[B-Greek] APOSTOLOS in 1 Cor 12

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Mon Aug 30 12:46:38 EDT 2004


>
[Cindy:]> I Cor. 9 refers to Barnabas as an apostle with apostle's rights.

As does Luke in Acts 14:14.

> What about
> the context in 2 Cor. 8:23 makes Titus, for instance, not a
> similar authority
> with similar rights to Barnabas?

I don't think we can deduce that from KOINWNOS or SUNERGOS. Only 23a talks
about Titus. 23b talks about the two other unnamed co-workers who had been
sent/commissioned by the churches, so APOSTOLOI EKKLHSIWN in this verse
refers to the two church emissaries, not Paul's assistant, Titus.

>  He was sent in an authoritative capacity to
> Crete, among other places.

No, he was left by Paul in Crete to wrap up some unfinished business with
clear instructions from Paul on what to do. (Tit 1:5). And then Paul gives
further written instructions in his letter to Titus. Titus is here portrayed
as an assistant to an apostle rather than an apostle in his own right. Paul
gives similar written instructions to his other assistant, Timothy.

> In these cases, the translations miscue the
> readers, not making a good interpretive decision, though I
> understand the basis of the interpretation.

If you are referring to 2 Cor 8:23, I don't see the basis for your
unconventional interpretation. I believe all the versions have made a good
interpretative decision here.

I think the definition of apostle and the distinction between ministries and
gifts go beyond b-Greek parameters, so will respond more fully off-list.

Iver Larsen




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