There are no commas in Greek, there are really, really long sentences, and it sometimes is a problem. A simple comma can change everything. Sometimes it is significant, sometimes it doesn’t change much.
The other day I decided to look up something in Greek in Ephesians. I had studied ancient Greek for 3 years in college.
Here is the Greek literal translation of Eph 1:4-5:
“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be be holy and without blame before him in love he chose beforehand for to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ.”
No commas in Greek (at least in the original). But the Bibles add the commas for us English readers. Read the difference from the KJV and every other translation.
KJV: “He chose us in him…to be holy and blameless before him in love. He predestined us….”
Everyone else: “He chose us in him…to be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us…”
The change matters.
Is he asking us to be holy and blameless in our love?
Or is he saying it was in love he predestined us?
Very different.
And for a moment I felt encouraged. I’m not a KJV only person but to be holy and blameless in love? For me that draws me more than just being holy and blameless and that’s it. To be holy and blameless in love gives me mission and grace.
It’s also nice to think that in love he predestined us to be adopted as sons. Adoption in love is assumed as it is an eternal covenant.
The Greek is not clear as to which way “love” goes. That’s why the different translations.
But for now I’m leaning toward the KJV rendering. We’re to be holy and blameless in our love. It means my love must mature. Not just my moral uprightness. Things to ponder.
