[B-Greek] INA clause in 2 Cor 5:21

virgil newkirk virgilsalvage1 at msn.com
Mon Jun 7 14:32:19 EDT 2004


Craig Johnson wrote:


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Subject: [B-Greek] INA clause in 2 Cor 5:21


I'm just wondering if someone can help me explain the force and use of the
INA clause in 2 Cor 5:21.

TON MH GNONTA hAMARTIAN hUPER hHMWN hAMARTIAN EPOIHSEN, hINA hHMEIS GENWMEQA
DIKAIOSUNH QEOU EN AUTWi (2 Cor 5:21)

It seems to me that the hINA clause is a final or result clause. Hence, to
me, the reading is that the first clause (TON MH GNONTA hAMARTIAN hUPER
hHMWN hAMARTIAN EPOIHSEN) is the ground/cause/reason for the second clause
(hHMEIS GENWMEQA DIKAIOSUNH QEOU EN AUTWi). The second is a result of the
first.

In other words, it is (simply) saying that because our sin was imputed to
Christ, the result is that we become the righteousness of God in Christ.




Craig,

I would say that hINA here in 2 Cor 5:21 is functioning to introduce what 
Robertson calls a sub-final clause..or purpose clause. Zodhiates says hINA 
with the subjunctive can mark "that which is supposed, will really take 
place."

Robertson mentions 3 basic kinds of hINA clauses. The pure-final, the 
object-clause or sub-final, and the consecutive (which would be the telic 
(or final) force.

Since there is the subjunctive GENWMEQA, it would seem that something final 
or resulting is yet to be determined. If that be so; there is not yet a 
result or anything final.


Craig, you stated, "(TON MH GNONTA hAMARTIAN hUPER
hHMWN hAMARTIAN EPOIHSEN) is the ground/cause/reason for the second clause
(hHMEIS GENWMEQA DIKAIOSUNH QEOU EN AUTWi).

Yes, surely this is the grounds for what is stated in the second clause. 
However, the hINA  +subjunctive does not yet allow for..as you stated,

 "The second is a result of the
first."

Here, I believe, hINA introduces adverbally..a "where"; that is, a 
situation, a reality by way of Christ having been "made" sin, that presents 
the grounds for our being able to lay hold of and obtain not hH DIKAIASUNH 
QEOU, but, DIKAIASUNH QEOU. I see this process shown in Abraham as he 
"processed" through his experience with God and His calling; hINA (pure 
final) became a "friend" of God as is shown in James 2:23. This was not 
Abraham's Romans experience, it was his 2 Cor 5 & 6 experience..I would say.


In conclusion I would again suggest that this hINA clause in 2 Cor 5:21 has 
the force of laying out the grounds for something; a suggesting of the 
expectation of result. Not yet, the actual result. However, it does signify 
the basis for that very expected result, has in fact, been laid.
This DIDAISUNH QEOU in 2 Corinthians is from a different perspective than 
that of Romans, I would say, and to not appreciate the difference and 
different context that is here in 2 Cor will lead to the questions that you 
have posed, Craig. The result of which is a confusing of two different 
concepts. As James suggests though, these two eventually can become one.


hINA GENWMEQA FILOI QEOU,



Virgil Newkirk
Salt Lake City, Utah 



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