Re: Re Php 2:6 (2d response to David Moore)

From: Wes Williams (71414.3647@compuserve.com)
Date: Sat Jul 06 1996 - 17:13:24 EDT


Dear David,
<<Hoover, for instance, basing his arguments on non-biblical instances of the
idiom in question, says that, within the idiom hARPAGMON[-MA] hHGEISQAI [TI],
the object
under consideration is always something already posessed. And it refers to the
attitude
one will take towards something which is in one's possession and grasp already,
and will
remain there (hARPAGMOS and the Meaning of Philippians 2:5-11," by N. T.
Wright,
_Journal of Theological Studies_ 37[October 1986]: 321-52, in _The Best in
Theology_
series, Vol. 2 [Carol Stream, Ill.: CTI, n.d.], p.98). >>

Of course, this is not the usual meaning of hARPAZW in the N.T.

The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "We cannot find any passage where
[har.pa'zo] or any of its derivatives [including har.pag.mon'] has the sense of
'holding in possession,' 'retaining'. It seems invariably to mean 'seize,'
'snatch violently'. Thus it is not permissible to glide from the true sense
'grasp at' into one which is totally different, 'hold fast.'"(Grand Rapids,
Mich.; 1967), edited by W. Robertson Nicoll, Vol. III, pp. 436, 437.

The following translation committees also saw fit to render hARPAGMON as "a
thing to be grasped," and not "a thing to be retained."
ASV Philippians 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on
an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
NAS Philippians 2:6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God a thing to be grasped,
NAB Philippians 2:6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God a thing to be grasped,
RSV Philippians 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count
equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Which thought agrees with the context? Php 2:5 (the previous verse) counsels
Christians to imitate Christ in the matter here being discussed. Could they be
urged to consider it "not robbery," but their right, "to be equal with God"?
Surely not! However, they can imitate one who "did not regard equality with God
a thing to be grasped." (NAS) (Compare Genesis 3:5. [count me in with the
"oddball" group])

Sincerely and respectfully,
Wes Williams



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