[B-Greek] Eph. 2.8-10

kgraham0938 at comcast.net kgraham0938 at comcast.net
Thu Nov 10 22:32:40 EST 2005


@Adam:
 

> I have 2 questions from Eph. 2.8-10 as a second-year Greek student teaching 
> through Ephesians in a Sunday School class. The first is from v. 8 
> 
> TH GAR XARITI ESTE SESWSMENOI DIA PISTEWS 
> 
> >From what I have learned so far, coupling EIMI with the perfect participle 
> would put a great deal of emphasis on the continuous nature of salvation. 
> Most translations seem to emphasize the inception of salvation, but it seems 
> to me that it would be more accurate to say something like "by grace you 
> stand saved" or the more wooden "by grace you remain as one having been 
> saved through faith." Is the rookie missing something, or is this accurate? 

Response: Yeah I think it has already been mentioned that this is a periphrastic perfect participle.  What that is is a anathorous participle is used with a verb of being and create a finite word idea.  So here ESTE is used with SESWSMENOI, which is rendered "you have been saved." or "you are saved."  The NET bible argues that the perfect participle connotes both completed action(you have been saved) and continuing result. (you are saved.)

Adam:> The second question is from verse 10, in which EPI ERGOIS AGAQOIS is always 
> translated "for good works" or "unto good works." BDAG does list EPI + 
> dative as indicating object or purpose.but not until def. 16. Wallace (in 
> "Basics of New Testament Syntax") & BDAG def. 6 show EPI + dative as 
> indicating "basis for a state of being, action or result. Would it be wrong 
> to translate this as "created in Christ Jesus on the basis of good works."? 
> This seems to fit the context of the book if we view the "good works" as 
> having been done by God, not us. 

Response: Well I think it is better to keep it as purpose.  Because I don't think you could say ERGOIS AGAQOIS is a state of being, or action or result.  At least I don't see it.
--
Kelton Graham 
KGRAHAM0938 at comcast.net


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