[B-Greek] John 1:18 (EKEINOS)

Alastair Haines afhaines at tpg.com.au
Tue Feb 22 00:59:21 EST 2011


Edgar,

I take it you're trying to find information in the Greek text and language here
regarding whatever the <MONOGENHS-type-of-God> <EXHGHSATO-ed>
concerning <the "anarthrous" God and/or the (his) Father>.

Correct me if I'm wrong, you feel the semantics of the verse suit a picture like:
the MONOGENHS-God "explaining" something deeper--like "divine essence"--
or broader--say beyond the Father alone.

I think Professor Conrad is correct that theological speculation or dogmatics
are highly likely to be read into this kind of verse, but I think BDAG can help us
without troubling ourselves with any of the inadmissible dogmatic "authorities".

BDAG provides two senses for EXHGEOMAI:
1. to relate in detail, tell, report, describe,
with examples all from Luke: Lk 24:35; Ac10:8; 15:12, 14; 21:19; and
2. to set forth in great detail, expound,
with the only biblical example being Jn 1:18.

In either case we are looking at the semantics of the verb
including the idea of the subject of the verb offering detailed information.
That alone is some kind of support for the tenor of your current reading, Edgar.

What looks even stronger, though, is the non-biblical usages of the verb,
for example TA QEIA EXHGEISQAI (Anabasis 2:3:3, see also 6:2:3).

BDAG says EXHGEOMAI was used "[often] as a [technical term]
for the activity of priests and soothsayers who impart information
or reveal divine secrets;" and add that it was
"also used [with reference] to divine beings themselves."

The lexical selection of the verb appears to be very apposite to the context,
and to your question! The verb normally has things divine as object,
but can also suit a divine subject, as in this verse.
I think linguistic markers alone push us to read that
<the divine one--about whom we are talking>
<has "published">
<the--previously unknown--"heart" of the divine Father we are calling "God">.
In other words, I don't think anarthrous QEOS in this verse
refers to the full-blown Christian Trinity, without eisegesis.
However, I do think the text constrains us to imagine two distinct divine persons
(which is, of course, not incompatible with traditional dogma).

Whether that's a "polytheistic" reading or not is, I would think, an off-list issue;
but I hope BDAG is of help regarding the verb you're interested in Edgar.

alastair

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Edgar Foster" <edgarfoster2003 at yahoo.com>
To: "b-greek list" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 5:03 AM
Subject: [B-Greek] John 1:18 (EKEINOS)


> Greetings to all,
> 
> The text: QEON OUDEIS hEWRAKEN PWPOTE MONOGENHS QEOS hO WN EIS TON KOLPON TOU PATROS EKEINOS EXHGHSATO.
> 
> Assuming that the reading above is to be preferred, how would you understand the referent of EKEINOS? Is it God with respect to his essence (in view of the anarthrous QEON) that MONOGENHS QEOS "explained" or is it more strictly speaking, the Father that was explained? It could be the Father specifically since John writes about EIS TON KOLPON TOU PATROS
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Edgar
> 
> 
> 
>      
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