How should we understand the following Ancient Greek phrases found in 2 Timothy 1? One possibility that is rarely found in English translations is presented below:
epaggelían zo:ê:s tê:s en /X/ristô:i Ie:soû (verse 1)
a proclamation of life that is by Christ Jesus
agápé:i tê:i en /X/ristô:i Ie:soû (verse 13)
love that is by Christ Jesus
In favour of this way of understanding these phrases are the following considerations:
(1) The eternal life that the gospel announces is always and forever by Christ Jesus, and not only in Christ Jesus (after the final judgement it is not life in Christ, as far as the New Testament says).
(2) Similarly, by the salvation that Christ Jesus provides, a human being can be filled with God's love (Romans 5). This love is not only in Christ Jesus, but is always and forever thanks to, that is to say by, Christ Jesus.
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