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Syntactic Ambiguity and Parenthetical Structures in Ephesians 3:16-17: An Exegetical Analysis
This exegetical study of Syntactic Ambiguity and Parenthetical Structures in Ephesians 3:16-17 is based on a b-greek discussion from March 15th, 2017. The initial query concerns the identification of parenthetical statements in Pauline literature, particularly in Ephesians. The author notes Paul’s frequent use of such constructions and seeks guidance on methods for discerning their boundaries.
The central exegetical problem presented is whether Ephesians 3:16-17 contains a complex parenthetical structure, specifically “a parenthesis within a parenthesis,” encompassing the phrase ἵνα δῴη ὑμῖν κατὰ τὸν πλοῦτον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον, κατοικῆσαι τὸν Χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν. This raises significant questions regarding the syntactic flow, logical coherence, and thematic emphasis of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, impacting the precise relationship between the divine empowerment, the indwelling of Christ, and the ultimate purpose of the prayer.
ἵνα δῴη ὑμῖν κατὰ τὸν πλοῦτον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον, κατοικῆσαι τὸν Χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν (Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- No significant textual differences in Ephesians 3:16-17 between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT (2010). Both critically edited texts present a stable Greek tradition for these verses.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
The text of Ephesians 3:16-17 exhibits remarkable stability across critical editions. The NA28, representing the current critical consensus, presents the identical Greek text as Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 for these verses, indicating a strong and uncontested manuscript tradition.
Lexically, several terms warrant attention:
- δῴη (from δίδωμι): A third-person singular aorist optative, signifying a wish or potential. BDAG defines it as “to give, grant, bestow.” Here it introduces the content of Paul’s prayer.
- πλοῦτον τῆς δόξης: “riches of glory.” This genitive construction (genitive of content/quality) emphasizes the magnificent and abundant nature of God’s glory as the standard or measure (κατά) by which the requested spiritual gifts are given.
- δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι: “to be strengthened with power.” κραταιόω (aorist passive infinitive) means “to be made strong, be strengthened, be powerfully established” (BDAG). It highlights divine empowerment from within.
- διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ: “through his Spirit.” The preposition διά with the genitive indicates the means or agency of this strengthening.
- εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον: “into the inner person.” BDAG defines ἔσω ἄνθρωπος as “the inner self, the spiritual part of a human being,” contrasting it with the outward physical self. The preposition εἰς indicates the sphere or recipient of this strengthening.
- κατοικῆσαι (from κατοικέω): An aorist infinitive meaning “to reside, dwell, inhabit” (BDAG). Its theological significance here pertains to Christ’s permanent and experiential indwelling in the believer.
- διὰ τῆς πίστεως: “through faith.” This instrumental phrase highlights the human receptive response necessary for Christ’s indwelling.
For deeper theological insights into terms like δύναμις, δόξα, πνεῦμα, and κατοικέω, comprehensive theological dictionaries such as Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament would provide extensive discussions on their background and Pauline usage.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The primary exegetical challenge in Ephesians 3:16-17 centers on the syntactic relationship between the two infinitive clauses: δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον and κατοικῆσαι τὸν Χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν. Both infinitives are dependent on the initial ἵνα δῴη ὑμῖν clause, indicating the desired outcome of Paul’s prayer. The question of a “parenthesis within a parenthesis” arises from how these infinitives relate to each other.
Grammatically, κραταιωθῆναι functions as the direct object of the verb δῴη, indicating *what* Paul prays for God to grant. The subsequent infinitive, κατοικῆσαι, can be understood in several ways, influencing translation. It is most commonly interpreted as either:
- An epexegetical infinitive, explaining or defining the nature of the strengthening. In this view, the indwelling of Christ is the *content* or *result* of being powerfully strengthened in the inner being.
- A coordinate infinitive, presenting a second, parallel request or purpose directly dependent on δῴη. This implies two distinct but related outcomes of the prayer.
While the structure is complex and involves multiple layers of purpose and explanation, labeling it strictly as a “parenthesis within a parenthesis” might overstate its grammatical detachment. Parentheses typically involve a break in the main syntactic flow, often marked by punctuation or clear grammatical indicators, where the inserted material offers supplementary information. Here, both infinitive clauses are integral to the specific content of Paul’s prayer request. The second infinitive (κατοικῆσαι) elaborates on or specifies the first (κραταιωθῆναι), creating a rich, layered expression of divine work rather than a disconnected insertion.
Rhetorically, Paul frequently employs extensive and interwoven clauses to convey the profundity and multi-faceted nature of God’s grace and spiritual blessings. This cumulative style, while demanding careful syntactic parsing, serves to amplify the significance of his message, here emphasizing the comprehensive scope of spiritual transformation.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
In conclusion, while the passage exhibits a complex layering of infinitive clauses, it is best understood not as a strict “parenthesis within a parenthesis,” but as a highly elaborate and interdependent syntactic structure. The infinitive κατοικῆσαι functions primarily as an epexegetical or explicative infinitive, clarifying and specifying the nature of the spiritual strengthening expressed by κραταιωθῆναι. The indwelling of Christ is the ultimate goal and manifestation of the divine empowerment of the inner person. This construction serves Paul’s rhetorical purpose of comprehensively describing the depth of God’s spiritual provision.
Here are three translation suggestions, each highlighting a slightly different nuance:
- That according to the riches of his glory he would grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, and that Christ may dwell through faith in your hearts.
This translation emphasizes two distinct but related outcomes, treating the second infinitive as coordinate. - That according to the riches of his glory he would grant you to be powerfully strengthened through his Spirit in your inner being, namely, for Christ to dwell through faith in your hearts.
This option highlights the epexegetical relationship, where the indwelling of Christ specifies the nature of the strengthening. - That according to the riches of his glory he would grant you to be powerfully strengthened through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ takes up residence through faith in your hearts.
This rendition frames the second infinitive as a direct result or purpose of the first, using a more dynamic verb for “dwell.”
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