This Is Appendix 104 From The Companion Bible.
For the true understanding of the New Testament a knowledge of the Greek Prepositions is indispensable.
They might be exhibited in groups, or according to the Cases 1 of the Noun which they govern, or according to their geometrical relations to a line, a superfices, and a solid, or according to the relative frequency of their occurrences. 2 But we have given them below in their alphabetical order, so that they may be more readily found by the reader.
They are eighteen in number, and may thus be defined:-
i. ana governs only
one case (the Accusative), and denotes up, upon,
formed from ano (as kata is from kato,
with which ana stands in direct antithesis). In relation
to vertical lines it denotes the top. With numerals it is
used as a distributive (Matthew 20: ii. anti governs
only one case (the Genitive), and denotes over against, or
opposite. Hence it is used as instead of or in the place of
(e.g. Matthew 2: iii. amphi is used
only in composition in the New Testament and is rare in Classical Greek.
It denotes about, or around. Used of a
solid, it denotes both sides.
iv. apo governs only
one case (the Genitive), and denotes motion
Hence, it is used of motion away from a
place (e.g. Matthew 3:
from the surface of an object, as a line drawn from the circumference;
it thus stands in contrast with ek (Number
vii), which denotes a line drawn from the center; while para
denotes a line drawn as a tangent, thus-
Apo may consequently be used of
deliverance or passing away from any state or condition
(e.g. Matthew 1:21;
14:2.
Mark 5:34.
Acts 13:8;
14:15.
Hebrews 6:1). v. dia governs two
cases (the Genitive and Accusative).
1. With the Genitve it has the general sense of through,
as though dividing a surface into two by an intersecting line. It
includes the idea of proceeding from and passing out
(e.g. Mark 11:
It would thus differ hupo (Number
xviii), which would imply a cause immediate and active while apo
would imply a cause virtually passive, and more remote.
16.
1Corinthians
3:15.
1Timothy
2:15.
1Peter
3:20).
Compare diameter.
In a temporal sense; after an interval (Matthew 26:61.
Mark 2:1.
Galatians 2:1).
From the ideas of space and time dia
(with the Genitive) denotes any cause by means of which an
action passes to its accomplishment (e.g. Matthew 1:22.
John 1:3.
Acts 3:18.
1Corinthians
16:3.
2Corinthians
9:13);
hence, it denotes the passing through whatever is interposed between the
beginning and the end of such action.
2.
With the Accusative it has the sense of on
account of, or because of (e.g. Matthew 27:18.
Mark 2:27.
Revelation 4:11),
indicating both the exciting cause (Acts 12:20.
Romans 4:25.
1Corinthians
11:10),
the impulsive cause (e.g. John 12:9.
Romans 4:23;
15:15.
Hebrews 2:9),
or the prospective cause (Romans 6:19;
8:11;
14:15.
Hebrews 5:3).
vi. eis governs only
one case (the Accusative). Euclid uses eis when a line is
drawn to meet another line, at certain point. Hence, it denotes motion to
or unto an object, with the purpose of reaching or
touching it (e.g. Matthew 2:
From this comes the idea of the object toward which such motion is directed (e.g. Matthew 18:20,30. 1Corinthians 12:13. Galatians 3:27); and for, or with respect to which such action or movement is made.
In contrast with eis, pros (Number xv, below) may mark one object as the means of reaching an ulterior object which is denoted by eis (e.g. John 6:35. Romans 5:1. Ephesians 4:12). It is the opposite of ek (Number vii, below).
vii. ek governs only one case (the Genitive), and denotes motion from the interior. See under apo (Number iv, above, and diagram there). It is used of time, place, and origin. It means out from, as distinguished from apo (Number iv, above), which means off, or away from. Ek marks the more immediate origin, while apo marks the more remote origin; of expressing the intermediate meanings.
viii. en governs only one case (the Dative), and denotes being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance. It has regard to place and space (e.g. Matthew 10:16. Luke 5:16), or sphere of action (e.g. Matthew 14:2. Romans 1:5,8; 6:4).
It also used for the efficient cause as emanating from within, and hence has sometimes the force of by, denoting the instrument, with, passing on to union and fellowship; en denoting inclusion, and sun (Number xvi, below) denoting conjunction. En denotes also continuance in time (Matthew 2:1; 27:40. John 11:10).
2. with plural = among.
ix. epi governs three cases (the Genitive, Dative, and Accusative), and denotes superposition.
1. With the Genitive it denotes upon, as proceeding or springing from, and answers to the question "Where?" (e.g. Matthew 9:2; 10:27. Mark 8:4. Luke 22:30. John 6:21).
