| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the relative prepositional phrase di’ hou {διʼ οὗ | diá hoû} ‘through which’, linking it back to the previously mentioned gospel as the means of salvation. The coordinating conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} ‘also’ adds continuity. The main verb sozesthe {σῴζεσθε | sṓ-zes-the} in the present passive indicative conveys an ongoing saving action upon the readers. The interrogative dative tí-ni lóg-ō {τίνι λόγῳ | tí-ni lóg-ō} functions instrumentally ‘by what word’, immediately followed by the aorist middle eu-en-ge-li-sá-mēn {εὐηγγελισάμην | eu-en-ge-li-sá-mēn} ‘I proclaimed good news to you’, with its dative complement hy-mîn {ὑμῖν | hy-mîn} ‘to you’. A conditional clause ei ka-té-che-te {εἰ κατέχετε | ei ka-té-che-te} ‘if you hold fast’ introduces the requirement of persevering adherence. Finally, the exceptive conditional ek-tós ei mḕ ei-kêi e-pis-teú-sa-te {ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ εἰκῇ ἐπιστεύσατε | ek-tós ei mḕ ei-kêi e-pis-teú-sa-te} ‘unless indeed you believed in vain’ frames the potential futility of belief without endurance. The structure presents a clear means–effect–condition–result sequence, emphasizing ongoing salvation contingent on faithful persistence. |