| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The verse employs a chain of infinitives to frame Paul’s mission. The initial infinitive anoixai {ἀνοῖξαι | a-noî-xai} ‘to open’ governs the direct object ophthalmous auton {ὀφθαλμούς αὐτῶν | oph-thal-moús au-tôn} ‘their eyes’, emphasizing restored spiritual vision. It is followed by the genitive articular infinitive epistrepsai {ἐπιστρέψαι | e-pi-strép-sai}, which expresses purpose and is rendered “so that they may turn.” Parallel prepositional phrases—apo skotous eis phos {ἀπὸ σκότους εἰς φῶς | a-pó skó-tous eis phôs} ‘from darkness into light’ and, by ellipsis of apo, tēs exousias tou Satana epi ton theon {τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ Σατανᾶ ἐπὶ τὸν θεόν | tês e-xou-sí-as toû Sa-ta-nâ e-pí tón the-ón} ‘from the authority of Satan to God’—underscore a decisive realm shift. A second articular infinitive labein {λαβεῖν | la-beîn} introduces the gifts, with aphesis hamartion kai kleron {ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ κλῆρον | á-phe-sin ha-mar-tiôn kaí klê-ron} ‘forgiveness of sins and inheritance’ indicating what is received. The final prepositional phrase en tois hegiasmenois pistei eis eme {ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ | en toîs hē-gi-as-mé-nois pís-tei te eis e-mé} ‘among those sanctified by faith in Me’ links participation in holiness directly to faith in Christ. The English renderings preserve the sequence of purpose clauses, the parallel transfers, and the cumulative structure of the benefits granted. |