Parembole; or, Insertion Parenthetic Independent Addition
Par-em´-bol-ee´ (παρεμβολή), from παρά (para), beside, ἐν (en), in, and βολή (bolee), a throwing or casting (from βάλλω, ballô, to throw).
Hence, a Parembole is an insertion beside, between, or among others; and the name is used when the sentence interposed is independent and complete in itself; and would make complete sense if it were separated from the sentence which it divides.
It is called also EPEMBOLE (Ep-em´-bol-ee, ἐπεμβολή), from ἐπί (epi), upon, ἐν (en), in, and βολή (bolee), a casting. A casting in upon .
And PAREMPTOSIS (Par-emp-to´-sis, παρέμπτωσις), from παρά (para), beside, ἐν (en), in, and πτῶσις (ptôsis), a falling (from πίπτω, to fall), a falling in beside .
Isaiah 60:12 is a Parembole, complete in itself.
Mark 1:7-4. -These two verses are interposed, and are independent of the context.
Luke 17:9 is an independent question and answer thrown in, in the midst of the argument.
Acts 1:2-11 form a Parembole .
See also Romans 1:3-31, Romans 1:6-17 .
Romans 1:8-15 is a long Parembole setting forth the further relation between flesh and spirit: i.e., the Old man and the New man, the Old nature and the New divine and spiritual nature, the πνεῦμα (pneuma), or πνεῦμα χριστοῦ (pneuma-Christou) which is given to all who are in Christ. Consequently the “s” in spirit should be a small “s,” and not a capital letter, in all these verses: the Holy Spirit Himself not being mentioned, or referred to, as a Person until verse 16.
The whole of the interpretation of this important passage depends on this Parembole . * [Note: See article on Romans 1:8-39, Things to Come, May, 1899.]
1 Corinthians 1:15-28 is an independent digression: and the sense reads on from verse 19 to 29. Thus:-
(19). “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable …
(29). Else, what shall they do who are being baptized? It is for the dead, if the dead rise not all?” etc. (see under Ellipsis, page 41).
Philippians 1:3-19. -These verses are an independent Parembole .
Ephesians 1:1-23 is a Parembole, and the sense reads on from 1:19 to chap. 2:1: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe (…), even you who were dead in trespasses and sins,” etc. but see under Ellipsis (page 109).
Ephesians 1:3-13 is a Parembole, and a digression explaining Paul’s special ministry in connection with the Gentiles.
1 Timothy 1:5-23. -“Keep thyself … infirmities” forms a Parembole .
1 Peter 1:3-21. * [Note: See the Spirits in Prison, by the same author and publisher.]