Ephesians

[John Reece]

Throughout this thread, entries in the 4th section (Analysis) will consist of excerpts from A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament, by Max Zerwick and Mary Grosvenor (Rome: Biblical Institute Press, 1981).

Occasionally, the Analysis may include, in brackets, an entry headed BG: all such entries will consist of quotations from Biblical Greek: Illustrated by Examples, by Maximilian Zerwick S.J., English edition adapted from the fourth Latin edition by Joseph Smith S.J. (Scripta Pontificii Instituti Biblici: Rome, 1963).

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:1-2):

[greek]PauloV apostoloV Cristou dia qelhmatoV qeou[/greek]
[greek]toiV agioiV toiV ousin en Efesw kai pistoiV en Cristw Ihsou,[/greek]
[greek]cariV umin kai eirhnh apo qeou patroV umin kai kuriou Ihsou Cristou.[/greek]

Transliteration:

Paulos apostolos Cristou dia thelēmatos theou
tois hagiois tois ousin en Ephesō kai pistois en Christō Iēsou,
charis humin kai eirēnē apo theou patros humin kai kuriou Iēsou Christou.

Translation (ESV):

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]oi agioi[/greek] [with rough breathing (^h) before both] : the saints, because dedicated to God ; title of all believers.
[greek]ousin[/greek] : participle of [greek]eimi[/greek] be.
[greek]pistoV[/greek] : faithful.
[greek]cariV kai eirhnh[/greek] : combines and Christianizes Greek and Hebrew greetings, [greek]cairein[/greek] and shālōm.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:3):

[greek]EuloghtoV o qeoV kai pathr tou kuriou hmwn Ihsou Cristou,[/greek]
[greek]o euloghsaV hmaV en pash eulogia pneumatikh en toiV epouranioiV en Cristw,[/greek]

Transliteration:

Eulogētos ho theos kai patēr tou kuriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou,
ho eulogēsas hēmas in pasē eulogia pneumatikē en tois epouraniois en Christō,

Translation (ESV):

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]EuloghtoV[/greek] : blessed (be).
[greek]euloghsaV[/greek] : aorist participle of [greek]eulogew tina tini[/greek] bless one with something.
[greek]en[/greek] : instrumental with.
[greek]eulogia[/greek] : blessing.
[greek]pneumatikoV[/greek] : spiritual.
[greek]epouranioV[/greek] : heavenly, (whether existing in heaven, or coming from heaven or leading to heaven), here, it would seem as verse 20 and 2:6, in heaven.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:4):

[greek]kaqwV exelexato hmaV en autw pro katabolhV kosmou[/greek]
[greek]einei hmaV agiouV kai amwmouV katenwpion autou en agaph.[/greek]

Transliteration:

kathōs exelexato hēmas en autō pro katabolēs kosmou
einei hēmas hagious kai amōmous katenōpion autou en agapē.

Translation (ESV):

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
[Note: the ESV verse division differs from the Greek —JR]

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]kaqwV[/greek] : here perhaps causal, for.
[greek]exelexato[/greek] : aorist of [greek]eklegomai[/greek] choose.
[greek]pro[/greek] : before.
[greek]katabolh[/greek] : (< [greek]kataballw[/greek] lay a foundation) foundation.
[greek]einei[/greek] : infinitive of [greek]eimi[/greek] be.
[greek]agioV[/greek] : verse 1.
[greek]amwmoV[/greek] : unblemished.
[greek]katenwpion[/greek] : in the sight of, before.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:5):

[greek]proorisaV hmaV eiV uioqesian dia Ihsou Cristou eiV auton,[/greek]
[greek]kata thn eudokian tou qelhmatoV autou.[/greek]

Transliteration:

proorisas hēmas eis huiothesian dia Iēsou Cristou eis auton,
kata tēn eudokian tou thelēmatos autou.

Translation (ESV):

he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]proorisaV[/greek] : aorist participle of [greek]proorizw[/greek] (< [greek]oroV[/greek] boundary) of God, predestine (having in mind his [greek]proqesiV[/greek] purpose, verse 11).
[greek]uioqesia[/greek] : adoption as a son, [greek]eiV uioqesian dia Ihsou Cristou eiV auton[/greek] to (receive) through Jesus Christ sonship to himself.
[greek]auton[/greek] : for [greek]eauton[/greek].
[greek]eudokia[/greek] : goodwill, [greek]kata thn eudokian tou qelhmatoV autou[/greek] translate as it pleased his will.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:6):

[greek]eiV epainon doxhV thV caritoV autou[/greek]
[greek]hV ecaritwsen hmaV en tw hgaphmenw[/greek]

Transliteration:

eis epainon doxēs tēs caritos autou
hēs ecaritōsen hēmas en tō hēmas en tō ēgapēmenō

