An Exegetical Analysis of the Genitive Construction in 2 Thessalonians 1:7: The Adjectival Genitive and Semitic Influence in Pauline Greek
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of the Genitive Construction in 2 Thessalonians 1:7: The Adjectival Genitive and Semitic Influence in Pauline Greek is based on a b-greek discussion from November 1st, 2013. The initial discussion explored the opinion regarding the adjectival use of the genitive τῆς δόξης and the likelihood of Semitic influence in Paul’s Greek, referencing Moulton and Turner (Vol. 2, p. 21). Moulton and Turner posited that Paul, being bilingual in Greek and Aramaic, was unlikely to import foreign constructions into his Greek, and that his “Semitisms are secondary at most—defensible as Greek, and natural to a Greek ear,” detecting only a few in Ephesians and hardly elsewhere.
The central exegetical issue at hand concerns the precise interpretation of the genitive phrase μετ’ ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ in 2 Thessalonians 1:7. The primary debate is whether δυνάμεως functions as an adjectival genitive, describing the quality of the angels (i.e., “powerful angels”), or as a possessive or genitive of appurtenance, indicating that the angels are associated with or ministers of Christ’s power (i.e., “angels of his power”). The crucial element in this discussion is the placement and referent of the possessive pronoun αὐτοῦ, which many scholars argue governs δυνάμεως exclusively, thus challenging the adjectival or “Hebraism” interpretation.
καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς θλιβομένοις ἄνεσιν μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἐν τῇ ἀποκαλύψει τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ μετ’ ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ ἐν φλογὶ πυρός, διδόντος ἐκδίκησιν τοῖς μὴ εἰδόσι θεὸν.. (7-8a)
(Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- The phrase ἐν φλογὶ πυρός (Nestle 1904) appears as ἐν πυρὸς φλογί in SBLGNT (2010). This represents an inversion of word order (fire of flame vs. flame of fire), though the semantic meaning remains largely the same.
- The dative plural participle εἰδόσι (Nestle 1904) appears as εἰδόσιν in SBLGNT (2010), a common orthographic variation for dative plural endings before a word beginning with a vowel.
Textual Criticism (NA28): The specific phrase under examination, μετ’ ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, exhibits no significant textual variants across the major manuscript traditions. The NA28 text largely aligns with SBLGNT in its presentation of 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8a, adopting ἐν πυρὸς φλογί and εἰδόσιν, supported by robust manuscript evidence (e.g., P46, א, A, B, C, D, F, G, P, Ψ). The interpretation of the genitive construction, therefore, rests purely on grammatical and rhetorical analysis rather than textual emendation.
Lexical Notes (BDAG, KITTEL):
- ἄγγελος (BDAG: “messenger, angel”): In a New Testament context, it commonly refers to celestial beings who serve as divine messengers or agents, often associated with divine judgment or revelation.
- δύναμις (BDAG: “power, strength, ability”): This term encompasses various aspects of power, including inherent ability, manifest might, or miraculous works. In a theological context, particularly in Paul, δύναμις frequently denotes God’s divine power active in the world, often through Christ or the Spirit. KITTEL (TDNT) emphasizes its connection to God’s sovereign might and the eschatological display of His rule. The ambiguity lies in whether this power is an inherent quality of the angels or the divine power of Christ that the angels administer.
- αὐτοῦ (BDAG: third-person possessive pronoun “his, her, its”): Here, αὐτοῦ functions as a possessive pronoun, referring to “the Lord Jesus” (τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ) mentioned earlier in the verse. Its placement is crucial for determining the scope of its modification within the genitive phrase.
Translation Variants
The interpretation of μετ’ ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ has given rise to two primary translation approaches, each with distinct grammatical and rhetorical implications:
1. Adjectival Genitive: “With his powerful/mighty angels.”
This rendering interprets δυνάμεως as a genitive of quality, describing the inherent characteristic of the angels. This approach is favored by the King James Version (“with his mighty angels”) and many modern translations (e.g., NASB, ESV, NIV, NRSV, REB, NAB). Proponents, such as F.F. Bruce (who labels it a “Hebraism”), and Jowett, suggest an analogy with Hebrew idiom where a genitive noun can function adjectivally (e.g., LXX υἱοὶ δυνάμεως, “men of valor,” or ἄρχοντες δυνάμεως, “chiefs of forces”). Grammatically, this would imply that the genitive δυνάμεως is qualifying ἀγγέλων, indicating that they are angels characterized by power or might. However, this interpretation faces considerable challenge due to the presence and position of the possessive pronoun αὐτοῦ. Scholars like Plummer, Ellicott, and Lightfoot strongly reject this view, arguing that αὐτοῦ is awkwardly placed if it is meant to modify ἀγγέλων indirectly through δυνάμεως. Lightfoot, in particular, states that “the position of αὐτοῦ would thus be rendered extremely awkward,” and argues that such an interpretation would “dwell rather on the power of subordinate beings than of the Lord Himself.” The LXX parallels cited also lack the crucial pronominal suffix, weakening their direct applicability to the 2 Thessalonians 1:7 construction.
2. Possessive or Appurtenance Genitive: “With the angels of his power” or “with the angels who are ministers of his power.”
This rendering interprets δυνάμεως as a genitive expressing possession or appurtenance, meaning the angels belong to, are characterized by, or function as agents of Christ’s power. This is the view adopted by the ASV (“the angels of his power”) and is widely supported by exegetical consensus among commentators such as Plummer, Ellicott, Lightfoot, Wanamaker, Fee, and Best. Ellicott notes that the genitive “appears to fall under the general head of the gen. possessivus, and serves to mark that to which the ἄγγελοι appertained, and of which they were the ministers.” Similarly, Lightfoot suggests the meaning as “with the angels, the ministers of His power.” The pronoun αὐτοῦ, in this understanding, directly modifies δυνάμεως (“his power”), and the angels are then understood in relation to that power. Wanamaker emphasizes that this phrase serves “to emphasize the character of the coming Lord, rather than the quality or nature of the angels who will accompany him.” Best clarifies that it likely means “the ‘angels which belong to his power’ (possessive genitive).” This interpretation prioritizes the attribution of power to Christ and views the angels as instruments or manifestations of that divine power.
The broader discussion on the nature of the Greek genitive, as articulated by scholars like Zerwick and Robertson, supports the idea that the genitive primarily indicates “appurtenance” or “genus/kind,” with the precise nature of the relationship determined by context. While not resolving the ambiguity definitively, this perspective allows for “angels of his power” as a natural expression of a relationship of belonging or function, where the angels are inextricably linked to and serve the divine power of Jesus Christ.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The weight of grammatical evidence and exegetical scholarship strongly favors interpreting μετ’ ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ as a genitive of appurtenance or possession, where the pronoun αὐτοῦ clearly modifies δυνάμεως. This emphasizes that the angels are not merely powerful in themselves, but are intimately connected with, and serve as ministers of, the Lord Jesus Christ’s divine power at his eschatological appearing. The interpretation of an adjectival genitive, while popular in some modern translations, introduces grammatical awkwardness regarding the placement of αὐτοῦ and potentially shifts the theological focus from Christ’s power to the angels’ inherent might.
- “with the angels of his power” (This literal translation accurately reflects the possessive or appurtenance relationship between the angels and Christ’s divine power.)
- “with the angels who minister his power” (This interpretive translation clarifies the functional role of the angels as agents and instruments of Christ’s power, aligning with the exegetical consensus.)
- “with his powerful angels” (While widely adopted by modern translations, this rendering faces significant grammatical challenge due to the position of αὐτοῦ and the potential shift in emphasis from Christ’s power to the angels’ inherent might.)