Re:Some clarity on DIA

From: Edgar Gerard Foster (fos@bluenet.net)
Date: Thu Mar 20 1997 - 02:20:26 EST


Here is my spin on EK and DIA. Any Caps. are for Emphases only. :) This is
not meant to be too theological. ;)

****************************************************************************
***********

EK vs. DIA

The Interpreter's Bible notes: "But Paul meant much more [in 1 Cor. 8:5, 6]
than the
affirmation of henotheism, the restriction of worship to the God of the
Christian faith. In his eyes only one is REALLY GOD, the Father of all, WHO
IS THE CREATOR and CONSUMMATION of all things. So likewise, Jesus was not
one Lord among many. He is the only true Lord, one who shares his place with
no other because HE IS THE ONE MEDIATOR OF CREATION." Now notice the
clinching point; "Paul chose his PREPOSITIONS CAREFULLY [EK and DIA] in order to
distinguish between God the Father, WHO IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE of CREATION,
and Christ, the Lord, THROUGH WHOM [DIA] this activity takes place....in
Col. 1:16
he [The apostle Paul] repeats the affirmation that all things are "through"
Christ and "for" Christ....it is perfectly clear what Paul wants to affirm.
Neither Ceasar nor Isis is Lord, but only Jesus Christ. When Paul ascribed
Lordship to Christ, in contrast to LATER CHURCH DOGMA, he DID NOT MEAN that
CHRIST WAS GOD. Christ was definitely subordinated to God. ( [1 Cor.] 3:23,
[11:3], 15:28)." (Ibid., pp. 93-94, Emphases and Words in Brackets mine)
  
An interesting point here is that the Interpreter's Bible notes that Paul
chose his prepositions carefully. what prepositions did Paul use in a
careful manner? These Greek prepositions were _EK_ and _DIA_, that is, "of
whom" or "from" and "by whom" or "through." What is the difference between
EK and DIA? Are these words totally and radically different in meaning? "EK;
before a vowel, EX; a prep. governing the gen. with the primary meaning OUT
OF, FROM, of....Metaphorically, after verbs of motion or direction, EK
speaks of a state or condition, OUT OF WHICH one comes, is brought, or tends
toward....[it also denotes]...the ORIGIN or SOURCE of anything, that is, the
PRIMARY, direct, IMMEDIATE SOURCE....When used of persons, it refers to the
place, stock, family, or condition, OUT OF WHICH one is derived....It may
also speak of the efficient cause, or agent from which any action or thing
proceeds, is produced, or effected from...." (Complete Word Study-New
Testament, p. 910)
  
In contrast, we read concerning DIA: "a prim. prep. denoting the channel
of an act; THROUGH." (Ibid., See No.1223) The word has also been defined as
"the Means or Instrument by which anything is effected. It is significant
and interesting that Paul only applies EK to the Father. NEVER does he apply
this Greek preposition to the Son. (With regard to creation)

Edgar G. Foster
Liberal Arts Major

Fosclean@aol.com
fos@bluenet.net



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat Apr 20 2002 - 15:38:10 EDT