Greek Language Analysis
The Letter to the Ephesians was originally written in Koine Greek, the common language of the eastern Mediterranean world during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Analyzing the Greek text provides deeper insights into the letter's meaning, nuances, and theological richness that might be missed in translation.
Ephesians stands out among Paul's letters for its elevated style, complex sentence structure, and rich vocabulary. This analysis examines the distinctive features of the Greek text, notable linguistic patterns, key theological terms, and significant grammatical elements that illuminate the letter's meaning.
The words "in Ephesus" (ἐν Ἐφέσῳ, en Ephesō) are missing in some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, including P46, Codex Sinaiticus (ℵ), and Codex Vaticanus (B). This has led many scholars to suggest that Ephesians was originally a circular letter meant for multiple congregations, with the destination left blank to be filled in as the letter circulated.
The Greek of Ephesians is characterized by an elaborate, almost lyrical style that distinguishes it from some of Paul's other letters. The sentences are notably longer and more complex, with abundant use of participles, infinitives, and subordinate clauses.
The opening blessing (1:3-14) comprises a single sentence of 202 words in Greek—one of the longest sentences in the New Testament. This periodic style with cascading clauses creates a sense of breathless wonder at God's redemptive work.
Ephesians contains approximately 40 words that appear nowhere else in the New Testament (hapax legomena). The letter also features an abundance of compound words, especially those with the prefixes συν- (syn-, "with/together") and ἀνα- (ana-, "up/again"), emphasizing themes of unity and resurrection.
Examples include συνοικοδομέω (synoikodomeō, "build together"), συνεγείρω (synegeirō, "raise together"), and ἀνακεφαλαιόομαι (anakephalaioōmai, "sum up/bring together under one head").
Ephesians makes extensive use of certain prepositional phrases that carry theological significance:
ἐν Χριστῷ (en Christō, "in Christ") and its variants appear over 30 times, emphasizing believers' incorporation into and identification with Christ.
ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις (en tois epouraniois, "in the heavenly places/realms") occurs 5 times, highlighting the vertical dimension of Christian experience.
κατὰ (kata, "according to") appears frequently to ground actions and blessings in God's attributes and purposes.
The letter features striking chains of genitive constructions that create theologically rich expressions. For example:
τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ (to ploutos tēs doxēs tēs klēronomias autou, "the riches of the glory of his inheritance," 1:18)
τὴν οἰκονομίαν τοῦ πληρώματος τῶν καιρῶν (tēn oikonomian tou plērōmatos tōn kairōn, "the administration of the fullness of the times," 1:10)
The Greek word χάρις (charis) is central to the theology of Ephesians. While commonly translated as "grace," its semantic range includes favor, goodwill, kindness, and gift. In classical Greek, it often denoted charm or attractiveness, but in the New Testament, it primarily refers to God's unmerited favor toward sinners.
In Ephesians, χάρις is frequently connected with salvation, emphasizing that salvation is entirely God's gift rather than human achievement. The phrase "by grace" (τῇ χάριτι, tē chariti) in 2:8 uses the dative case to indicate the means or instrument of salvation.
The term μυστήριον (mystērion) is particularly significant in Ephesians, where it refers to God's previously hidden plan that is now revealed in Christ. Unlike modern usage, which suggests something puzzling or incomprehensible, in the New Testament μυστήριον designates a divine secret that was previously unknown but is now disclosed through revelation.
In Greek mystery religions, μυστήριον referred to secret rites or teachings revealed only to initiates. Paul repurposes this term to indicate that God's cosmic plan—particularly the inclusion of Gentiles as full members of God's people—was previously hidden but now revealed through Christ and the apostles.
The Greek verb περιπατέω (peripateō) literally means "to walk around" but is used metaphorically in Ephesians to describe the believer's conduct or way of life. This metaphor of walking as a description of ethical behavior has roots in Hebrew thought (the concept of "walking in God's ways") and is particularly prominent in Ephesians.
