“The Heavenlies” in Ephesians - Edinburgh Research Archive

291 Pages·2010·2.73 MB·English

“The Heavenlies” in Ephesians
A Lexical, Exegetical, and Conceptual Analysis

M. Jeff Brannon

Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins
The University of Edinburgh
2010
I hereby declare, in fulfilment of Regulation 2.5 of the University of Edinburgh
Postgraduate Student Handbook concerning the submission of a thesis, that:

I have composed the following thesis, that it is my own work, and that it has not been
submitted for any other degree or professional qualification.

M. Jeff Brannon
Abstract

In Ephesians, readers of the New Testament encounter one of the most
intriguing phrases throughout the whole of Scripture. The expression “in the
heavenlies” appears five times in the letter and is not found in any other place in the
New Testament. While there is nothing inherently intriguing about the words evn toi/j
evpourani,oij, the phrase proves to be of interest to Biblical scholars because of the
various contexts in which it is utilized. The two appearances which have caused the
most consternation among New Testament scholars are the session of earthly
believers evn toi/j evpourani,oij in 2:6 and the presence of the spiritual forces of evil evn
toi/j evpourani,oij in 6:12. The seeming implausibility of these two statements has led
commentators to interpret this peculiar expression in a variety of ways. The purpose
of this thesis, therefore, is to perform a lexical, exegetical, and conceptual analysis of
the expression evn toi/j evpourani,oij in Ephesians. Within this broader purpose, this
thesis: 1) argues against the prevailing interpretation of “the heavenlies” propagated
by Hugo Odeberg and subsequently adopted by Michael E. McGough in his
unpublished ThD dissertation “An Investigation of vEpoura,nioj in Ephesians” 2)
builds upon and augments A. T. Lincoln’s research from his article “A Re-
Examination of ‘the Heavenlies’ in Ephesians” and from his monograph Paradise
Now and Not Yet 3) provides in-depth examinations of three significant concepts
associated with this expression, namely the redeemed on earth having a heavenly
status, evil powers in heaven, and the cosmology of Ephesians.
The evidence considered includes an examination of the term evpoura,nioj
from Greek sources, Jewish sources, the Apostolic Fathers, and the Septuagint. In
addition, the New Testament uses of evpoura,nioj outside of Ephesians are analyzed
through a brief exegesis of the passages in which the term appears. The exegetical
chapters within the letter of Ephesians itself will include comparisons with the Old
Testament, the New Testament, and Second Temple Jewish texts including the
Qumran manuscripts and apocalyptic literature. From my examination of the
evidence, I conclude 1) that there is no basis for a distinction between the terms
ouvrano,j and evpoura,nioj in Ephesians 2) that the prevailing interpretation of “the
heavenlies” is both flawed and untenable 3) that Qumran and apocalyptic texts can
shed light upon and assist in a proper understanding of the difficult passages in
which the expression evn toi/j evpourani,oij appears. The primary contribution to the
New Testament field is that this thesis represents the most comprehensive study of
“the heavenlies” in Ephesians. Throughout the course of the thesis, other areas of
contribution include studies of the term evpoura,nioj, a heavenly status for the
redeemed on earth, evil powers in heaven, the cosmology of Ephesians, and the role
of “the heavenlies” within the thought of Ephesians.
Acknowledgements

