Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 15:1 (Spring 2002)
Article: Periodical Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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JOTGES 15:1 (Spr 02) p. 103

Periodical Reviews

“We Plead on Christ’s Behalf: ‘Be Reconciled to God,’” Andreas J. Köstenberger, The Bible Translator (July 1997): 328-31.

Every major English translation of 2 Cor 5:20 includes the word you. For example, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf…” (NKJV, NIV); “We beg you on behalf of Christ” (NASB); “We entreat you on behalf of Christ” (NRSV).

In this short article the author makes a simple point: don’t supply the word you. He gives several reasons for this. First, the readers, the believers in Corinth, were already reconciled to God. Second, the verb deomai (I beg, beseech) is used 5 other times by Paul, 3 of which occur without an object (Rom 1:10; 2 Cor 10:2; 1 Thess 3:10).

Robert N. Wilkin
Editor
Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Irving, TX

“The Meaning of Porneia in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9, ” David Janzen, Journal for the Study of the New Testament (December 2000): 66-80.

Janzen argues that we can find a plausible explanation for the divorce exception clauses that Matthew uses by investigating common practices of divorce in Israel and its cultural neighbors. He suggests that Matthew’s use of the term porneia (Matt 5:32; 19:9) is best understood as a reference to the notion of divorce without just cause; an idea presented throughout the ancient Near East and first-century Judaism. Just cause includes actions on the part of the woman that constitute the man’s right to divorce without repayment of the dowry. Matthew excludes the possibility of divorce without just cause, and limits just cause to porneia, sexual intercourse during betrothal or marriage with one other than the wife’s husband. Jesus did indeed authorize divorce,

JOTGES 15:1 (Spr 02) p. 104

but only divorce with just cause. Just cause is strictly limited to adultery (moicheia) or intercourse during the betrothal period (porneia).

Much of the debate surrounding these passages centers on Matthew’s usage of the word porneia instead of the technical term for adultery: moicheia. The thrust of this article is to demonstrate that Matthew uses porneia instead of moicheia to demonstrate that it is not simply sex during marriage that con...

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