SOUNDING OUT:
Hendiadys
Known commonly as two for one, this figure occurs when two words are used, but one thing is meant. The two words are the same part of speech (either nouns or verbs) and are always joined together by the conjunction "and" The first one of the two words expresses the thing and the second intensifies it by being changed into a qualifier of the superlative degree. Hendiadys expresses a single idea by two words instead of a word and its modifier.
Hendiadys divides the qualifier from the word it modifies. It establishes a parity between the two resulting nouns that seems to compound or double the meaning, rather than simply qualify it. It amplifies both the length and the force of the thought for emphasis.
However, we cannot assume that whenever we have two words joined together by "and" that we always have a hendiadys. There must be something out of the ordinary to attract our attention. The two words must have some relation to the other or be associated with it in some way. There cannot be a hendiadys when the two words oppose one another or are not connected in some way. Bullinger notes that the figure is truly oriental and exceedingly picturesque and is frequent in both the Old and New Testaments (See FOS page 657ff.)
Hendiadys occurs several times with pneuma. Let's look at several of these.
Matthew 3:11:
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Here pneuma is used of the new birth, which would be available after the Day of Pentecost. This does not indicate two baptisms one with holy ghost and one with fire. Ephesians 4:5 clearly states there is only one baptism. This hendiadys combines the two terms with one intended meaning. The force of the figure could be stated, "and ye shall be baptized with the holy spirit, yes "and with a fiery spirit too" "Fire" is a symbol of what the gift of holy spirit will do for the individual. It will burn the chaff our lives (as explained in verse 12) and purify us so that we are "meet for the master's use" (II Timothy 2:21) and "holy and without blame before Him" (Ephesians 1:4).
Luke 1:17:
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Here spirit and power are combined in a hendiadys. Without spirit there is no power; the power of God we operate comes via the spirit of God within us. We could read this, "in spirit, yes in Elijah's powerful spirit" The spirit upon John was like that upon Elijah. Just as Elijah demonstrated God's power and brought God's people back to God, John would do the same.
This same hendiadys is found in I Corinthians 2:4.
I Corinthians 2:4:
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
"Of" does not occur in the Greek, spirit and power are both in the genitive case. Pneuma and dunamis are once again joined with "and" Instead of saying powerful spirit, the hendiadys uses two nouns and separates them with an "and" The emphasis the hendiadys communicates could be translated, "in demonstration of a spirit, yes—a most powerful spirit" Paul didn’t demonstrate two different things, sometimes demonstrating spirit and other times demonstrating power; he demonstrated spiritual power. The figure emphasizes the relationship of spirit, pneuma, and power, dunamis, by combining them in the hendiadys. By separating the non-figurative phrase "powerful spirit" into the figurative phrase "spirit and power" the adjective powerful is accentuated to the superlative degree by transforming it into a noun. Were the separation not made, the modifier would be combined with its object and lose some of its potency. The hendiadys shows the superlative power that Paul walked with, a most powerful spirit. The same powerful spirit that resides in you and I.
Hendiadys accentuates the relationship between two words to the superlative degree. Now as you read God's Word, pay attention to words joined by "and" Perhaps you'll see the Holy Spirit marking, His emphasis, of a wonderful relationship between two things. If we want to manifest power in our day and time, we like Paul will have to demonstrate the most powerful spirit God has placed within us. We have Christ in us and we can walk as he did.
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