2 Timothy 4:10 - TON NUN AIWNA

Steven Lo Vullo slovullo at mac.com
Thu Dec 26 23:04:31 EST 2002


On Thursday, December 26, 2002, at 03:28 PM, Mike Sangrey wrote:

> If I understand NUN AIWNA as synonymous with KOSMOS, my mind 
> immediately
> goes to 1 John 2:15ff.  The problem I have with that is that Paul
> doesn't group Demas with Alexander.  The Greek pretty clearly groups
> Demas with Crescens and Titus.  In fact, I first wasn't altogether sure
> whether Paul was saying that all three up and left.  Paul appears to be
> quite thankful that Luke stuck around.  He doesn't appear to me to make
> a strong distinction between Demas and the others.  However, with
> Alexander, it's quite distinct.

Mike, the reason Demas is not grouped with Alexander is that Demas has 
until recently been a member of Paul' "team." Paul is explaining to 
Timothy the status of those who made up his "team." Demas had deserted 
him out of love for the present age and had gone to Thessalonica, while 
Crescens had gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia--the two latter 
apparently still in the service of the gospel, since no negative motive 
is ascribed to their departure. Luke remained with Paul. This is the 
present status of those with whom Paul was associated in the ministry 
of the gospel. Alexander is in a different class altogether. Whether or 
not he is the same Alexander of 1.19-20 is uncertain, but whatever the 
case, he was not at any time a member of Paul's ministerial team.
=============
Steven R. Lo Vullo
Madison, WI




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