DIKAIOS
Steven Craig Miller
scmiller at www.plantnet.com
Sun Oct 17 08:46:50 EDT 1999
To: Carl W. Conrad,
<< As for DIKAIOS, the word must be understood in the context of Matthew's
gospel as a recurrent and important theme word to be considered in all of
its applications ... >>
Perhaps, but I would note that a number of scholars disagree with you
here. Father Brown [1977/1993:125] writes:
<< Although DIKAIOS, "upright, just" is a favorite Matthean word ... The
most likely meaning of "upright" here [at Mt 1:19], namely, observant of
the Law, is not the usual meaning of DIKAIOS for Matthew ... >>
And Davies and Allison [1988:203] write:
<< ... DIKAIOS should not be understood as Matthew's preferred technical
term for true Christian disciples; and in 1.19 the word simply indicates
obedience to the Torah. >>
Of course, these things are always a judgment call, and I wouldn't want to
suggest that your interpretation has no merit. On the other hand, it seems
to me that it would be a mistake to assume than any author always uses each
term consistently in the same way throughout one's writing.
-Steven Craig Miller
Alton, Illinois (USA)
scmiller at www.plantnet.com
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