The datives for TOIS APOLLUMENOIS and TOIS...SWIZOMENOIS convey the meaning
"to", as in, "to those who are being lost". The dative often carries the
meaning "to" or "for" - in my Gramcord notes, this is referred to as the
"Pure Dative". Another way of putting this is to say that these datives
identify indirect objects.
I have a hard time answering the question "just what do they modify, ESTIN,
or MWRIA?", since they don't really modify anything. I think it may be
helpful to think of the verse this way:
SUBJECT: hO LOGOS GAR hO TOU STAUROU
Indirect object #1: TOIS MEN APOLLUMENOIS
Predicate clause: MWRIA ESTIN
Indirect object #2: TOIS DE SWiZOMENOIS hUMIN
Predicate clause: DUNAMIS QEOU ESTIN
The subject functions as the subject for two different object/predicate
constructions. In each case, the indirect object gives the scope for the
predicate clause - only those who are perishing think that the cross is
foolishness, and only we who are being saved think that it is the power of God.
Does this help?
Jonathan
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Jonathan Robie jwrobie@mindspring.com http://www.mindspring.com/~jwrobie
POET Software, 3207 Gibson Road, Durham, N.C., 27703 http://www.poet.com
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