From: GregStffrd@aol.com
Date: Tue May 15 2001 - 23:54:56 EDT
In a message dated 05/15/2001 2:40:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
Clwinbery@aol.com writes:
<< I find that Louw and Nida is very helpful. Domain 89.16 reads;
ARCHS, HS f: one who or that which constitutes an initial cause — ‘first
cause, origin.’ hH ARCH THS KTISEWS TOU QEOU ‘the origin of what God has
created’ Re 3:14. It is also possible to understand ARCH in Re 3:14 as
meaning ‘ruler’ (see 37.56).
Carlton Winbery >>
Dear Carl:
I am not sure how helpful this citation is in answering the question
regarding Rev. 3:14. The lexicon cites the text in question and gives a
meaning that it believes is legitimate. Citing a text to support a meaning
for the very text you cite is not good reasoning, as I am sure you would
agree.
So we are left wondering on what grammatical and/or semantic grounds these
conclusions are based? Any? I am not aware of any parallel uses to ARCH in
Revelation 3:14 in NT or other Greek literature that support "source" or
"origin" (that is, apart "source" or "origin" in the way that one who is the
beginning [hence, "beginner"] can be considered the source [i.e., starting
point] of that which is in view). I am also not aware of any compelling
reason to adopt "ruler" over "beginning" in light of 1) the NT preference for
using ARCWN for "ruler" (as in Rev. 1:5) and 2) the fact that in the NT where
we do find ARCH with the meaning "ruler" it is always accompanied by terms
denoting power (DYNAMIS) or authority (EXOUSIA). (See Lu 12:11; 20:20; Ro
8:38; 1Co 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10; 2:15; Tit 3:1.)
Frankly, I think the Louw Nida lexicon showed a lack of concern for its
readers in only offering these two meanings for this verse, and not even
granting the possibility of the most well-founded (grammatically and
semantically) meaning. Of course, no reference work is free of criticism. It
is still a very helpful tool.
Best regards,
Greg Stafford
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