Re: Ephesians 5:14

James H. Vellenga (jhv0@viewlogic.com)
Fri, 11 Jul 97 13:53:19 EDT

>From Jim Beale:
>
> The translation,
>
> But everything which is reproved by the light is made
> manifest, because all that reveals itself is light.
>
> doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

I agree with Jim B. on this one. My own attempt at translating
this verse came out

Now all things, [on] being called into account, get disclosed
by the light, because [having] everything being disclosed [is
what] light is.

I have hypothesized two differences of interpretation here,
and would be delighted to get feedback (or "zaps") on the
tenability of these hypotheses.

1. I treat PAN ... TO FANEROUMENON as a noun phrase --
something like "his coming to dinner" in "His coming
to dinner is a real treat." Less formally, one might
use a non-possessive, as in "Him coming to dinner" or
"Joe coming to dinner."

2. I treat ESTIN in a metaphoric sense, as the equivalent
of "is the nature of." In English, one might say something
like "Being overprotective _is_ motherhood."

This gives a justification for the "GAR/because." Loosely,
things get disclosed by the light, because that's the nature of
light -- to disclose things.

Regards,
j.v.

James H. Vellenga | jvellenga@viewlogic.com
Viewlogic Systems, Inc. __|__ 508-303-5491
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