With the idea of locality it conveys the sense, in the presence of (e.g. Matthew 28:14. Mark 13:9. Acts 24:19. 1Corinthians 6:1).
With the idea of time, it looks backward and upward, e.g. "in the days of" (Matthew 1:11. Hebrews 1:2).
With the idea of place, it denotes dignity and power (e.g. Matthew 23:2. Acts 12:21. Romans 9:5. Revelation 2:26).
2. With the Dative it implies actual superposition, as one thing resting upon another, as upon a foundation or basis which may be actual (e.g. Mark 6:25,28,39), or moral (e.g. Matthew 18:13. Mark 3:5). Both senses occur in 1Thessalonians 3:7.
Hence it is used of the moving principle or motive suggesting the purpose or object (e.g. Ephesians 2:10), and sometimes including the result (e.g. 2Timothy 2:14).
3. With the Accusative it implies the downward pressure on that upon which a thing rests; active motion being suggested (e.g. 2Corinthians 3:15. 1Timothy 5:5).
Hence, it denotes any extended motion downward (Matthew 13:2; 18:12; 19:28; 27:45) from heaven to earth (Mark 4:20. Acts 11:15. 2Corinthians 12:9).
Compared with pros (Number xv, below), pros marks the motion, the direction to be taken, while epi (with Accusative) marks the point to be reached.
This downward presure may be that of the mind, or feeling (e.g. Matthew 25:21; 27:43. Hebrews 6:1. 1Peter 1:13).
For the difference between eis (Number vi, above) and epi (with the Accusative) see Romans 9:21, "one vessel unto (eis) honour", and verse 23, "riches of glory on (epi) the vessels of mercy".
x. kata governs two cases (the Genitive and Accusative), and denotes two motions, vertical and horizontal.
1. With the Genitve it denotes vertical motion, the opposite of ana (Number i, above), descent, or detraction from a higher place or plane (e.g. Matthew 8:32. Mark 5:13); and direction to, or against (e.g. Mark 9:40. John 18:29. Acts 25:27. 2Corinthians 13:8).
2. With the Accusative it denotes horizontal motion, along which the action proceeds (e.g. Luke 8:39; 10:33. Acts 5:15; 8:26. Philippians 3:14). Sometimes it includes the purpose or intention (e.g. 2Timothy 1:1; 4:3. Titus 1:1). In this connection eis (Number vi, above. 2Timothy 4:14) marks the more immediate purpose, pros (Number xv, 3. Ephesians 4:12. Philemon 5) the ultimate purpose; and kata (Number x, 2.) the destination to be reached. It has regard to the duration of the motion (e.g. Matthew 27:15. Hebrews 3:8) and the accordance, conformity or proportion of the two things which such motion thus connects (e.g. Matthew 16:27; 23:3; 25:15. Luke 2:22).
xi. meta governs two
cases (the Genitive and Accusative), and denotes association and
companionship with. It thus differs from sun (Number
xvi, below), which denotes proximity to, and hence conjunction
or coherence.
Compare Ephesians 6:23.
(meta) with Ephesian 4:31.
(sun); and 1Thessalonians
3:13.
(meta) with Colossians 3:3
(sun).
1. Hence meta, with the Genitive, denotes among, amid (e.g. Matthew 26:58. Mark 1:13. Revelation 21:3), or in company with (e.g. Matthew 9:15. John 11:31. 2Thessalonians 1:7. Revelation 14:13).
It refers specially to the mental dispostion with which an action is performed (e.g. Matthew 12:30. Mark 3:5. Luke 1:39; 9:49. John 8:28. 2Corinthians 7:15).2. With the Accusative it means after, always in connection with time (e.g. Matthew 17:1; 26:32. John 13:7. Hebrews 4:7; 7:28).
xii. para governs three cases (Genitive, Dative, and Accusative), and the uniform meaning is beside, or alongside of. See apo, Number iv, above, and compare diagram there.
1. With the Genitive it denotes from beside, implying the source from which anything proceeds (e.g. Matthew 2:4; 21:42. Luke 2:1; 6:19. Acts 26:10. Philippians 4:18).
As distinguished from hupo (Number xviii, below) it denotes the general sense of motion, while hupo marks the special sense or efficient cause of such motion.
As distinguished from apo (Number iv, above) it marks the motion from person (e.g. Matthew 2:16), while apo may imply motion from a place (e.g. Matthew 2:1).2. With the Dative it denotes rest beside and at a person, place, or thing, expressing rest and position there (e.g. John 19:25. Acts 9:43); laid up with, or in store with (e.g. Matthew 6:1. Luke 1:30), or proximity to (e.g. Matthew 22:25. Colossians 4:16).
