Monday with Mounce

1 Corinthians 15:24 presents an unusual problem. Paul’s argument is that Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits of all who have died (v 20) and that in Christ all will be made alive (v 22). This will happen in a specific order, first Christ and then those who belong to him (23). Then comes the end, εἶτα τὸ τέλος (v 24a).

Because “you” in English can be singular or plural, translation can become awkward when the Greek is plural. In 1 Cor 3:16, Paul is talking about divisions in the church and warns the Corinthians about the seriousness of their divisiveness. The ESV reads, “Do you not know that you* (ἐστε) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (ἐν ὑμῖν)?” Italics added. The footnote on “you” indicates “you” and the other pronouns are plural.

While we understand that words have a range of meaning; nevertheless, there can be precision in the meaning of a word. Case in point is οὕτως. It’s core meaning is “in this manner, thus, so,” referring back to what was said or forward to what will be said (BDAG 1 and 2). It can also function as a “marker of a relatively high degree, so” and can also mean “without further ado, just, simply” (BDAG 3 and 4). What it does not mean is “and.” This is why I was surprised at the NIV’s translation of οὕτως in 2 Peter 1:11. Let me unpack Peter’s argument.

I know. καί and pain in the same title. Strange bedfellows. I still remember a few years back when my family was going through a time of deep pain and sadness. A good friend asked me, “Bill, why are you hanging on to the edge of the pool? Just let go and sink.” A strange idea amid pain, but it has stuck with me, and it was some of the best advice I have ever received. Here’s the exegesis behind it.

How you decide on the meaning of a Greek word that rarely occurs?

In Titus 2, Paul gives a list of characteristics and activities for older men (v 2) and then older women (vv 3–5). This later group is to teach the younger women to be “busy at home (οἰκουργούς).” How do you define οἰκουργός? Both it and its variant οἰκουρός occur only here in the New Testament and rarely in secular literature.