KATEBH and Gen. of Apposition

B.J. Williamson hellen_ic at hotmail.com
Sat Jun 24 11:32:35 EDT 2000





"Mark Wilson" <emory2002 at hotmail.com>

>Eph 4:9
>
>TO DE ANEBH  TI ESTIN EI MH hOTI KAI KATEBH EIS TO KATWTERA MERH THS GHS
>

>How can a Genitive of Apposition denote a SUBSEQUENT descent in this verse?

What I think Wallace is saying is that "if" we take the THS GHS as 
Apposition, then we have eliminated the option of Christ descending down 
into the lower parts "of the earth" (Hades). Rather, the descent here would 
be to the lower parts, the earth. By eliminating a descent of Christ "into" 
the earth, one must then locate another "descent."

>“what does this mean except that subsequently he also descended into the 
>lower parts of the earth”
>
>Would this translation be acceptable?

For Wallace's point, change your translation to "lower parts, namely, the 
earth." The rest would then be correct in that it represents Wallace's 
point.

>
>The final statement Dr. Wallace makes in this footnote has really confused 
>me. He feels that if this idea of AFTER is correct (which, he says, “has 
>much to commend it”), then that would mean the descent is a reference to 
>the Spirit’s descent on the day of Pentecost.
>
>Is not the subject of Eph. 4:9 Christ? How could the descent of the Spirit 
>equate to a descent of Christ? I think that the KAI KATEBH (he ALSO 
>descended) would mean that the same one who ascended ALSO descended.

You are picking up Greek rather quickly I would say. Your points here are 
valid. A reference to the Spirit's descent in this verse must address your 
points, as well as the next verse, where the one who descended is identified 
as the one who also (ALSO) ascended. Likewise, the previous verse references 
the one who "gave" gifts.

Before you know it, you will be a scholar  :)

I think you are seeing that everyone's translations are influenced by his or 
her theology. When multiple options are "equally" (that is, they can be 
grammatically supported) valid translations, the tendency of the translators 
would be to migrate toward their theological persuasions.

Respectfully,

B.J. Williamson




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