in giving way to selfishness and sensuality, who has paid the penalty of that sin in satiety and weariness of life, but who has through all this been under t”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Mercurius — an orator; an interpreter”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): We should earnestly desire spiritual gifts; but prophesying is to be preferred, because it is superior to the gift of tongues, Co1 14:1, Co1 14:2. Prophesying defined, Co1 14:3. How to regulate this supernatural gift of tongues, in teaching for the edification of the Church, Co1 14:4-13. In praying and giving thanks, Co1 14:14-17. Those who speak with tongues should interpret that others may be edified, Co1 14:18-22 What benefit may accrue from this in the public assemblies, Co1 14:23-28. How the prophets or teachers should act in the Church, Co1”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 1:1: The words of the preacher,.... Or the preacher's sermon. The whole book is one continued discourse, and an excellent one it is; consisting not of mere words, but of solid matter; of things of the greatest importance, clothed with words apt and acceptable, which the preacher sought out, Ecc 12:10. The Targum is, "the words of the prophecy, which the preacher, who is Solomon, prophesied.'' According to which this book is prophetic; and so it interprets it, and owns it to be Solomon's. The word "Koheleth", rendered "preacher", is by some taken to be a proper nam”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 2:4: Thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord - Let them know that what thou hast to declare is the message of the Lord, that they may receive it with reverence. Every preacher of God's word should take heed that it is God's message he delivers to the people. Let him not suppose, because it is according to his own creed or confession of faith, that therefore it is God's word. False doctrines and fallacies without end are foisted on the world in this way. Bring the creed first to the Word of God, and scrupulously try whether it be right; and when this is done, leave ”