| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The sentence begins with the negated main clause ou gar tolmeso ti lalein {οὐ γὰρ τολμήσω τι λαλεῖν | ou gár tolmḗsō ti laleîn}, where ou negates the future indicative tolmeso to express Paul’s firm resolve not to boast beyond proper limits. The postpositive gar links this statement logically to the preceding context as an explanation. The infinitival phrase ti lalein functions as the object of tolmeso, “to speak anything.” This object is then restricted by the genitive relative clause hon ou kateirgasato Christos di emou {ὧν οὐ κατειργάσατο Χριστὸς διʼ ἐμοῦ | hōn ou kateirgásato Christós diʼ emoû}, literally “of which Christ did not accomplish through me,” which idiomatically yields an exceptive sense: Paul will only speak of what Christ has in fact accomplished through him. The prepositional phrase eis hupakoen ethnon {εἰς ὑπακοὴν ἐθνῶν | eis hupakoḗn ethnôn} expresses purpose or result, “for the obedience of the Gentiles,” with the genitive ethnon specifying whose obedience is in view. Finally, the coordinated datives logo kai ergo {λόγῳ καὶ ἔργῳ | lógō kaí érgō} function as datives of means or manner, indicating that Christ’s work through Paul operates “by word and deed,” balancing proclamation and practice. English syntax is adjusted to place “except” before the relative clause and to make explicit the purposive nuance of eis, while preserving the emphasis on Christ as the true agent working through Paul. |