THOMAS AQUINAS ON THE SENSES

St Thomas Aquinas has a large section in 'Summa Theologica' on the senses.
1. Literal Sense: word for word verbatim. A word by itself can have many meanings. However that same word taken in context can have only one meaning. Every part of Scripture has a literal sense. Literal senses can have an explicit sense such as Jn 1:14, "...the Word was made flesh", explicitly means, 'the Son of GOD became Man'. The same verse can have an implicit meaning, 'Christ had a human soul'. When words are used in their 'original sense' (not metaphorical) they are called 'Literal Proper'. The Literal sense of Scripture can be only one.
a. Historical sense: Based on, or concerned with events in history.
b. Etiological sense: Studying causes or origins.
c. Analogical sense: Based on an analogy. Similarity in some respects between things that are dissimilar.
d. Plenary sense: GOD may imply more in the words of Scripture that the human author is conscious of. There may be a hidden meaning in the words to be revealed later.
e. Consequent sense: Reasoning to a theological conclusion. This sense is better not to be used as it is not an inspired sense of Scripture.
f. Metaphorical sense: Also called the 'Figurative' sense. Sometimes called the 'Literal Improper sense'. The 'Literal Proper' and 'Literal Improper' senses are normally mutually exclusive. Metaphorical senses can also be classed as 'Spiritual Senses'.
2. Spiritual Sense: Also called 'Typological' or 'Mystical' sense. The sacred writer had nothing to do to introduce the 'Spiritual' sense. It was put there by GOD and the human writer was unconscious of it.
a. Metaphorical sense: The Spiritual sense of Scripture can be Metaphorical if the Literal sense on which it is based is also Metaphorical. Psa 118:22, and Mt 21:42
b. Allegorical sense: Also called the 'Typical' sense. Things of the old law signifying things of the new law. Types in the OT which prefigure the Church on earth. The crossing of the Red Sea is a symbol of the victory of Christ, and a type of the freeing of mankind from the bondage of sin by Baptism - 1Cor 10:1-2, Ex 13:21,14:19-22. The Paschal Lamb - Ex 12:21 and 46, the Brazen Serpent - Num 21:8 and Jn 3:14, and the Cornerstone - Psa 118:22, are Allegorical.
c. Moral sense: also called the 'Tropological' sense. Events in Scripture imploring us to act justly. Things we should do. How to act. Wis 16:28, 1Cor 10:11, Heb 3-4:11
d. Anagogical sense: Mystical interpretations, all visions of heaven. Our destiny. Gal 4:26, Rev 21:1 to 22:5
3. Parabolical Sense:
a. Parables: A story to illustrate a lesson. Mt 24:32-35, Lk 16:19-31.