Ephesians 1:3

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An Exegetical Analysis of καθὼς in Ephesians 1:4

This exegetical study of “Ephesians 1:3-4: The Significance of καθὼς” is based on a b-greek discussion from Fri Jul 28 12:47:05 EDT 2006.

The discussion centers on the nuanced interpretation of the Greek conjunction καθὼς in Ephesians 1:4, which carries a range of meanings including ‘just as’, ‘according to’, or ‘basis’. This lexical flexibility gives rise to varied understandings of how divine blessing (mentioned in Ephesians 1:3) relates to the concept of election (introduced in Ephesians 1:4). Proposed relationships included: (1) blessings transpiring in the same manner as election, (2) blessings being grounded in the reality of election, or (3) blessings being conferred in accordance with election.

The central exegetical issue lies in determining the precise semantic function of καθὼς within its immediate and broader co-text. The question is whether this conjunction primarily indicates a *correlation* or *manner* between the blessing and election, or if it establishes a *causal* relationship, presenting election as the foundational reason for the blessings. A further dimension of this problem involves discerning whether election itself is to be understood as one of the “spiritual blessings” enumerated in the preceding verse, or merely as the divine precondition or basis for those blessings. This has led to divergent scholarly views, with some commentators like Hoehner, O’Brien, and Hendriksen arguing that election constitutes one of the blessings, while others, such as Salmond and Martin-Lloyd Jones, interpret election as the basis, leaving the specific blessings undefined in this passage. The challenge is to reconcile these interpretations within the cohesive rhetorical structure of Ephesians 1:3-14, recognized as a single, expansive sentence of praise.

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ εὐλογήσας ἡμᾶς ἐν πάσῃ εὐλογίᾳ πνευματικῇ ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ, 4 καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• There are no significant textual variants or differences between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT (2010) for Ephesians 1:3-4 that alter the interpretation of καθὼς or its surrounding context.

Textual Criticism (NA28), Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG):

The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) does not report any significant textual variants for καθὼς or the immediate context in Ephesians 1:3-4. The integrity of the Greek text in this passage is well-attested.

Lexical resources illuminate the semantic range of καθὼς (kathōs):

• KITTEL’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) observes that καθὼς primarily expresses comparison, translated as “just as” or “even as.” However, it can also introduce a clause of cause or explanation, signifying “since” or “because,” often underscoring a correspondence in either manner or fact.
• BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) offers two primary categories:
  • ‘as, just as, in the same way as’ (a comparative or modal function), indicating a congruence in the mode or quality of actions.
  • ‘inasmuch as, because, since’ (a causal or explanatory function), providing the reason or foundation for an action. BDAG specifically cites Ephesians 1:4 as an example of this causal sense, suggesting it means “since we have been chosen in him.” Notably, BDAG further implies that in this context, καθὼς may also serve to specify the content or defining characteristic of the blessing, thus bridging the distinction between cause and inherent nature.

This lexical ambiguity, where a term can carry both modal and causal implications, underscores the challenge in assigning a singular, exclusive function to καθὼς in Ephesians 1:4. The overlap suggests that the cause or basis for an action can inherently involve the manner of its execution or its defining characteristics.

Translation Variants

A thorough grammatical and rhetorical analysis of Ephesians 1:4, particularly focusing on the role of καθὼς, reveals three principal interpretative frameworks:

1. The Modal/Comparative Interpretation: This perspective holds that καθὼς primarily denotes *manner* or *correlation*. It suggests that God’s act of blessing believers is analogous to or occurs *in the same way that* He chose them. This view emphasizes a divine parallelism, where election serves as the divine pattern, standard, or mode by which the blessings are bestowed. The spiritual blessings are thus seen as consistent with, and reflective of, God’s eternal purpose in election. Proponents of this view observe that election, as a spiritual act, is not necessarily excluded from the encompassing phrase “every spiritual blessing” in verse 3.

2. The Causal/Explanatory Interpretation: In this framework, καθὼς functions as a causal or explanatory conjunction, best rendered as ‘because’ or ‘since’. Here, election is presented as the fundamental reason or ultimate ground for the spiritual blessings. This causal relationship can be further nuanced to suggest that election also *explains* or *defines* the very nature of these blessings. That is, the election not only acts as the originating cause but also imparts specific content and character to the spiritual benefits. This interpretation resonates with the understanding of Ephesians 1:3-14 as a Berakah—a traditional Jewish praise formula where the reasons and attributes of God’s praiseworthy acts are systematically enumerated. Within this structure, election stands as a primary, foundational reason for God’s exalted praise.

3. The Plenary Interpretation: This approach advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of καθὼς, acknowledging its capacity to convey both modal and causal nuances simultaneously. Rather than an “either/or” choice, this “plenary” view suggests that election is *both* the foundational reason for the spiritual blessings *and* the defining mode or characteristic of those blessings. This allows for a richer understanding of the text, recognizing that the blessings are not merely a consequence of election but are intrinsically shaped and defined by it. The election, therefore, is intimately connected to both the *origin* and the *kind* of spiritual blessings believers receive. This view can accommodate the idea that καθὼς introduces a series of specific blessings that illustrate God’s actions, with election itself being a pivotal aspect of these comprehensive divine provisions.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The analysis of καθὼς in Ephesians 1:4 underscores its multifaceted semantic contribution to the passage. While distinct modal and causal interpretations offer valuable insights, a synthetic approach that embraces the “plenary” nature of the conjunction appears to provide the most comprehensive understanding. In this view, God’s eternal election is not merely the ultimate ground upon which spiritual blessings are bestowed but also profoundly shapes and defines the very nature, purpose, and scope of those blessings. Therefore, καθὼς functions as an introductory element that elucidates both the *reason* and the *manner* by which God has lavished these spiritual benefits upon believers, with election serving as both their divine origin and their intrinsic characteristic.

Suggested translations illustrating these nuances:

1. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.”
   This translation emphasizes the comparative or modal aspect, portraying election as the pattern or corresponding divine act that establishes the character of the blessings.
2. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, because he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.”
   This rendering highlights the causal relationship, presenting election as the fundamental reason or ultimate ground from which the spiritual blessings flow.
3. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, inasmuch as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.”
   This translation attempts to capture the “plenary” sense, suggesting that election is both the divine basis for the blessings and that the blessings themselves are characterized and defined by God’s eternal choice.

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