From: Eric Weiss (eweiss@gte.net)
Date: Sun Jan 26 1997 - 16:38:04 EST
I went out on a limb at church this morning when I shared "off the cuff"
the following interpretation of Galatians 5:6 in light of James 5:16.
Any comments on whether I went too far?
Galatians 5:6
EN GAR CRISTWi IHSOU OUTE PERITOMH TI ISCUEI OUTE AKROBUSTIA ALLA PISTIS
DI AGAPHS ENERGOUMENH
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision (or
"neither being circumcised nor being uncircumcised" - i.e., operating
from an "old creation" distinction or in accordance with the methods of
ones old existence) is able to do anything - but faith, when (or "by")
operating/being put-into-effect through love, [is able to do things]."
(This, as opposed to the standard translation: "For in Christ Jesus
neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is (or "means") anything, but
faith working through love." [I asked (and answered): "faith working
through love --" what? What follows the participle? Isnt there an
implied finite verb, i.e.,: "Faith working through love [means, is, or
does something]"?]
Anyway, I shared that I saw in this a parallel to James 5:16:
POLU ISCUEI DEHSIS DIKAIOU ENERGOUMENH
"The prayer of a righteous man, when (or "by") operating/being
put-into-effect, is able to do much."
I.e.,:
POLU ISCUEI DEHSIS DIKAIOU ENERGOUMENH
[TI ISCUEI] PISTIS DI AGAPHS ENERGOUMENH
I suppose the same parallel could be made if TI ISCUEI (Galatians) and
POLU ISCUEI (James) are translated "has any meaning/value" and "has much
meaning/value". So I guess my second question would be: is it better to
translate ISCUEI in these verses as "has meaning/value" or as "is able
to do" - or are either possible?
-- "Eric S. Weiss" http://home1.gte.net/eweiss/index.htm
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