συζωοποιέω; Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13
Posted: June 3rd, 2014, 2:53 am
Bart Ehrman opines that 2 Timothy was not written by Paul and one reason he gives is that in Ephesians 2:1-5 Paul believes in a resurrection of sorts that is currently underway in his time and that the writer of 2 Timothy does not.
I note that a key word in Paul's discussion in Ephesians 2:1-5 is συζωοποιέω. It seems to be a word coined by Paul and only used in Christian literature. The definition given in BDAG is "make alive together with someone" and is found only in two places in the New Testament; Ephesians 2:5
Col. 2:13. The word is taken to be a composite of two words; the preposition συν and ζωοποιέω with the word ζωοποιέω being composed of ζωός + ποιέω meaning "make alive" with the result that συζωοποιέω is seen to mean "make alive with". However, I wonder if there isn't another possible construction for συζωοποιέω;
συζάω and ποιέω. The meaning of συζάω contains the idea of "live with someone" and it is used in the Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4, 1:9 in the context of living with a sinner and in other writings with the idea of bodyguards living with the king.
It is found at Romans 6:8; 2 Corinthians 7:3 and 2 Timothy 2:13.
With that in mind if it turns out that the meaning of συζωοποιέω could have the meaning of "cause to live with/together" what would that mean for the text in question (Ephesians 2:1-5)? Here is where I can use some help from more experienced readers of Greek. The main verb is so far removed from some of the important descriptors that it seems to me to minimize some of the contextual features that seem to become more salient in the English translation. In particular the very opening phrase of verse 1 "Καὶ ὑμᾶς ὄντας νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν" but which is repeated before the main verb but with the personal pronoun ἡμᾶς (we) instead of the initial ὑμᾶς (ya'll). But in its repetition it again brings this important phrase to the foreground, so...the contrast of ὄντας νεκροὺς (being dead) with συζωοποιέω (made alive with) makes sense. But is it possible that the more complete phrase ὄντας νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν (being dead in your sins) is evoking the image of the leprous walking dead who may be dwelling singly or as an outcast community are now συζωοποιέω (being made to dwell) with Christ? They are also elevated and seated in exalted positions (ἐπουρανίοις see Eph. 6:12 for evidence this word need not always refer to a position in heaven) because of the undeserved honor of "being made to dwell" with Christ.
Colossians 2:13 is easier reading and presents much the same thought. It also, presents a further reason for not being worthy to dwell (in the holy camp? temple?) with him; their uncircumcised state.
So rather than speaking of being made alive with the Christ (in some spiritual/symbolic way) Paul is perhaps making a different point; that they were being made to dwell with the Christ. Certainly the NT presents both God and Christ as proving to be in their midst, dwelling in the spiritual temple made up of spirit begotten Christians.
I note that a key word in Paul's discussion in Ephesians 2:1-5 is συζωοποιέω. It seems to be a word coined by Paul and only used in Christian literature. The definition given in BDAG is "make alive together with someone" and is found only in two places in the New Testament; Ephesians 2:5
Col. 2:13. The word is taken to be a composite of two words; the preposition συν and ζωοποιέω with the word ζωοποιέω being composed of ζωός + ποιέω meaning "make alive" with the result that συζωοποιέω is seen to mean "make alive with". However, I wonder if there isn't another possible construction for συζωοποιέω;
συζάω and ποιέω. The meaning of συζάω contains the idea of "live with someone" and it is used in the Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4, 1:9 in the context of living with a sinner and in other writings with the idea of bodyguards living with the king.
It is found at Romans 6:8; 2 Corinthians 7:3 and 2 Timothy 2:13.
With that in mind if it turns out that the meaning of συζωοποιέω could have the meaning of "cause to live with/together" what would that mean for the text in question (Ephesians 2:1-5)? Here is where I can use some help from more experienced readers of Greek. The main verb is so far removed from some of the important descriptors that it seems to me to minimize some of the contextual features that seem to become more salient in the English translation. In particular the very opening phrase of verse 1 "Καὶ ὑμᾶς ὄντας νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν" but which is repeated before the main verb but with the personal pronoun ἡμᾶς (we) instead of the initial ὑμᾶς (ya'll). But in its repetition it again brings this important phrase to the foreground, so...the contrast of ὄντας νεκροὺς (being dead) with συζωοποιέω (made alive with) makes sense. But is it possible that the more complete phrase ὄντας νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν (being dead in your sins) is evoking the image of the leprous walking dead who may be dwelling singly or as an outcast community are now συζωοποιέω (being made to dwell) with Christ? They are also elevated and seated in exalted positions (ἐπουρανίοις see Eph. 6:12 for evidence this word need not always refer to a position in heaven) because of the undeserved honor of "being made to dwell" with Christ.
Colossians 2:13 is easier reading and presents much the same thought. It also, presents a further reason for not being worthy to dwell (in the holy camp? temple?) with him; their uncircumcised state.
So rather than speaking of being made alive with the Christ (in some spiritual/symbolic way) Paul is perhaps making a different point; that they were being made to dwell with the Christ. Certainly the NT presents both God and Christ as proving to be in their midst, dwelling in the spiritual temple made up of spirit begotten Christians.