[B-Greek] APOSTOLOS in 1 Cor 12
George F. Somsel
gfsomsel at juno.com
Tue Aug 31 09:33:53 EDT 2004
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 03:41:39 EDT CWestf5155 at aol.com writes:
> <<In a message dated 8/29/2004 11:39:54 PM Mountain Standard Time,
> iver_larsen at sil.org writes:
> I wouldn't quite agree with this description. In 1 Cor 12:28 the
> apostle is
> mentioned together with the prophet and teacher as one of the
> ministries
> placed by God/Jesus for an authoritative ministry in the church. Eph
> 4:11
> adds two more such ministries. These ministries ought to be
> distinguished
> from the many and varied spiritual gifts. Gifts are meant as tools
> for
> ministry, not identical to it. The apostolic ministry is not
> primarily a
> link between churches, but a representative of Christ, ministering
> to the
> churches - as well as to non-believers. They normally have a
> ministry which
> goes beyond the boundaries of a local church, and therefore often
> travel.
> So, in a secondary sense they help to link and unify the various
> local
> churches.
>
> > If APOSTOLOS is not a closed set for Paul, I have no trouble at
> > all seeing Titus and Epaphraditus in that role (2 Cor 8:23; Phil
> 2:25),
> > particularly since Barnabas had the role also.
>
> I would have trouble with that as do all Bible translations that I
> have
> checked. These two references use sense 1 as indicated by their
> contexts.>>
> Iver,
>
> Particularly in Eph. 4:7-12, APOSTOLOS is listed as a spiritual
> gift. In 1
> Cor. 12, gifts, services and working are interchangeable
> manifestations of the
> spirit (I Cor 12:4-5) which the Spirit distributes (1Cor. 12:11).
> They are
> clearly treated in one category in 12:27-30. I suggest that the
> distinctions
> you make are not based on the the text. The ministries are the
> gifts, and the
> other gifts are equally used in the congregation as ministries.
> Regardless,
> the way they are handled and distributed by the Spirit is
> indistinguishable, so
> other than categorization, what is the point?
>
> Yes, the translations have generally treated apostle as limited to
> the 12 and
> Paul (as a special case), but now there has been a more widespread
> recognition that that is a reflection of Luke's terminology and that
> Paul utilizes the
> terminology differently (as Paul and James use "grace" differently).
> I learned
> Greek in part so my perspectives in such things would not be limited
> to the
> translations.
>
> I Cor. 9 refers to Barnabas as an apostle with apostle's rights.
> What about
> the context in 2 Cor. 8:23 makes Titus, for instance, not a similar
> authority
> with similar rights to Barnabas? He was sent in an authoritative
> capacity to
> Crete, among other places. In these cases, the translations miscue
> the
> readers, not making a good interpretive decision, though I
> understand the basis of
> the interpretation.
>
> Cindy Westfall
> Denver Seminary
> ---
Cindy,
You state that the apostle is not primarily a link between the churches.
This may be true; however, the early tradition regarding the apostolate
should not be ignored. In "The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve
Apostles to the Nations" (which seems to be quite early) it is noted (ANF
vii. 380)
"1. Whosoever, therefore, cometh and teacheth you all these things that
have been said before, receive him.? 2. But if the teacher himself turn?
and teach another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not; but
if he teach so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the
Lord, receive him as the Lord. 3. But concerning the apostles and
prophets, according to the decree of the Gospel, thus do. 4. Let every
apostle that cometh to you be received as the Lord.? 5. But he shall not
remain except one day; but if there be need, also the next; but if he
remain three days, he is a false prophet. 6. And when the apostle goeth
away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodgeth;? but if he ask
money, he is a false prophet."
Therefore, while being a link between the churches may not be part of the
job description, it would practically produce such an effect.
george
gfsomsel
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