<<My poit is primarily toshow that both within Paul's letters and
witin the NT at large, the verb ECW occurs frequently with EXOUSIAN and
frequently EXOUSIAN governs a prepositional phrase which begins with
EPI. Certainly these other examples are not evidence for metonymy.
EXOUSIA means authority,period. So also in 1 COr 11:10 there is no need
to resort to metonymy or metaphor or anythihg else. The text is
completely intelligible as it stands. The woman has authority over,
that is, concerning, her head, not a sign of authority to let her pray
or prophesy. Before I'd entertain that as a viable alternative, I'd
want to search the TLG for every occurence of ECW with EXOUSIAN EPI and
check evey single reference, and that I leave to someone with more
time. If there's not a problem with a straightforward understanding of
the text, I don't see a reason to opt for a meaning which is less than
straightforward. >>
I understand your point and normally I would agree for EXOUSIAN ECEIN EPI,
except in this context you have a discussion revolving around KATA KEFALHS.
Paul seems very clear that for a woman to pray and prophecy with an uncovered
head is shameful (11:4-6, 13-16), so it seems strange for him to turn around
and then say she has authority over her head to do what she wants with it.
Paul is clearly limiting her authority over her head. Thus EPI should be
understood in the common sense of "upon." The problem is not with structure,
but context.
Charles Powell
DTS