Read this excerpt from Edwards's sermon. The devil is waiting for them, hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them —Jonathan Edwards Gaping means "wide open." Why is this word so effective in conveying Edwards's purpose to his audience?

In his sermon "Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God", Rev. Jonathan Edwards used the word "gaping" to project an image of hell that is opened so wide that it will swallow anyone who sins and move away from the true God.

Explanation:

In his sermon "Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God", Jonathan Edwards gave a detailed description of what life is for those who stay away from the almighty God. He chooses to address this speech/ sermon to try to get the colonies back on tract to God and shy away from material things.

In this specific passage of the sermon, Edwards is describing in graphic details the fate of those who sin. He presents an image of hell "gaping for them, flames gather(ing) and flash(ing) about them" while "the devil is waiting for them". This parallel language structure projects an image of hell as enormous, daunting and dangerous, which it rightly is. But with the choice of words that he employs, he was able to instill a sense of fear in his listeners. This word is so effective as it presents an image of hell as something that is open wide, welcoming them for an eternal life of suffering. He verbally perfects showing an image that will frighten them and make then turn away from their sins.

Reverend Jonathan Edwards was using the phrase "gaping" in his sermon "Sinners in the Arms of an Angry God" to create an image of hell that is opened so wide that it will engulf anybody who sins and moves away from the true God.

Jonathan Edwards presented a thorough depiction of what life is like for individuals who keep away from the almighty God in his sermon "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God."

This parallel linguistic structure conveys a vision of hell that is massive, intimidating, and frightening, as it should be. However, he was able to generate a sense of anxiety in his audience with his choice of words.

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