Translation (ESV):

to the praise of his glorious grace,
with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]eiV[/greek] : denotes purpose, to, for.
[greek]epainoV[/greek] : praise.
[greek]hV[/greek] : by which, attracted from [greek]h[/greek] [with rough breathing, circumflex accent, and iota subscript] instrumental.
[greek]ecaritwsen[/greek] : aorist of [greek]caritow[/greek] favor one with something, bestow something freely on one.
[greek]hgaphmenw[/greek] : beloved, perfect passive participle of [greek]agapow[/greek] love.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:7):

[greek]en w ecomen thn apolutrwsin dia tou aimatoV autou,[/greek]
[greek]thn afesin twn paraptwmatwn,[/greek]
[greek]kata to ploutoV thV karitoV autou.[/greek]

Transliteration:

en hō echomen tēn apolutrōsin dia tou haimatos autou,
tēn aphesin tōn paraptōmatōn,
kata to ploutos tēs caritos autou.

Translation (ESV):

In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]en w[/greek] : masculine, in whom ; a key thought in this chapter.
[greek]apolutrwsiV[/greek] : redemption, liberation Rom 3:24.
[greek]afesiV[/greek] : (< [greek]afihmi[/greek] forgive) forgiveness.
[greek]paraptwma[/greek] : (< [greek]parapiptw[/greek] to fall away; to fail) transgression.
[greek]ploutoV[/greek] : wealth.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:8):

[greek]hV eperisseusen eiV hmaV,[/greek]
[greek]en pash sofia kai fronhsei,[/greek]

Transliteration:

hēs eperisseusen eis hēmas,
en pasē sophia kai phronēsei,

Translation (ESV):

which he lavished upon us,
in all wisdom and insight

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]eperisseusen[/greek] : aorist of [greek]perisseuw[/greek] literally "cause something to overflow" to one, i.e., cause one to overflow with something, lavish/shower something upon one. The words [greek]en pash sofia kai fronhsei[/greek] may be associated with the preceding words or with those which follow.
[greek]fronhsiV[/greek] : understanding.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:9):

[greek]gnwrisaV hmin to musthrion tou qelhmatoV autou,[/greek]
[greek]kata thn eudokian autou hn proeqeto en autw[/greek]

Transliteration:

gnōrisas hēmin to mustērion tou thelēmatos autou,
kata tēn eudokian autou hēn proetheto en autō

Translation (ESV):

making known to us the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]gnwrisaV[/greek] : aorist participle of [greek]gnwrizw[/greek] make known.
[greek]musthrion [/greek] : (< [greek]muew[/greek] initiate) in Paul, mystery, secret, of truths only apprehended through revelation, especially referring to God's plan.
[greek]eudokia[/greek] : verse 5.
[greek]proeqeto[/greek] : aorist middle of [greek]protiqhmi[/greek] set before, middle propose, purpose.
[greek]en autw[/greek] : ["in him"] i.e. to be realized in Christ.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:10):

[greek]eiV oikonomian tou plhrwmatoV twn kairwn,[/greek]
[greek]anakefalaiwsasqai ta panta tw Cristw,[/greek]
[greek]ta epi toiV ouranoiV kai ta epi thV ghV.[/greek]

Transliteration:

eis oikonomian tou phērōmatos tōn kairōn,
anakephalaiōsasthai ta panta tō Christō,
ta epi tois ouranois kai ta epi tēs gēs,

Translation (ESV):

as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in him,
things in heaven and things on earth.

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]eiV[/greek] : verse 6.
[greek]oikonomia[/greek] : administration, especially God's plan of salvation.
[greek]plhrwma[/greek] : fullness, [greek]plhrwmatoV twn kairwn[/greek] cf. Gal 4:4,. but here embracing the messianic era in its entirety with special reference to its consummation.
[greek]anakefalaiwsasqai[/greek] : (< [greek]kefalh[/greek] head) aorist middle infinitive of [greek]anakefalaiow[/greek] sum up under one head (either sums or e.g. a discussion) ; also recapitulate ; the context favors to sum up/comprehend all things in Christ as head.
[greek]epi toiV ouranoiV[/greek] : in heaven ; the genitive after [greek]epi[/greek] ([greek]thV ghV[/greek]) bears no perceptible difference in meaning.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:11):

[greek]En w kai eklhrwqhmen[/greek]
[greek]proorisqenteV[/greek]
[greek]kata proqesin tou ta panta energountoV[/greek]
[greek]kata thn boulhn tou qelhmatoV autou.[/greek]

Transliteration:

En ^hō kai eklērōthēmen
prooristhentes
kata prothesin tou ta panta energountos
kata tēn boulēn tou thelēmatos autou.

