Carl responded:
>It is an instrumental dative: translate it "by means of" or
"by reason of."
>It explains the causal factor for the Fall of Humanity. If
the cause were a
>PERSON, it would have been genitive with hUPO, but as it is
a THING, it is
>in the dative (normally without a preposition, occasionally
in Koine with
>EN).
Carl,
I am aware that grammars disagree on this point, but are you
saying that the hUPO would be used with a person because of the instrumental
dative, or because of the causal, or both? I ask since we do have the
instrumental dative with persons in Gal 3:8 hOTI ENEULOGHSONTAI EN SOI PAUTA
TA EQNH. "All nations will be blessed by means of you." At least, I see it
as an instrumental dative.
Sincerely,
Wes Williams