The practical section of Ephesians (chapters 4-6) is structured around a series of instructions about how Christians should "walk," covering different aspects of Christian behavior. The metaphor suggests that Christian conduct is not static but progressive, involving consistent daily steps in a particular direction.
Ephesians frequently employs groups of three—phrases, clauses, or terms—creating a rhythmic, memorable quality in the Greek text. Examples include:
- The triadic blessing structure in 1:3-14: Father (1:3-6), Son (1:7-12), Spirit (1:13-14)
- "Faith, love, hope" motif in 1:15-18
- "One body, one Spirit, one hope" in 4:4-6, expanding to a sevenfold unity
- The triad of "all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering" in 4:2
The Greek text contains numerous pleonastic expressions—phrases that use more words than necessary to convey meaning, creating emphasis and fullness of expression. Examples include:
- "The riches of the glory" (τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης, to ploutos tēs doxēs, 1:18)
- "The working of the strength of his might" (τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ κράτους τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ, tēn energeian tou kratous tēs ischyos autou, 1:19)
- "The exceeding greatness" (τὸ ὑπερβάλλον μέγεθος, to hyperballon megethos, 1:19)
Ephesians makes significant use of the "divine passive" (passivum divinum)—passive verbs where God is understood as the implied agent, even though He is not explicitly mentioned. This construction emphasizes God's initiative and action. Examples include:
- "You have been saved" (σεσῳσμένοι, sesōsmenoi, 2:5, 8)
- "Created in Christ Jesus" (κτισθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ktisthentes en Christō Iēsou, 2:10)
- "Having been sealed" (ἐσφραγίσθητε, esphragisthēte, 1:13)
The author frequently uses the Greek present tense to emphasize the continuing nature of spiritual realities. This creates a sense of immediacy and ongoing experience rather than merely historical facts. Examples include:
- "In whom we have (ἔχομεν, echomen) redemption" (1:7)
- "Who is (ἔστιν, estin) the guarantee of our inheritance" (1:14)
- "For through him we both have (ἔχομεν, echomen) access in one Spirit to the Father" (2:18)
This passage contains several notable grammatical features that affect interpretation:
The opening eulogy of Ephesians (1:3-14) forms a single complex sentence in Greek—one of the longest sentences in the New Testament. This periodic style was considered elegant in Hellenistic Greek rhetoric and creates a sense of mounting praise as clause builds upon clause.
The passage demonstrates several distinctive features of the Greek of Ephesians:
| Feature | Ephesians | Other Pauline Letters | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Sentence Length | Longer and more complex | Generally shorter and more direct | Creates a more formal, elevated style suitable for a circular letter |
| Prepositional Phrases | Abundant, especially ἐν Χριστῷ (en Christō, "in Christ") | Present but less concentrated | Emphasizes believers' incorporation into Christ and God's action through Christ |
| Unique Vocabulary | ~40 words unique to Ephesians | Each letter has distinctive vocabulary | Reflects the letter's distinctive themes and possibly situational factors |
| Compound Words | Many compounds, especially with συν- (syn-, "with") | Present but less frequent | Emphasizes unity, participation, and shared experience in Christ |
| Hapax Legomena | ἀνακεφαλαιόομαι (anakephalaioōmai, "sum up"), πολυποίκιλος (polypoikilos, "manifold") | Each letter contains unique words | Indicates distinctive theological concerns and literary creativity |
| Genitive Constructions | Extended chains of genitives | Present but typically shorter | Creates theologically rich expressions that stack multiple concepts |
The Greek text of Ephesians displays remarkable linguistic sophistication, theological depth, and stylistic elegance. Its elaborate sentence structures, rich vocabulary, and distinctive grammatical features create a letter that stands out even within the Pauline corpus. The Greek of Ephesians is characterized by:
Understanding these Greek language features enriches our appreciation of Ephesians, allowing us to grasp nuances that might otherwise be missed in translation and to encounter more fully the letter's profound theological vision of Christ, the Church, and the Christian life.