[B-Greek] RE: 2 Corinthians 5.10
Alex and Alison Hopkins
alexali at surf.net.au
Mon Nov 15 08:21:03 EST 2004
Art Casci wrote about the meaning of FAULOS in 2 Corinthians 5:10.
>My question is concerning two works found in 2 5.10 where Paul says we
will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ and receive rewards
for what we have done in our body whether good or bad. My question has
to do with those words "good or bad" (agathos and phaulos) and in
particular phaulos. [snip] The word phaulos is not merely identical to
kakos which clearly means bad or evil. Phaulos can also mean "trivial"
or "light". If this can stand up to scrutiny, the text would mean that
all Christians who appear before the judgment seat of Christ will
receive rewards for all their works whether "noble" or "trivial". [snip]
I know I am going way out of the main stream on this one.
Art, it possibly is 'out of the main stream'; however, without having
my books to hand, it is an idea that has been in the public arena for a
hundred years or more, as expressed by an author such as Sir Robert
Anderson (in 'Misunderstood Texts of the NT'?) Where have you come
across the idea?
I don't find the idea untenable. However, you need to be aware of
distinguishing between the complex of theological issues (which are not
a matter for discussion on the list), and the linguistic (which properly
is discussed here). I have the impression that the sense of FAULOS in
classical Greek may more clearly favour the sense you posit than later
writings. Unfortunately the word is not dealt with in the volumes of
New Documents illustrating Early Christianity that I do have to hand
(1-6), nor is it in Spicq. Moulton-Milligan do speak of "the idea of
'worthlessness' (rather than 'active moral evil') often associated with
this word", lending support to the possible understanding of the word
that you express.
Alex Hopkins
Melbourne, Australia
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