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"When a writer would describe a person as the author or owner of a thing, the proper
and obvious course is to write the name in the genitive case; if he desires to present him
as the object of reference, a variety of forms suggest themselves (which are freely
employed by New Testament writers, such as eis, epi pros, and sometimes en, with their
respective cases), by which his purpose can be effected without exposing himself to the
charge of ambiguity, or the risk of misapprehension. Should he, however, passing over
all these forms, select the genitive which is the natural expression of source or
proprietorship, it is to be presumed that it was his intentions so to do, and the genitive is
to be understood subjectively."
Mark 11: 22 we believe can be best explained by the figure of speech known as
Antimeria, a figure involving exchange, and in this phase called "the Sacred Superlative".
"Great wrestlings" are literally "Wrestlings of God" (Gen. 30: 8).
"Cedars of God" (Psa. 80: 10).
"A city great to God" (Jonah 3: 3).
Moses was "fair to God" (Acts 7: 20).
Mark 11: 22, and the parallels in Matthew and Luke, demand the meaning "great
faith", and this verse need not interfere with the usage of the other expressions which we
have noted above.
Readers of The Berean Expositor may often find statements that are not matured and
reasoned out, scattered through the articles. We make an observation of a fact;
sometimes we are able to pursue it at once, sometimes it lies dormant, and sometimes it
stimulates others. In the passage cited from Volume VII, page 58, we made a statement
as to fact and desired that the peculiar expression "The faith of Jesus Christ" should be
allowed to stand, even though we may not have been clear as to its full meaning. Since
then others have corresponded and the results are given in this brief investigation. The
subject is by no means exhausted. Some reader may be inclined to tabulate all the
various ways in which faith is used, and so bring out fuller light upon a vital theme. To
the correspondent (W.H.G.T.) we offer our thanks for suggesting the fuller investigation.
pp. 95, 96
No. 28. E.B. writes:--"We have had what is called a Mission of Revival.
One of the addresses to Christians was on the subject of being filled
with the Holy Ghost. It was stated that all believers were not Spirit
filled because they had not faith. Acts 13: 9 and Eph. 5: 18 were
quoted among several other passages. Are the two things the same,
"Being filled with the Holy Ghost" and "Being filled with the Spirit",
and are they for this present time?"