Genitive strings in Eph 1

Randy Leedy (RLEEDY@wpo.bju.edu)
Wed, 22 Jan 1997 09:35:12 -0500

While we (some of us, at least) are on the subject of genitive
strings in Ephesians 1, I'd like to add another thought that seems to
bear on some of them. There are several examples of X of Y phrases
where X and Y are synonyms. I take Y in these cases as genitive of
apposition, and understand the construction as a device for elevating
the tone of the language. In each case it seems that either of the
words alone would do; yet Paul combines them. A quick skim of the
chapter yields these examples.

X Y
1:5 KATA THN EUDOKIAN TOU QELHMATOS AUTOU

X Y
1:11 KATA THN BOULHN TOU QELHMATOS AUTOU

X Y
1:13 TON LOGON THS ALHQEIAS (possibly)

X Y Z
1:19 THN ENERGEIAN TOU KRATOUS THS ISCUOS AUTOU

The last one is my favorite, consisting of 3 members rather than two.

Does anyone have a better way of understanding these phrases?

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In Love to God and Neighbor,
Randy Leedy
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
RLeedy@wpo.bju.edu
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