Hence it implies in the power of (Matthew 19:26. Luke 1:37); in the judgement of (e.g. Romans 2:12. 2Peter 2:11).3. With the Accusative it denotes motion to a place, so as to be alongside it (e.g. Matthew 15:29 Mark 4:1).
Hence, beside and beyond, and so against (e.g. Acts 18:13. Romans 1:25,26; 4:18. 1Corinthians 3:11. Galatians 1:8); and beside, i.e. more or less than (e.g. Luke 3:13; 13:2. Romans 14:5. 2Corinthians 11:24). Compare pros, number xv, below.
xiii. peri governs two cases (Genitive and Accusative), and denotes around, or about, like a completed circle. Hence concerning. It marks the object about which the action of the verb takes place.
1. With the Genitve it means as concerning, or as regards, but always with the primary idea, and marking the central point of the activity (e.g. Matthew 4:6. Luke 24:19,27,44).
2. With the Accusative it denotes the extension of such activity, hence, around (e.g. Mark 9:42. Luke 13:8. Acts 28:7. Philippians 2:23).
xiv. pro governs
only one case (the Genitive), and denotes the position as being in
site, or, before one, in place (e.g.
Luke 7:27,
9:52,
James 5:9);
time (e.g. Matthew 5:12,
John 17:24,
Acts 21:38);
or superiority (e.g. James 5:12,
1Peter
4:8).
xv. pros governs
three cases (the Genitive, Dative, and Accusative), and denotes to,
or, toward, implying motion onward. Its
general meaning with the three cases is the motive-as in
consideration of (with the Genitive); in addition to
anything-as an act (with the Dative); with a view to
anything-as an end (with the Accusative).
1. With the Genitive the only occurence is Acts 27:
Compared with para (Number
xii, above), pros denotes only direction and tendency,
whereas para denotes both motion and change of place of
some object.
34.
2. With the Dative it occurs five times : Luke 19:37. John 18:16; and twice in John 20:12. Revelation 1:13.
3. With the Accusative, see e.g. Matthew 2:12;
3:10;
21:34;
26:57.
Mark 5:11;
11:1;
14:54.
Luke 7:7.
Acts 6:1.
1Thessalonians
3:6.
xvi. sun governs
only one case (the Dative). See under meta (Number
xi, above) (e.g. Luke 23: xvii. huper
governs two cases (the Genitive and Accusative), and denotes above,
and over, with respect to the upper plane of a solid.
Latin, super.
1. With the Genitve it is used in its relative rather
than its absolute sense. In the place of (e.g. John 11:
50;
18:14.
Romans 5:6.
1Timothy
2:6.
Philemon 13.
1Peter
3:18).
In the interests of (e.g. 2Thessalonians
2:1).
In behalf of (e.g. Matthew 5:44.
Acts 9:16).
For the purpose of (e.g. John 11:4.
Romans 15:8.
2Corinthians
12:19.
Philippians 2:13).
With the Genitive huper is connected
with peri, being the apex of the triangle, or the fixed
point of the compass, whereas peri (see
Number xiii.) is the circle described around it. Hence huper
has regard to feeling, and implies the pleading a case on behalf of
another, whereas peri implies the mere description of the
circumstances of the case. (e.g. 1Peter
3:18.
Jude 9).
2. With Accusative it denotes beyond, in
excess of measure, honour, number, or time (e.g. Matthew
10:24.
2Corinthians
1:1-8.
Ephesians 1:22.
Philippians 2:9.
Philemon 16).
xviii. hupo
governs two cases (the Genitive and Accusative), denotes the under
side of a solid, and is thus the opposite of huper
(see Number xvii, above ).
1. With the Genitive, hupo is used to
mark the efficient or instrumental agent, from under whose
hand or power the action of the verb proceeds (e.g. Matthew 1:
With the Genitive it describes motion from beneath;
with Dative (not used in the New Testament), position beneath; and with
the Accusative, motion or extension underneath.
22;
2:16.
Luke 14:8).
2. With the Accusative, it denotes the place whither
such action extends (e.g. Matthew 8:8.
Mark 4:32.
James 2:3).
Hence it implies moral or legal subjection (e.g.
Matthew 8:9.
Romans 6:14;
7:14;
16:20.
1Timothy
6:1).
1
The Cases governed by the Prepositions stand in the following proposition:
Genitive, 17; Accusative, 19; and Dative, 15; according to Helbing (Schanz's
Beitrage, Number 16 (1904), page 11.