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Meaning of HUPARCHWN

Posted: May 4th, 2018, 10:39 am
by gregcoupe
Have I interpreted the word hypárchōn (HUPARCHWN) correctly?:
"In 1 Cor 11:3, 7 we are told man is “being” (hypárchōn) God’s “image and glory.” Greek hypárchōn is composed of the elements hypo (under) and archṓ (begin, be first, rule), and literally translates as 'under-beginning' (Thayer's Greek Lexicon, s.v. ἄρχω [757] and ὑπάρχω [5225]; Help Word Studies, s.v. ὑπάρχω). Here it may imply that man originated in the image of God, with the divine image as his underlying substrate."

Re: Meaning of HUPARCHWN

Posted: May 4th, 2018, 12:15 pm
by Jonathan Robie
I don't think any lexicon would support that, and there's a reason standard translations don't come out that way.

Perhaps it would be helpful to start with a lexicon and concordance entry for ὑπάρχω. That will give you the normal understanding and examples of where the word is used.

Re: Meaning of HUPARCHWN

Posted: May 4th, 2018, 12:37 pm
by Eeli Kaikkonen
This is called "root fallacy" or "etymological fallacy", namely that etymology of a word or the components of a compound word determine its meaning. Actually usage determines the meaning, and even then it's the contemporary usage. Group of people have common understanding about the word because they use it in communication. You wouldn't accept any "exegesis" of you own words which would tell what you mean by resorting to etymology.

You will do a great favor to yourself if you read D. A. Carson's Exegetical Fallacies. You can find also internet resources:

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles ... fallacies/
https://www.google.com/search?client=ub ... 8&oe=utf-8
http://www.ntgreekstudies.com/blog/comm ... -fallacies

etc. etc.