We all know that Greek uses ὁ differently than English uses “the.” In fact, I am hesitant to even talk about the Greek definite article, since ὁ functions so differently much of the time.
One of the more difficult constructions is the prepositional phrase where ὁ is regularly omitted. In fact, when you see ὁ before the object of the preposition, it should make you sit up and take notice.
But knowing when to include “the” is a matter of exegesis, and sometimes it can be tricky.
In Rom 3:21, “the” clearly needs to be added. “But now apart from the law (χωρὶς νόμου) the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” (NIV). Apart for the NRSV, all major translations see that Paul is speaking of “the” Mosaic covenant.
But in Rom 6:15, it is a little more difficult. Paul concludes his prior argument by saying, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law (ὑπὸ νόμον), but under grace. ” He then starts a new but related argument with, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law (ὑπὸ νόμον) but under grace (ὑπὸ χάριν)? By no means!” (NIV).
In both these cases, there is no ὁ in the prepositional phrase. And it is certainly possible that Paul is thinking of the Mosaic covenant (see Moo’s commentary, KJV, NLT). But if you check the other translations, you can see there are other interpretations. The ESV reads, “Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?” (see also the NASB, NRSV, HCSB, NET).
The question, though, is whether this makes a difference. What would “law” mean rather than “the law”? I suspect that either way “law” is the Mosaic covenant, but omitting “the” does leave the door open for other options.
As always, exegetical decisions are based on context and, if applicable, one’s theology.
It is interesting to trace the use of “grace” (χάρις) through 2 Cor 8:1-9. Paul is making use of the semantic domain of χάρις to mean “grace” and “kindness,” and it is the use of the same Greek word that ties the entire argument together.
The giving of the Macedonian church was the result of God’s grace at work in their midst (v 1). The Corinthians were to complete their act of gracious giving (v 6). They were in fact to excel in this grace of giving (v 7), just as Jesus graciously, though he was rich, became poor, so the Corinthians could become rich (v 8).
Given the role of χάρις in Paul’s argument, it is a bit surprising that the translations don’t keep the concordance in v 4. In speaking of the Macedonian church, he says, “they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege (χάριν) of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (NIV, cf. the NRSV, HCSB). Other translations speak of “favor” (ESV) and “blessing” (NET).
While there is nothing wrong in these translations (given the fact of semantic range), the point is that the Macedonian church understood the grace of God in their own midst, and they wanted to extend this same grace to the Jewish Christians. Giving is an act of grace that is done in response to the gift of grace we ourselves have experienced. Why not say something like, “the gracious privilege” so pastors don’t’ have to point out that the translations are missing a key point?
This is the key passage to the New Testament doctrine of giving, and is quite an indictment of the American church. The statistic that keeps coming up is that the average American evangelical gives 2.2% of their income to the work of the ministry. Online ministries on average receive financial support from less than 1% of the people who use their services. Hardy gracious, wouldn’t you think? The Old Testament tithe is anywhere from 10% to 28%, and we are told to “excel” in our giving (v 7). Hmmm.
Do you think it is truly possible to have experienced God’s grace but yet not respond to others with grace? This question goes far beyond the grace of giving.
I came across this on Google+ and had to repost it. Good advice from Amanda Patterson.
1. “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” ~ Mark Twain
2. “If writing seems hard, it’s because it is hard. It’s one of the hardest things people do.” ~ William Zinsser
3. “Writing well means never having to say, ‘I guess you had to be there.’ ” ~ Jef Mallett
4. “Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it’s just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it.” ~ David Sedaris
5. “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” ~ Red Smith
6. “Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.” ~ E.L. Doctorow
7. “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” ~ James Michener
8. “Easy reading is damn hard writing.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne
9. “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.” ~ Isaac Asimov
10. “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” ~ Stephen King
11. “Ink and paper are sometimes passionate lovers, oftentimes brother and sister, and occasionally mortal enemies.” ~ Terri Guillemets
12. “Write drunk, edit sober.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
