[b-greek] Re: Mat 18:17 EKKLHSIA with def. article

From: Carl W. Conrad (cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu)
Date: Thu Jan 11 2001 - 19:54:49 EST


At 11:37 PM +0100 1/11/01, Roe wrote:
>Dear B-Greekers,
>
>"EKKLHSIA," it seems, can refer to a smaller or larger assembly or even
>that body of all called-together ones (living and passed away).
>
>In Matthew 18:17 we read:
>
>EAN DE PARAKOUSHi AUTWN, EIPE THi EKKLHSIA
>
>I wonder, does EKKLHSIA here refer to a group within the local
>congregation called to assemble? Or, as I think the use of the article
>implies, does it most likely here refer to the whole local assembly?

We've talked about this question before and probably haven't come to any
real consensus on it; my own view is that there are very few NT texts
wherein EKKLHSIA really seems to refer to a universal body of believers; I
wouldn't want to try to list them but only to note that Mt 16:18 is one of
the best candidates for that sense. In Mat 18:17 my own sense is that,
although the chapter may be intended to offer instruction on how to
regulate the life of ANY particular congregation of believers, yet the
particular focus is on the congregation itself; so I would understand EIPE
THi EKKLHSIAi as "tell it to your congregation"--the congregation is to act
as a collective body exercising judgment over the obstreperous member of
its own body. I can't see here--in this chapter of Matthew, at any
rate--any suggestion of a broader structure of ecclesiastical authority
beyond the congregation.

--

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics/Washington University
One Brookings Drive/St. Louis, MO, USA 63130/(314) 935-4018
Home: 7222 Colgate Ave./St. Louis, MO 63130/(314) 726-5649
cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu
WWW: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~cwconrad/

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