The phrase DIA TOU AIMATOS occurs in the three verses in subject line
above. Some of the interpretive tendencies focus heavily on other letters,
i.e., Hebrews, where similar phrasing appears, with more direct emphasis.
Yet, the actual efficacy of salvation in the NT has variants, i.e.,
emphasis on life, death, or resurrection of Christ (see Anchor Bible
Dictionary, entry: Atonement, for a treatment of this diversity and the
historical interpretive narrowness).
Could this phrase, in the Greek, intend <<in spite of>> as Zerwick pens
(see my previous post with his excerpt) regarding the dia with genitive
construction, i.e., do the riches of God's grace overcome _even_ the
shedding of the blood of the son, rather than being dependendent upon it
(dependency or agency doesn't seem to be the construct in question anyway,
rather, a prepositional movement _through_). Perhaps I have misunderstood
Zerwick -- he isn't addressing these verses in particular, after all --
perhaps he is speaking of a different construction, but I think he was only
dealing with context in his suggestion (which doesn't occur in Dana and
Mantey, Machen, or Smyth, so far as I could see (or as far as I remember
seeing).
I am not interested in proving this either way. I am interested in
understanding how the Greek might be translated. Helps toward a different
construction, if the author wished to make a different point, or similar
literature, where a similar phrase is used, with specific intent, would be
greatly appreciated.
Again, thanks for the time and energy devoted to this question thus far.
If someone wishes to pursue the theological ramifications, please address
me off list -- I'd be happy to discourse (tentatively) regarding the
(im)probabilities via email, if someone else has an interest.
--- May God's blessing be in all your relationships. [Adapted from Lakota]