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Oecumenius - Ad Thess 457.7ff

Posted: December 15th, 2011, 1:44 pm
by Peter Streitenberger
Dear Friends,

I have some difficulties in understanding part of the following quote:

"Τί οὖν, εἴποι τις ὡς πρὸς τὴν δευτέραν ἐξήγησιν, μερικὴ ἔσται ἡ ἀνάστασις, ὡς τῶν ἀπίστων μὴ ἀνισταμένων; οὐ τοῦτο, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι πάντες μὲν ἀναστήσονται, οὐ πάντες δὲ ἀχθήσονται• τὸ γὰρ ἀχθῆναι τὴν μετὰ τιμῆς πανταχόθεν ἐν νεφέλαις ἁρπαγὴν καὶ ἀγωγὴν τὴν πρὸς τὸν κριτὴν δηλοῖ. οἱ μὲν γὰρ πιστοὶ καὶ οὐκ ἐπίπλαστον ἔχοντες τοῦτο τὸ ὄνομα ἐν νεφέλαις ἁρπαγήσονται εἰς ἀπάντησιν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, οἱ δὲ ἄπιστοι κάτω περιμενοῦσιν αὐτὸν ἐρχόμενον μὴ ἀξιούμενοι ἀπαντῆσαι."

What does Oecumenius mean by "οὐκ ἐπίπλαστον ἔχοντες τοῦτο τὸ ὄνομα". If someone would translate the whole passage, I'd be happy, so I can check my own one (German). Despite I have problems with εἴποι (first sentence).
Thank you !
Yours
Peter
wwww.streitenberger.com

Re: Oecumenius - Ad Thess 457.7ff

Posted: December 20th, 2011, 12:36 am
by James Ernest
Peter, it appears that no one has responded. I will try . . .

> What does Oecumenius mean by "οὐκ ἐπίπλαστον ἔχοντες τοῦτο τὸ ὄνομα".

I am guessing that "this name" without further specifier refers to the name of "Christian." So I think this phrase means "not bearing this name fictitiously," i.e., "not being fake [or "sham"] Christians." Perhaps you would expect the adverb ἐπιπλαστως? I think the adjective, used as a predicate complement, is not an unusual construction. They hold the name (in a way that makes it) fictitious.

> If someone would translate the whole passage

Someone might say regarding the second interpretation, "What then? Is the resurrection partial, as unbelievers do not rise?" That's not the meaning; rather, it is that while all will rise, not all will be taken. For being taken signifies the snatching up in the clouds with honor from everywhere to the judge. For those who are faithful and do not bear the Name fictitiously will be snatched up in the clouds to meet Christ, but the unfaithful will await his coming below, not being worthy to meet him.

> I have problems with εἴποι (first sentence).

It appears to be a potential optative without the particle αν. I do not know whether this is common in sixth-century CE prose. A quick scan of instances of ειποι in Oecumenios shows that he usually uses αν but sometimes omits it.

Re: Oecumenius - Ad Thess 457.7ff

Posted: December 20th, 2011, 2:10 pm
by Peter Streitenberger
Dear James,
thank you so much - I apreciate your answer ! It seems that every question is now solved, especially helpful is your translation of this passage.
With kind regards
Peter, Germany