[B-Greek] Re: Syntax of Philippians 1:9

Jon Boyd boyd at huxcomm.net
Mon May 26 23:10:32 EDT 2003


Adam,

I didn't see that anyone else responded to your question about Philippians
1:9, so here's my quick thoughts:

KAI TOUTO PROSEUCOMAI hINA hH AGAPH hUMWN ETI MALLON KAI MALLON PERISSEUHI
EN EPIGNWSEI KAI PASHI AISQHSEI

The nuance of a preposition must be determined by the context.  I would take
the phrase EN EPIGNWSEI KAI PASHI AISQHSEI as the sphere in which their love
should abound.  In other words, their love would not just flourish
haphazardly, but would be constrained by knowledge and insight.  

I would consider _The Message_ a paraphrase, rather than a translation.  It
has value in allowing us to see the text in a way that strikes us where we
are.  That said, I think that Peterson has simply taken the idea of "in the
sphere of knowledge and all insight" and paraphrased it into contemporary
language.

"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not
only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your
head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent,
not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life
Jesus will be proud of:" (Phil. 1:9, Message).

Jonathan Boyd
Huxley, IA 





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