Commentary for (Romans XI, 2-12; Matthew XI, 20-26; Hebrews IX, 1-7; Luke X, 38-42; XI, 27-28 )

Oleksandr Zhabenko 🇬🇧
Glory Be to Jesus Christ!
🌞

Since in the works published at the following links:
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions is important for the correct understanding of important and actual issues, in particular the issue of power, I am writing commentaries on the use of these prepositions. As a piece of advice on how to read the text, you can read the verse in translation and/or in the original (if you have the opportunity), and then the commentary on prepositions here. Next, you need to understand which part of the verse the commentary refers to, and consider what it affirms — or less often, denies — that is essential to understanding. This thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects against the mistakes mentioned above.

Liturgy:
(Romans XI, 2-12)
Romans XI, 2 — 'ἐν Ἠλείᾳ' - 'en Heleia' - in Elijah. That is, here — in the story about the prophet Elijah.

Romans XI, 5 — 'ἐν τῷ νῦν καιρῷ' - 'en to nyn kairo' - at the present time; now. A common expression.

Romans XI, 6 — 'ἐξ ἔργων' - 'ex ergon' - from (of) deeds. The preposition 'ek' in its form before the following vowel indicates here that God grants grace to those who can accept it.

Romans XI, 9 — 'εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς θήραν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδομα αὐτοῖς' - 'eis pagida kai eis theran kai eis skandalon kai eis antapodoma autois' - into a net, and into a trap, and into a temptation, and into a retribution. The preposition 'eis' indicates here what material satisfaction will become for people who have distanced themselves from grace.

Here again Paul, following the Old Testament people, does not distinguish between God's permission and will, since he quotes the Old Testament, where this is evident. God permitted them to be in unbelief, and did not give this according to His desire. Therefore here is not a wish, but a permission, for it to be so, because this is a consistent consequence of their rejection of grace.

Romans XI, 11 — 'εἰς τὸ παραζηλῶσαι αὐτούς' - 'eis to parazelosai autous' - in order to provoke jealousy in them. See analogously above.

(Matthew XI, 20-26)
Matthew XI, 20 — 'ἐν αἷς' - 'en hais' - in which. Where.

Matthew XI, 21 — 'ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι' - 'en Tyro kai Sidoni' - in Tyre and Sidon. Where. 'ἐν ὑμῖν' - 'en hymin' - in you. Where. 'ἐν σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ' - 'en sakko kai spodo' - in sackcloth and ashes. That is, with great humility. How.

Matthew XI, 22, 24 — 'ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως' - 'en hemera kriseos' - on the day of judgement. When.

Matthew XI, 23 — 'ἐν Σοδόμοις' - 'en Sodomois' - in Sodom. Where. 'ἐν σοί' - 'en soi' - in you. Where.

Matthew XI, 25 — 'Ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ' - 'en ekeino to kairo' - at that time; then. A common expression. 'ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν' - 'apo sophon kai syneton' - from the wise and prudent. The wise here are called those who sought understanding and knowledge as self-valuable, and the prudent — those who sought them for certain applications, with a practical purpose. The preposition 'apo' indicates here that the Father hid true wisdom and knowledge from proud people (predominantly by their own mind). It was precisely pride that prevented the mentioned Israeli cities from converting completely.

About the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as about the general logic of why it will be easier for them, see at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/20062023.html

If those who rejected the apostles of Jesus Christ cannot, without repentance, stop on the path of spiritual decline, then this applies all the more to those who rejected Christ Himself, when He performed greater miracles and is a flawless Person.

Therefore, one cannot be indifferent to repentance or consider that it is something of little or no importance — no, it is one of the main things in the matter of human salvation.

More about the reading from the Gospel see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17072024.html

To the Theotokos:
(Hebrews IX, 1-7; Luke X, 38-42; XI, 27-28 )
More about the reading from the Apostle see at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01042023.html

More about the reading from the Gospel see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/15082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28082023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21042023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01042023.html

Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!