Translation (ESV):

In him we have obtained an inheritance,
having been predestined
according to the purpose of him who works all things
according to the counsel of his will,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]eklhrwqhmen[/greek] : aorist passive of [greek]klhrow[/greek] appoint or choose by lot ([greek]klhroV[/greek] [a lot]) ; "in whom we have been made his heritage, i.e. claimed as God's own" (JB).
[greek]proorisqenteV[/greek] : aorist passive participle of [greek]proorizw[/greek] verse 5.
[greek]proqesiV[/greek] (< [greek]protiqhmi[/greek] set before) purpose, [greek]kata proqesiV[/greek] in accordance with the purpose.
[greek]energountoV[/greek] : participle of [greek]energew[/greek] work, effect, carry out.
[greek]boulh[/greek] : of God, intention.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:12):

[greek]eiV to einei hmaV eiV epainon doxhV autou[/greek]
[greek]touV prohlpikotaV en tw Cristw.[/greek]

Transliteration:

eis to einei ^hēmas eis epainon doxēs autou
tous proēlpikotas en tō Christō.

Translation (YLT):

for our being to the praise of His glory,
[even] those who did first hope in the Christ,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]eiV to[/greek] : with accusative + infinitive final, denotes the purpose, here of the choice.
[greek]eimi eiV[/greek] : exist for.
[greek]epainoV[/greek] : praise.
[greek]prohlpikotaV[/greek] : perfect participle of [greek]proelpizw[/greek] hope before ; be the first to hope.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:13):

[greek]En w kai umeiV akousanteV ton logon thV alhqeiaV,[/greek]
[greek]to euaggelion thV swthriaV umwn,[/greek]
[greek]en w kai pisteusanteV esfragisqhte tw pneumati thV epaggeliaV tw agiw.[/greek]

Transliteration:

En ^hō kai ^humeîs akoúsantes ton lógon tēs alētheías,
to euaggélion tēs sōtērías ^humōn,
en ^hō kai pisteúsantes esphragísthēte tō pneúmati tēs epaggelías tō ^hagíō

Translation (YLT):

In whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth
-- the good news of your salvation --
in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]kai[/greek] : also, too.
[greek]akousanteV[/greek] : aorist participle of [greek]akouw[/greek] hear.
[greek]swthria[/greek] : salvation.
[greek]pisteusanteV[/greek] : aorist participle of [greek]pisteuw[/greek] believe ; [greek]en w kai pisteusanteV[/greek] resumes the former [greek]en w[/greek] referencing Christ.
[greek]esfragisqhte[/greek] : aorist passive of [greek]sfragizw[/greek] affix a seal ([greek]sfragiV[/greek]) sometimes in order to close, at others to identify, referencing the gift of the Holy Spirit ; many exegetes see here a specific reference to baptism which was called [greek]h sfragiV[/greek] from the earliest extra-canonical writings onwards, marking Christians as children of God and heirs of heaven.
[greek]epaggelia[/greek] : promise, [greek]tw pneumati thV epaggeliaV[/greek] the Spirit promised by the prophets.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:14):

[greek]o estin arrabwn thV klhronomiaV hmwn,[/greek]
[greek]eiV apolutrwsin thV peripoihsewV,[/greek]
[greek]eiV epainon thV doxhV autou.[/greek]

Transliteration:

^ho estin arrabōn tēs klēronomias ^hēmōn.
eis apolutrōsin tēs peripoiēseōs,
eis epainon tēs doxēs autou.

Translation (ESV):

who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until we acquire possession of it,
to the praise of his glory.

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]arrabwn[/greek] -[greek]wnoV o[/greek] : earnest (money), pledge.
[greek]klhronomia[/greek] : (< [greek]klhroV[/greek] lot + [greek]nemw[/greek] assign) inheritance.
[greek]eiV[/greek] : temporal until.
[greek]apolutrwsiV[/greek] : verse 7.
[greek]peripoihsiV[/greek] : ([greek]peripoiew[/greek] acquire) acquisition ; as in English may mean the act of acquiring, redemption which is our acquisition by God (epexegetical genitive) 1 Thess 5:9; 2 Thess 2:14. or in passive sense of the thing acquired, a concrete possession, signifying his people (objective genitive), so, with [greek]laoV[/greek] ["people"] in 1 Peter 2:9.
[greek]eiV epainon[/greek] : verse 6.

[John Reece]

Text (Ephesians 1:15):

[greek]Dia touto kagw akousaV thn kaq' umaV pistin en tw kuriw Ihsou[/greek]
[greek]kai thn agaphn thn eiV pantaV touV agiouV,[/greek]

Transliteration:

Dià toûto kagō akoúsas tēn kath' ^humâs pístin en tō kuríō Iēsoû
kaì tēn agápēn tēn eis pántas toùs ^hagíous,

Translation (ESV):

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and your love toward all the saints,

Analysis (Zerwick):

[greek]dia touto[/greek] : for this reason.
[greek]kagw[/greek] = [greek]kai egw[/greek].
[greek]kata[/greek] : with accusative often standing (in Hellenistic Greek) for possessive genitive, [greek]kaq' umaV[/greek] your.
[greek]thn agaphn[/greek] : your love [[textual variant omits]].
[greek]agioV[/greek] : verse 1.