| 9. Linguistic Exegesis The conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} ‘and’ links this assertion to Peter’s broader argument. The neuter pronoun outhen {οὐθὲν | ou-thèn} ‘nothing’ with the verb diekrinen {διέκρινεν | di-é-kri-nen} ‘made a distinction’ conveys a complete absence of differentiation. The preposition metaxy {μεταξὺ | me-ta-xý} ‘between’ governs the genitives hēmōn {ἡμῶν | hē-môn} ‘us’ and autōn {αὐτῶν | au-tôn} ‘them’, closely joined by the enclitic te {τε | te} ‘also’ and the conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} ‘and’, emphasizing equal standing. The circumstantial participle katharisas {καθαρίσας | ka-tha-rí-sas} ‘having cleansed’ with its object tas kardias autōn {τὰς καρδίας αὐτῶν | tas kar-dí-as au-tôn} ‘their hearts’ follows the instrumental dative tē pistei {τῇ πίστει | tē pí-stei} ‘by faith’, underlining faith as the means of purification. Greek word order fronting the dative before the participle highlights faith’s role. English supplies the subject ‘He’ and renders the participial action with active verbs for clarity and sequence. |