[B-Greek] TELEW in 2 Cor 12:9

Steven Lo Vullo themelios at charter.net
Sat Jan 29 02:24:06 EST 2005


On Jan 27, 2005, at 5:18 PM, Kenneth Litwak wrote:

>     I heard a pesentation last night that argued that
> TELEITAI in 2 Cor 12:9 should be rendered with the
> standard meaning of TELEIN:  to end, finish, rather
> than the sense of "make perfect" or "mature" which is
> not the way the NT generally uses this verb.  This
> would then mean that Paul's power was ended by his
> weakness, and therefore he depends upon Christ's
> power, which is explicitly stated in 2 Cor 12:9b.
> That makes sense of the context (whereas the other
> meaning for TELEIN does not) and gives TELEW its more
> natural, common meaning.  Yet, translations virtually
> all take the rare menaing neddlessly.  This seems
> compelling to me. Any comments?

It's not anywhere near compelling, for a number of reasons.

(1) This interpretation apparently assumes that the words hH GAR 
DUNAMIS EN ASQENEIAi TELEITAI are Paul's. This is highly unlikely. GAR 
necessitates we discern a close connection between this clause and the 
previous one, and the previous one is direct discourse of Christ 
himself. So GAR most naturally supplies CHRIST'S explanation for why he 
said his grace was enough for Paul: It is because Christ's power comes 
to realization or materialization and is seen for what it is when the 
vessel of that power is weak. On the other hand, if we were to suppose 
that the clause in question relates Paul's explanation for Christ's 
words in the previous clause, we have a VERY awkward transition:

And he said to me, "My grace is enough for you," for [my] power is 
brought to an end by weakness.

Not only an abrupt transition, but it's hard to see the logical 
relation between Christ's words and Paul's explanation for those words.

(2) Keeping in mind the type of connection between the two clauses 
indicated by GAR, it is not hard to see the parallel between hH CARIS 
and hH DUNAMIS, further indicating that both clauses relate the words 
of Christ.

(3) The inferential particle OUN provides a much more natural 
transition from Christ's words to Paul's inference from those words. 
Since Christ's grace is sufficient for Paul and Christ's power comes to 
fruition in weakness, Paul concludes that he will boast all the more 
gladly about his weaknesses so that Christ's power, which comes to 
realization or materialization in human weakness, will rest upon him 
and others will know it is God's power and not his.

(4) DUNAMIS and DUNATOS throughout the context refer to Christ's power.

(5) It is simply wrong to say that the "standard" or "natural" or 
"common" meaning of TELEW is "to bring to an end". The idea is not 
putting a stop to something but bringing something to fruition or 
completion. The confusion arises because often when something is 
brought to fruition or completion the action that produces the result 
ceases. But let's test the assertion that the "natural" meaning is to 
put an end to something. Remember, the semantics you are suggesting 
mean that the direct object of TELEW is stopped or ended.

Matt 17.24 hO DIDASKALOS hUMWN OU TELEI [TA] DIDRACMA?

Were the tax collectors asking Peter if Jesus puts an end to the double 
drachma tax? See also Rom 13.6.

Luke 2.39 KAI hWS ETELESAN PANTA TA KATA TON NOMON KURIOU...

Are we really to conclude that Joseph and Mary put an end to everything 
that is in accordance with the law of the Lord?

Rom 2.27 KAI KRINEI hH EK FUSEWS AKROBUSTIA TON NOMON TELOUSA SE...

Is Paul here talking about the uncircumcision that puts an end to the 
law?

Gal 5.16 PNEUMATI PERIPATEITE KAI EPIQUMIAN SARKOS OU MH TELESHTE

"Walk by the Spirit and you will by no means put an end to the desires 
of the flesh"???

TON DROMON TETELEKA

"I stopped the race"? God forbid!

James 2.8 EI MENTOI NOMON TELEITE BASILIKON KATA THN GRAFHN: AGAPHSEIS 
TON PLHSION SOU hWS SEAUTON, KALWS POIEITE

"If you put an end to the royal law according to the scripture, 'You 
shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well"? I guess 
that's one way of looking at it. Makes things much easier.

It should be clear by now that TELEW doesn't have to do with putting an 
end to something or putting a stop to something, but bringing something 
to realization, fruition, completion, or fulfillment. The two ideas are 
NOT the same and must not be confused. Thus there is no basis for 
construing TELEITAI in 2 Cor 12.9 as "putting an end to," which is 
required with the interpretation suggested by the speaker you heard.
============

Steven Lo Vullo
Madison, WI
MAR student
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School




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