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An Exegetical Study of Romans 9:6: The Syntactic Function of οὐχ οἷον … ὅτι
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Study of Romans 9:6: The Syntactic Function of οὐχ οἷον … ὅτι is based on a b-greek discussion from Fri Apr 12 01:12:07 2002. The initial query concerned the precise syntactic relationship of the clause beginning with οὐχ οἷον followed by ὅτι in Romans 9:6. The discussion noted that this construction appears to be a combination of οὐχ οἷον and οὐχ ὅτι, prompting an inquiry into how the ὅτι clause relates to οἷον. Specifically, it was proposed that οἷον might function as a predicate nominative completing an implied ἐστιν, and that the subsequent ὅτι clause could serve as an epexegetical clause, clarifying the thought of οἷον, effectively rendering the sense, “But it is not such a thing as that the word of God has failed.”
The primary exegetical issue revolves around the precise syntactic and semantic relationship between the negative adverb οὐχ, the comparative adverb οἷον, and the subsequent ὅτι clause. This construction significantly impacts the interpretation of Paul’s denial of God’s word’s failure, particularly concerning the emphasis and nuance of this negation within the broader context of Romans 9. The debate centers on whether οἷον acts as a predicate nominative with an implied verb, and if the ὅτι clause clarifies or specifies the nature of this denial, thus influencing the overall rhetorical force of the statement. Understanding this construction is crucial for accurately conveying Paul’s robust affirmation of God’s faithfulness despite the rejection by some Israelites.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
οὐχ οἷον δὲ ὅτι ἐκπέπτωκεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ.
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- There are no textual differences in this specific phrase between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT 2010 edition for Romans 9:6. Both texts read οὐχ οἷον δὲ ὅτι ἐκπέπτωκεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) apparatus for Romans 9:6 presents no significant textual variants affecting the core meaning or the specific syntactic structure of οὐχ οἷον δὲ ὅτι ἐκπέπτωκεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ. The consensus text is well-attested across major manuscript traditions for this clause.
Lexical analysis provides further insight:
- οὐχ οἷον: According to BDAG, this idiom means “not such as,” or “it is not as if,” often appearing with a subsequent ὅτι clause. It serves to emphatically negate a potential misconception or inference. KITTEL (TDNT) for οἷος indicates its use in comparison, meaning “such as,” and with negation, “not such as.” In this context, it functions as a strong denial of a specific proposition.
- ἐκπέπτωκεν: This is the perfect active indicative of ἐκπίπτω. BDAG defines it as “to lose status, fall away, fail.” In the context of “the word of God,” it carries the sense of “to fail, prove ineffectual, come to nothing.” KITTEL notes its meaning “to fall out, fall off,” and figuratively, “to fail” or “be ineffective.” The perfect tense emphasizes a completed state with ongoing consequences.
- ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ: “The word of God.” BDAG defines λόγος in this divine context as “the divine self-expression, word of God.” KITTEL highlights its use for divine communication, promises, and revelatory pronouncements. Here, it refers to God’s covenantal promises and divine plan for salvation.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The original discussion presented several translation approaches, each highlighting different interpretations of the Greek construction:
- “But it is not such a thing as that the word of God has failed.” This translation takes οἷον as a predicate nominative with an implied ἐστιν, followed by an epexegetical ὅτι clause. Grammatically, this is plausible, emphasizing the kind of situation being denied. Rhetorically, it offers a more literal, explicit denial of a specific scenario, perhaps lacking some idiomatic force in English.
- “But it is not as if the word of God has failed.” This rendition interprets οὐχ οἷον as an idiomatic phrase meaning “not as if.” Grammatically, it treats οἷον adverbially rather than nominally. Rhetorically, it conveys a strong, yet nuanced, denial of a false premise, capturing the implication that such a failure is unthinkable.
- “But that the word of God has failed is not so.” Here, the ὅτι clause is understood as the subject of the implied verb, with οὐχ οἷον serving as the predicate. Grammatically, this is a possible inversion. Rhetorically, it focuses on the falsity of the proposition itself.
- “But that the word of God has failed . . . by no means!” This is a more dynamic and emphatic translation. It views οὐχ οἷον as an extremely strong, almost interjectional, negation. Rhetorically, it effectively conveys Paul’s passion and absolute rejection of the idea, resonating with his rhetorical style in Romans.
- “But by no means has the word of God failed.” This suggestion treats οὐχ οἷον as a forceful, emphatic negative equivalent to “by no means,” thereby simplifying the grammatical relationship of the ὅτι clause to a direct statement. Rhetorically, it provides a very direct and powerful denial of the word of God’s failure, emphasizing its impossibility.
- Peterson’s Message paraphrase, “Don’t suppose for a moment, though, that God’s Word has malfunctioned in some way or other,” captures the *rhetorical intent* of Paul’s emphatic objection. While a paraphrase, it correctly identifies the function of οὐχ οἷον … ὅτι as countering a potential misconception or doubt regarding God’s faithfulness.
The grammatical and rhetorical analysis reveals that the construction οὐχ οἷον δὲ ὅτι functions as a potent denial, explicitly refuting the idea that God’s promises have failed. Whether interpreted as an idiomatic “not as if,” an emphatic “by no means,” or a more literal “not such a thing as that,” the core message is Paul’s forceful rejection of any suggestion of divine unfaithfulness. The variations in translation largely stem from different assessments of the idiomatic force versus the literal syntactic structure of οἷον within this complex negation.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The phrase οὐχ οἷον δὲ ὅτι ἐκπέπτωκεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ in Romans 9:6 serves as a robust and emphatic denial by Paul that God’s word or promises have failed. This statement is crucial in setting the stage for Paul’s subsequent argument concerning God’s sovereign election and faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel’s partial unbelief. The construction οὐχ οἷον … ὅτι is best understood as an idiomatic expression that strongly negates a potential inference or misconception. It is not merely a logical refutation but a passionate assertion of God’s unwavering reliability.
Based on the grammatical and rhetorical analysis, the following translation suggestions aim to capture the nuanced meaning and emphatic force of Paul’s statement:
- “But it is not as if the word of God has failed.” This translation effectively conveys the idiomatic sense of οὐχ οἷον as “not as if,” strongly rejecting the notion that God’s promise could be broken.
- “But by no means has the word of God failed.” This rendition emphasizes the absolute and emphatic nature of Paul’s denial, interpreting οὐχ οἷον as a forceful negation of possibility.
- “But that the word of God has failed is utterly not the case.” This option takes the ὅτι clause as the proposition being denied, with οὐχ οἷον providing an emphatic and complete rejection of its truthfulness.
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