meaning of θριαμβεύω in 2 Cor 2:14

Semantic Range, Lexicography, and other approaches to word meaning - in general, or for particular words.
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Davis Prickett
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Joined: August 1st, 2011, 4:26 pm

meaning of θριαμβεύω in 2 Cor 2:14

Post by Davis Prickett »

I am wondering about the possibilities of translating θριαμβεύω in 2 Cor 2:14. Most older translations seem to refer that ἡμᾶς as being led in victory together with Christ, but several newer translations (TNIV, NIV, NLT) refer to it as being the led away as the captives in Christ's victory march: "He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession." (NLT). It seems like the latter is the typical usage of the verb and most definitions of the verb that imply being led together in victory on cite this verse as a reference. So are there any other usages where θριαμβεύω can mean leading in victory together or is the verb always to mean be led (as one defeated) in a victory march?
Stephen Carlson
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Re: meaning of θριαμβεύω in 2 Cor 2:14

Post by Stephen Carlson »

Questions about a passage should quote the relevant text. Here it is:
2 Cor 2:14 wrote:Τῷ δὲ θεῷ χάρις τῷ πάντοτε θριαμβεύοντι ἡμᾶς ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ καὶ τὴν ὀσμὴν τῆς γνώσεως αὐτοῦ φανεροῦντι δι’ ἡμῶν ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ·
Stephen C. Carlson, Ph.D.
Melbourne, Australia
Stephen Carlson
Posts: 3351
Joined: May 11th, 2011, 10:51 am
Location: Melbourne
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Re: meaning of θριαμβεύω in 2 Cor 2:14

Post by Stephen Carlson »

BDAG has a detailed article on this verb, in the NT only here and in Col 2:15. Basically, there are six different possible interpretations and they all have problems of one sort or another. BDAG seems to favor to "lead in a triumphal procession" as a captive, but the scholarship is very divided over what it means, generally and in these contexts.
Stephen C. Carlson, Ph.D.
Melbourne, Australia
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