GENESIS in James 1:23

Paul Zellmer (zellmer@isabela.faith.edu.ph)
Wed, 20 May 1998 17:15:32 -0800

What think ye about the meaning of TO PROSWPON THS GENESEWS AUTOU in
James 1:23? Several English translations render this "his own face,"
but that seems a bit weak to me. If we go with "his natural face,"
then are we contrasting it to his spiritual face? Or does it imply a
face that has imperfections (assuming that all "natural" things are
imperfect)? If it is "his living face" or the like, then what is being
placed outside of his consideration--his "dead" face? If it is "his
original face," then is he going to have plastic surgery? Perhaps, in
the light of verse 24, GENESIS refers to his ancestry, and PROSWPON is
figurative. The words I "know." How they work together in this
situation, I'm unsure.

Any takers?

Paul

Paul and Dee Zellmer, Jimmy Guingab, Geoffrey Beltran
Ibanag Translation Project
Cabagan, Philippines

zellmer@faith.edu.ph