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The article is continually used before abstract nouns, such as "repentance,"
"righteousness." The idea is that the abstract word is present before the mind's eye. The
article also shows when words are used in apposition. "The church which is the body of
Him" (Eph. 1: 22, 23). The church and the body are here mutually inclusive.
In the construction of phrases the article is continually employed. There is no word
"son," or "things," in the phrases, "The (son) of Zebedee, " or "The (things) of Caesar,"
"son" and "things" being represented simply by "the" (masculine singular), and "the"
(neuter plural).
Help by the Way.
The Greek Prepositions.
pp. 89-90
"The prepositions, in their variety and delicacy, are a most important element of the
Greek language" (Rev. A. 100: Kendrick, D.D.).
"The usage of the prepositions is a matter of no less importance in the
interpretation of the New Testament than in the general study of the Greek language"
(Rev. T. S. Green, M.A.).
What is a preposition? A preposition is a word "placed before" a noun, or its
equivalent, forming a qualifying or adverbial phrase. What is the underlying idea of the
prepositions? Whatever figurative or secondary idea may be conveyed by the usage of
the prepositions, the simple, primary, basic idea may be said to be that of (a) rest, or
(b) motion. Motion covers the idea of "direction," for direction implies a motion towards
or a motion from a given point.
The prepositions arranged under their heading of rest and motion.
1.
Rest.--In, en; by the side of, para; on, epi; above, huper; under, below, hupo;
between, among, with, meta; before, pro; behind, after, meta; on the top of, upon, ana;
around, about, peri; over, against, opposite, anti.
2.
3.
Motion (direction or motion towards a point).--Into, to, eis; towards, down, kata;
towards, pros; upon, epi; near by, alongside, para; under, hupo.
4.
5.
Motion (direction or motion from a point).--Out of, ek;
from, apo;
from under, hupo; down from, kata; from beside, para; through, dia.
It will be observed that some prepositions which occur in No.1 occur again in No.2,
or No.3, and the natural question arises, how can one word mean both rest and motion?
If the preposition is followed by the Dative case it usually denotes the primary idea of
rest, if followed by the Accusative case it usually means motion towards, and if by the