2.11 Tou patros Gen Singular
τοῦ πατρὸς
Genitive-Basic Idea:
Genitive indicates description or possession.
Nature of Cases:
For an explanation and comparison of cases, see Case, the Nature of, and especially Table 3. Case Form, Function and Root Idea.
Nature of Genitive:
The primary nature of the Genitive case is definition, defining the character or nature of another noun (in this case the noun “name”)
The presence of the article is of paramount importance
Whenever the article occurs, the object is certainly definite.[1]
The basal nature of the article.
The genius of the article is clearly revealed in its use with infinitives, adverbs, phrases, clauses, or even whole sentences. There is no English usage or equivalent even remotely similar to this. We never use the article with anything other than a substantive, and then only to mark definiteness. When we encounter this wide usage of the article in Greek, we are ‘so to speak “swamped in Greek.”’[2] The use of the article marks out the object of the article “as a single identity.”[3]
The basal function of the article is to point out individual identity. It does more than mark out an object as one definitely conceived, for a substantive in Greek is definite without the article. The article, which is always more or less demonstrative in force, fixes a floating adjective or substantive. Since the Greek noun has an intrinsic definiteness about it, the article does more than merely ascribe definiteness. The article is place there by the writer for a reason. The exegete needs to ascertain that reason.
The article marks contrast and not mere definiteness.
Note: The text here is on the verge of succinctly defining something about the nature of the Trinity, and it is using the article to mark out that contrast between the different persons of the Trinity.
When IDENTITY is prominent, we find the article; and when quality or character is stressed, the construction is anarthrous (without the article).[4] The articular construction emphasizes identity; the anarthrous construction emphasizes character.[5] The use of the article has everywhere its positive reason.[6]
The use of the articular and anarthrous constructions of θεός is highly instructive. A study convinces one that without the article θεός signifies divine essence, while with the article divine personality is chiefly in view.[7]
Note: θεός occurs WITHOUT the article:
o Where the Deity is contrasted with what is human, or with the universe as distinct from its Creator, or with the nature and acts of evil spirits,
o When the essential attributes of Deity are spoken of,
o When operations proceeding from
God are appropriated to one of the three Divine Persons,
o When the Deity is spoken of as heathens would speak, or a Jew who denied the existence of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Θεός occurs WITH the article when:
o When the Deity is spoken of in the Christian point of view,
o When the First Person of the blessed Trinity is specially designated, unless its insertion is unnecessary by the addition of πατήρ, or some distinctive epithet.[8]
Example of θεός with and without the article:
The use of θεός in
Ø To Denote Individuals. The real genius of the article is to point out a particular object.
Ø To Denote Previous Reference. To point out an object whose identity has been defined previously.
Ø With Abstract Nouns. Abstract nouns are general and indefinite in character. The article applies a sense of some special and distinct quality to the abstract noun.
Ø With Proper Names. Without the article, the emphasis is on the name as a designation rather than the identity of the individual indicated by the name. With the article, it refers to a particular person.
Ø Generic Use. With a noun represents a class or a group.
Ø With Pronouns.
Ø With Other Parts of Speech.
Special Uses of the Article.
Ø With Nouns Connected by kai—Granville Sharp Rule. Here the timeless Granville Sharp rule still proves to be true: “When the copulative καί connects two nouns of the same case, if the article ό or any of its cases precedes the first of the said nouns or participles, and is not repeated before the second noun or participle, the latter always relates to the same person that is expressed or described by the first noun or participle; i.e., it denotes a further description of the first-named person.
Note: A corollary of this rule would be, “if the article is repeated before another noun in the same case which is being connected by καί, it is not referring to the same person, but the article clearly identifies another person. See especially, The Article with God.
Ø As a Pronoun. In this use, it is not strictly speaking an article, but is restored to its original pronominal use.
Ø Demonstrative Pronoun. The article may have the full force of a demonstrative pronoun.
Ø With μέν and δὲ. Used with μέν and δὲ as an alternative pronoun.
Ø Possessive Pronoun. Frequently used practically as a possessive pronoun.
Ø The Repetition of the Article With Some Word or Phrase. Is used for emphasis, where the article functions with more than its ordinary force, and appears as a mild relative pronoun.
Note:
With the Subject in a Copulative Sentence. The article sometimes distinguishes the subject from the predicate in a copulative sentence. In
Meaning:
The genitive indicates description or possession. This is not just any name, its God’s name. As such, it is defining the character or nature of “the name”. The article marks out the object πατήρ as a single identity (i.e., it points out the individual identity of the Father in contrast with the other persons of the Trinity that will follow). The use of the article marks a sharp contrast between the three persons of the Trinity, not just definiteness. It provides a defining identity vs. quality or character. It identifies Divine Personality.
Translation:
Jesus speaking: Given that all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, therefore (now, by all means - emphatically) as you are going < ● > (or ‘while on your way through life…’ or ‘as you are proceeding in your chosen manner through life …’), I (as superior to a subordinate laying aside my authority to command you) appeal to you (and particularly to your will), it’s imperative that you actively disciple < ● > (train, acquire habits, disciple oneself) (How far or how many?) all the nations, (yes, I mean ALL the nations … and you can include the Jews in there as well) (and here’s the first step ) you-pl males among you-pl actively baptizing continuously < ---- > focusing on the males among them (i.e., the gender neutral nations) (starting with them outside the Name and) with direction towards the Name (and it’s not just any name they are being moved into…it’s THE Specific Particular Name) and ending up with them “inside” that particular specific single Name…(and it’s not just any name they are being moved into…it’s) THE Specific Particular Name that the Father as a person possesses (and this person in contrast with who follows) …
[1] Dana & Mantey p. 137.
[2] Dana & Mantey p. 137-138.
[3] Dana & Mantey p. 138.
[4] Dana & Mantey p. 138.
[5] Dana & Mantey p. 140. If you turn to Rom 8:1ff and apply this principle, you will find how illuminating it becomes in actual interpretation.
[6] Dana & Mantey p. 140, quoting (Buttmann: Grammar of New Testament Greek. 88).
[7] Dana & Mantey p. 139-140.
[8] Webster (1864). P. 29. Quoted in Dana & Mantey p. 140.
[9] Dana & Mantey p. 140.
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