| 47. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the adverb houtōs {οὕτως | hoútōs} “thus, in this way,” which introduces an explanation for the previous missionary action. The postpositive gar {γὰρ | gár} “for” signals that what follows is the grounding reason. The perfect middle or passive verb entetaltai {ἐντέταλται | entétaltai} “has commanded” portrays the Lord’s directive as a standing, completed mandate whose effects continue. The dative hēmin {ἡμῖν | hēmîn} “to us” identifies Paul and Barnabas (and by extension the church) as recipients of this divine commission. The subject ho kyrios {ὁ κύριος | ho ký-ri-os} “the Lord” introduces the authority behind the citation. Within the quotation, the perfect active Tetheika {Τέθεικά | Tétheika} “I have set” emphasizes a decisive appointment already established. The prepositional phrase eis phōs ethnōn {εἰς φῶς ἐθνῶν | eis phôs ethnôn} “as a light of nations” describes the role assigned, with the genitive ethnōn marking the Gentile nations as the sphere of this illuminating ministry. The articular infinitive construction tou einai se eis sōtērian {τοῦ εἶναί σε εἰς σωτηρίαν | toû eînai se eis sōtērían} expresses purpose: “in order for you to be for salvation,” portraying the addressee as the means by which salvation reaches others. The closing prepositional phrase heōs eschatou tēs gēs {ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς | héōs eschátou tēs gēs} expands the scope to the utmost limits of the earth, underscoring the universal range of the mission. In English, the main clause and the direct quotation are retained, and the articular infinitive is rendered as a clear purpose clause (“so that you may be…” / “so that you can bring…”), while the spatial expression “to the end of the earth” is preserved formally and expressed idiomatically in the dynamic rendering. |