From: Mike Sangrey (msangrey@BlueFeltHat.org)
Date: Wed Mar 14 2001 - 16:45:44 EST
jim@dardenhome.com said:
> Since SWTERIA is always singular in the NT is it really that
> significant? It might be more significant if Paul used the plural of
> SWTERIA (i.e., the only case in the NT). But I agree, this passage is
> generally understood as you-singular not ya'll. That in itself is
> significant. Thanks for the insight.
That's a good question and I can offer no definitive answer.
I will offer a few items I hope provoke you to think.
1. We too readily think of salvation in terms of "getting into
heaven." I think Scripture paints a picture which incorporates the
here and now, also. A broader definition of SWTERIA and cognates
alleviates the difficulties we have with some problem passages
involving `salvation', `saved', et al. Such a key theological term
will be VERY difficult to discuss on BGreek, so may I suggest, if
discussion does ensue, that it keep to the lexical aspects of the
cognate group.
2. EAUTOU can be reciprocal. That is, there is the reciprocal use of
the reflexive pronoun. Cf. Smith section 1231-2 "The plural forms of
the reflexive pronouns are often used for the reciprocal ALLHLWN."
This makes Paul to say to the Philippian Christians, "Work out one
another's salvation." Given the thematic development of humility in
the letter coupled with service to one another, and the allowance of a
more expansive definition of `salvation', it is my opinion that
Phil. 2:12 is the thematic sentence of this section (which is
1:12-3:2). And it appears to be pervasively mistranslated!
Lastly, since this is the `plural you' thread: John 1:51 contains
another shift from singular to plural `you'.
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