Galatians 2:8

An Exegetical Analysis of Ellipsis and Grammatical Function in Galatians 2:8

This exegetical study of Galatians 2:8 ellipsis is based on a b-greek discussion from February 16, 2008. The initial inquiry concerns the grammatical structure of Galatians 2:8, specifically the phrases εἰς ἀποστολὴν τῆς περιτομῆς (eis apostolēn tēs peritomēs) and εἰς τὰ ἔθνη (eis ta ethnē). The questioner posited an expectation for an ellipsis of the accusative ἀποστολήν (apostolēn) followed by the genitive τῶν ἐθνῶν (tōn ethnōn), which would yield a construction akin to (εἰς) ἀποστολὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν. However, the observed text presents εἰς τὰ ἔθνη, leading to an investigation into the significance of this grammatical difference.

The central exegetical issue revolves around the precise grammatical construction of the parallel clauses in Galatians 2:8, particularly Paul’s choice of εἰς τὰ ἔθνη (accusative with preposition) instead of an anticipated genitive construction like τῶν ἐθνῶν (as part of an implied ἀποστολὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν), or even a full repetition of εἰς ἀποστολὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν. This choice raises questions about the nature of the ellipsis, the specific function of the preposition εἰς (eis) with the accusative, and whether it implies a subtle semantic or rhetorical distinction in Paul’s commissioning to the Gentiles compared to Peter’s to the Circumcision. The discussion explores whether the noun ἀποστολή is elided, and if so, how that impacts the case of ἔθνη.

ὁ γὰρ ἐνεργήσας Πέτρῳ εἰς ἀποστολὴν τῆς περιτομῆς ἐνήργησεν καὶ ἐμοὶ εἰς τὰ ἔθνη (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• No textual differences are observed in this verse between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT (2010). Both editions present the text identically.

The textual stability of Galatians 2:8 across critical editions such as Nestle 1904, SBLGNT (2010), and NA28 indicates a high degree of certainty regarding the original Greek text. No significant variants are noted for this passage. Lexically, several key terms inform the interpretation:

• ἐνεργέω (energeō): According to BDAG, this verb means “to be at work, to operate, be effective,” often employed with a divine subject. Here, God (ὁ ἐνεργήσας) is explicitly the agent of this powerful work. KITTEL (TWNT) would emphasize its theological nuance of divine efficacy and spiritual power.
• ἀποστολή (apostolē): BDAG defines this as “a sending, commission, mission; function or office of an apostle.” KITTEL (TWNT) would further elaborate on its theological significance as a divine commissioning for a specific task.
• περιτομή (peritomē): BDAG gives “circumcision,” or metonymically, “the circumcised” as a term for Jewish people.
• ἔθνη (ethnē): BDAG notes this as “nation, people,” often specifically “Gentiles” or “heathen” in a biblical context. The immediate contrast with περιτομή confirms its meaning as “Gentiles” in this verse.
• εἰς (eis): BDAG lists meanings such as “into, to, toward,” often denoting “purpose, result, destination.” Its function here is crucial for understanding the “for,” “unto,” or “among” aspect of the mission.

Translation Variants

The grammatical structure of Galatians 2:8 presents a compelling case for an ellipsis. The first clause, ὁ γὰρ ἐνεργήσας Πέτρῳ εἰς ἀποστολὴν τῆς περιτομῆς, explicitly states that God worked in Peter “for an apostleship to the circumcised.” The parallel second clause, ἐνήργησεν καὶ ἐμοὶ εἰς τὰ ἔθνη, omits the noun ἀποστολήν, retaining only the preposition εἰς followed by the accusative τὰ ἔθνη. Had Paul intended a genitive construction like τῶν ἐθνῶν (e.g., in a phrase `ἀποστολὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν`), it would either require the explicit repetition of ἀποστολήν (rendering `εἰς ἀποστολὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν`) or, if εἰς were also omitted, leave an ungrammatical “hanging genitive” as noted in the discussion. Therefore, the most grammatically coherent reading is that ἀποστολήν is indeed elided, but the preposition εἰς is retained, dictating the accusative case for τὰ ἔθνη.

Rhetorically, this ellipsis creates a concise and powerful parallelism. By omitting ἀποστολήν in the second clause, Paul maintains the structural symmetry while emphasizing the contrast between the two target groups: the circumcised and the Gentiles. The retention of εἰς with the accusative τὰ ἔθνη may highlight the dynamic aspect of the divine working, portraying God’s action as directly penetrating *into* or *among* the Gentiles, rather than simply defining the *office* or *sphere* of the apostleship to them. This choice emphasizes the mission field itself as the direct recipient or sphere of God’s enabling work, making the statement more immediate and forceful. The implied meaning is still “for an apostleship,” but the directness of εἰς τὰ ἔθνη underscores the ultimate destination and objective of that apostolic empowerment.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The textual integrity of Galatians 2:8 is well-established, with no significant variants influencing its interpretation. The grammatical analysis points to a clear ellipsis of the noun ἀποστολήν in the second clause, with the preposition εἰς retained, requiring the accusative τὰ ἔθνη. This construction emphasizes the direct sphere or target of God’s effective work, highlighting the destination of Paul’s mission rather than merely the formal designation of his office. The stylistic choice achieves conciseness and rhetorical force in establishing the parallel yet distinct spheres of apostolic ministry for Peter and Paul.

1. “For he who worked effectively in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised, worked also in me unto the Gentiles.” (This translation prioritizes a literal rendering, acknowledging the ellipsis by retaining the direct phrase “unto the Gentiles,” which implies the apostleship.)
2. “For he who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised, worked also in me for the apostleship to the Gentiles.” (This version explicitly supplies the elided noun “apostleship” for clarity, making the parallelism fully transparent in English.)
3. “For he who empowered Peter for the apostolic mission to the circumcised also empowered me for the mission among the Gentiles.” (This translation opts for a more dynamic and interpretive rendering, capturing the sense of divine empowerment and the active nature of the “mission among” the Gentiles, reflecting the directness implied by εἰς τὰ ἔθνη.)