[B-Greek] Ephesians 2:8
Blue Meeksbay
bluemeeksbay at yahoo.com
Thu Apr 21 12:59:54 EDT 2011
Eph. 2:8-9 THi GAR CARITI ESTE SESWiSMENOI DIA PISTEWS KAI TOUTO OUK EX
hUMWN, QEOU TO DWRON OUK EX ERGWN, hINA MH TIS KAUCHSHTAI.
Eph. 5:4 KAI AISCROTHS, KAI MWROLOGIA, H EUTRAPELIA, TA OUK ANHKONTA ALLA MALLON
EUCARISTIA. (BYZ)
Eph. 5:4 KAI AISCROTHS KAI MWROLOGIA H EUTRAPELIA, hA OUK ANHKEN, ALLA MALLON
EUCARISTIA (NA27)
I think we can find the author of Ephesians using a similar construction a few
chapters later in the epistle in chapter 5:4. The article and/or the pronoun are
neuter, whereas the forgoing is feminine.
In addition, back to 2:8, if verse 9 had been made a part of verse 8, perhaps,
it might have helped clarify the flow of the text. I know it should not make a
difference because a verse should always be read within the greater context, but
for whatever reason, sometimes (and I will include myself) we are guilty of
trying to understand one portion of the Greek as if it is an island in the midst
of a great ocean containing the rest of the Greek text.
OUK EX ERGWN, in my mind, cannot be divorced from the forgoing. Whatever one
decides is the referent of TOUTO one must realize that OUK EX ERGWN helps
explain it. If one believes it is grace than one must explain how one could
ever think that grace is bestowed because of works. That seems like an oxymoron
to me, but that is just my opinion. It seems by the use of a negative, the
writer is indicating some might believe the positive, and thus he is trying to
negate someone from believing such a thing.
In other words, if grace is the referent, then he is stating, (for those who
might believe grace can be bestowed for our good works) – it cannot be! Or if
one believes faith is the referent, then he is stating, (for those who might
believe that faith is earned by our good works) – it cannot be! IMO neither fits
the context, especially if we believe Paul was the writer of the book. But that
is just my opinion. Therefore, it seems the only logical conclusion, when we
take the greater context, is what Michael Aubrey stated in his post
<TOUTO refers to the entire event of salvation by grace through faith.>
As for Eric’s question and the reason for the neuter in Matt. 26:26, perhaps it
is because the bread was stated to be broken and the neuter TOUTO was used
because of an implied piece (KLASMA) of bread, which, of course, is neuter.
Compare its use in Luke 9:17.
KAI EFAGON KAI ECORTASQHSAN PANTES, KAI HRQH TO PERISSEUSAN AUTOIS
KLASMATWN KOFINOI DWDEKA
I do not know, just a thought.
Cordially,
Blue Harris
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