When undertaking a project of this magnitude and nature, there are of course
numerous people who contribute to its completion. I would like to express my
sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the many people who assisted in various
ways with the completion of my PhD studies and helped bring this thesis to its
fruition. Dr. Richard Seay, my high school Latin teacher, taught me how to study a
foreign language, gave me a love for learning languages, and taught me how to
develop an argument and write an essay. A number of professors at Reformed
Theological Seminary (Orlando, FL) contributed to the development of my theology
and helped shape my interest in the New Testament. My courses with Dr. Richard
Pratt were invaluable for shaping my theology, my understanding of Scripture, and
my theological interests. Additionally, my New Testament professors, Dr. Al
Mawhinney, Dr. Reggie Kidd, and Dr. Chuck Hill, gave me a love for the New
Testament and shaped my understanding of the New Testament. In particular, Dr.
Chuck Hill went out of his way to assist me as I considered academic pursuits and
applied to PhD programs.
In Edinburgh, I had numerous friends and colleagues who both enriched my
time in Edinburgh and encouraged me as I completed my studies. I would like to
thank several colleagues from New College – Dave Allen, David McCabe, Holly
Carey, Mike Leary, Judy Diehl, Jeromey Martini, Will Rutherford, Stephen Myers,
John Tweeddale, Jason Curtis, Sebastian Moll, Andy O’Neill, Rob Burns, Chris
Keith, Dieter Roth, Brandon Crowe, Derek Brown, and Mike Naylor – whose
friendships were a source of both fellowship and encouragement as I completed my
studies. My family’s time and experience at Buccleuch Free Church were a source
of friendship, fellowship, spiritual growth, and encouragement. I would like to thank
the congregation of Buccleuch Free Church for teaching us the meaning and nature
of Biblical fellowship and love. In particular, I would like to thank Neil, Mary,
Amy, and Neil Campbell for their love, friendship, hospitality, and encouragement
during our time in Edinburgh. Many others – Donald, Mairi, and Ed Forsyth, Roddy
and Christine Macleod, Bob and Heather Ackroyd, John and Angela Tweeddale,
Stephen and Lisa Myers, John and Anne Macrae, Richard and Sarah Lytle, Eric and
Moira Mackay, Rob and Emma Burns, and Willy Lytle – were also a rich source of
friendship and fellowship. I would also like to thank Bob Ackroyd for his pastoral
care, guidance, and encouragement to me during our time in Edinburgh.
As I completed my thesis, I received excellent guidance and support from the
supervisor of my PhD studies, Professor Larry Hurtado. I would like to thank
Professor Hurtado for his suggestion which helped me identify my topic and for his
ongoing supervision which helped me refine my topic – the heavenlies in Ephesians.
Professor Hurtado’s guidance and supervision throughout the course of my studies
were invaluable for the completion of my thesis. Finally, I would like to express my
sincere gratitude for Professor Hurtado’s incredible patience with me as I completed
my thesis, often in an untimely manner. In addition, I would also like to thank my
examiners, Professor Max Turner and Dr. Helen Bond, for their guidance for my
revisions and for their thoughtful suggestions on how to improve my thesis.
The completion of PhD studies almost always requires some form of financial
assistance and my case is no exception. I would like to thank St. Paul’s Presbyterian
Church for their support and oversight as I completed my PhD studies. I would also
like to thank Effie Neill, Carol Brewer, Kezlon Semanda, and Hal Hadden for their
financial contributions. I am appreciative of my parents-in-law Terry and Fran Neill
who made a number of contributions during my studies to assist with our living
expenses. My grandparents George and Catherine Coaker regularly supported us
throughout both my studies at Reformed Theological Seminary and the University of
Edinburgh. In particular, I would like to thank my parents, Mark and Jo Littlejohn,
for their financial support and encouragement during my studies. I could not have
completed this project without their overwhelming generosity and support.
Finally, I would like to thank my family for their incredible love, patience,
endurance, and encouragement throughout the completion of this project. My life
was blessed beyond measure and my studies were greatly enriched with the birth of
three children during my PhD studies. To my first son Colin, the little comedian in
our family, your enthusiasm for life and love for others are much needed and greatly
appreciated in our family. To my second son Drew, the little professor in our family,
your kindness, thoughtfulness, and love are much needed and greatly appreciated in
our family. To my third son Evan, the little adventurer in our family, your joy in life
and easy-going nature are much needed and greatly appreciated in our family. Colin,
Drew, and Evan, I love and cherish each of you and am so grateful to have you in my
life. Finally, I would like to express my love and appreciation for my wife Jennifer
without whom I could never have completed my studies. Jennifer worked to support
us for the majority of my time at Reformed Theological Seminary and for the first
year and a half of my PhD studies at the University of Edinburgh. Of greater
significance than any financial support, my wife Jennifer endured much more than
should be asked or expected of any wife as I completed my studies. Jen, your love
and encouragement during this adventure were essential for the completion of this
thesis. More than anything, even in the midst of my doubt and unbelief, you never
wavered from your belief and confidence that I could do this. Thank you and I love
you, Jeff.

With great appreciation and sincere gratitude,

M. Jeff Brannon
University of Edinburgh
April 2010
Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Introduction to “The Heavenlies” 1
Justification for the Study 2
Approach to the Study 3
Assumptions of the Study 4
Authorship 4
Excursus on Pseudonymous Authorship of Ephesians 7
The Destination of Ephesians 8
Relationship to Colossians 9
Contribution of the Study 10

Chapter 2: The History of Interpretation of “The Heavenlies” 12
Purpose 12
Origin of the Expression 12
Local Meaning 14
Major Schools of Thought 15
Mystery Religions, Gnosticism, and Platonism as Philosophical Frameworks 16
Hugo Odeberg 20
Excursus on the Influence of Hugo Odeberg 24
Andrew T. Lincoln 27
Chrys C. Caragounis 31
Michael Everett McGough 33
Horacio E. Lona 35
W. Hall Harris III 38
Conclusion 40
Chapter 3: Study of vEpoura,nioj in Greek Literature Outside the NT 42
Purpose 42
Summary of McGough’s Study; Justification for a Fresh Analysis of vEpoura,nioj 43
Methodology 44
Greek Sources 46
Homer, Odyssey 17.484 46
Homer, Iliad 6.129, 131 47
Homer, Iliad 6.527 48
Plato, Phaedrus 256d 49
Theocritus 25.5 49
Moschus, Europa 2.21 50
Sextus Empiricus, Against the Astrologers 5.44 51
Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 10 (4).3 52
Corpus Hermeticum 53
Second Century Papyri 54
Paris Papyri 574.3042 55
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 2.429 56
Septuagint 57
LXX Psalm 67:15 57
2 Maccabees 3:39 58
3 Maccabees 6:28 59
3 Maccabees 7:6 60
Pseudepigrapha 61
Sibylline Oracles 4.51 61
Sibylline Oracles 4.135 62
Philo 63
Legum Allegoria Book III.LVIII.168 63
De Gigantibus XIV.62 65
De Virtutibus 3.12 66
Testament of Job 67
Testament of Abraham IV 70
Apostolic Fathers 71
Ignatius, To the Ephesians 13.2 71
Ignatius, To the Trallians 5.1-2 73
Ignatius, To the Trallians 9.1 74
Ignatius, To the Smyrnaeans 6.1a 75
Polycarp, The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians 2.1 75
Martyrdom of Polycarp 14.3 77
Martyrdom of Polycarp 20.2 77
1 Clement 61.2 79
2 Clement 20.5 80
Conclusion 80
Table of Additional Jewish and Christian Texts 82

Chapter 4: New Testament Study of vEpoura,nioj 84
Introduction 84
John 3:12 85
1 Corinthians 15:40, 48, 49 88
Philippians 2:10 93
2 Timothy 4:18 98
Hebrews 3:1 99
Hebrews 6:4 102
Hebrews 8:5 103
Hebrews 9:23 105