Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Ephesians 6:2 - 6:2

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Ephesians 6:2 - 6:2


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2 f. τίμα τὸν πατέρα. In the case of the children it was natural to clinch the instruction by a quotation from the Commandments which they must have been taught early.

ἥτις ἐστὶν ἐντολὴ πρώτη ἐν ἐπαγγελίᾳ, ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται καὶ ἔσῃ μακροχρόνοις. The upshot of this sentence is perfectly clear, though there is a perplexing variety of possible punctuations. The construction is complicated by the fact that ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται κ.τ.λ. is a continuation of the quotation already begun. It is probably best to suppose that St Paul is picking out characteristics of this commandment which would commend it specially to children. He selects two. It is ‘a primary Commandment,’ standing in the front rank. Note the absence of the article. This classification of commandments was attractive to the Jewish mind. Cf. Mar 12:28. Does not πρώτη πάντων suggest that there might be a class of ‘Primary’ Commandments? Cf. τὰ βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου Mat 23:23. It is also ‘ἐν ἐπαγγελίᾳ,’ ‘encompassed about with a promise,’ ‘with a promise to back it up.’ ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται is then introduced abruptly, as it were with quotation marks, out of strict construction, ‘That it may be well with thee.’ The change to the fut. ind. is remarkable. It is not due to the LXX. It may mark a change to the direct language of promise ‘And thou shalt be,’ but the fut. ind. in dependence on ἵνα is not unexampled, e.g. Rev 22:14.