Prepositions EN + Dative and DIA + genitive in 1Pet 1:5

Wes Williams (WesWilliams@usa.net)
Wed, 23 Jul 1997 22:49:19 -0600

I'm reading 1 Peter and I am aware that I'm not as sharp on the distinction
between (EN + dative) and (DIA + genitive) as I would like to be. The
target scripture is 1 Pet 1:5...

hOUS EN DUNAMEI QEOU FROUROUMENOUS DIA PISTEWS

1 Pet 1:5 - who are being safeguarded by Godās power through faith

What is the distinction between DIA and EN here? Both have impersonal
objects.

Is DIA here a weaker hUPO? I say this because "faith" is not something
tangible that can literally be an agent to safeguard one. So it looks to me
like "intermediate" agency. The "chosen ones" exercise faith and because of
this, God safeguards them. Correct?

If we say that EN here is dative of means, then we would say that God
(agent) uses power (means) to safeguard.

So why doesn't the author simply use DIA in both places? or EN in both
places? How do I distinguish the uses of agency/means here?

Thanks in advance,
Wes Williams

Senior Software Architect by day
Koine student lifelong