Christ Is Risen!
🌞
Since in the work published at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02082025.html
and even earlier in others, published at the 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/12112025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions has important significance for the correct understanding of important and topical questions, particularly the question of power, I am writing comments regarding the use of precisely these prepositions. As advice regarding reading what is written — one can read the verse in translation or/and original (whoever has such possibility), and then the corresponding comment regarding prepositions here. Then it is necessary to understand which part of the verse the comment concerns, and also to consider what essential for understanding it affirms — or more rarely — denies. Such thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects from the mentioned mistakes.
I prepared an improved version of my research, the presentation of which is available at the link:
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/commentaries/vystup-2025-hypo-genitive-Romans-XIII_1.pdf
The research material is currently being prepared for publication. I hope, God willing, to present fuller results later after the publication comes out.
I will update the list of references regarding prepositions at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02082025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/commentaries/Pryjmennyky.html
the latter — once or twice a month (in Ukrainian), to keep the text version current and up to date.
Translated from Ukrainian by Google Gemini Pro, with subsequent editing by me.
Strong's references (note: according to Strong) in the translation of the original text mean that the word is taken from Strong's dictionary, and the specific meaning was chosen following the translation and commentary by Google Gemini.
**Matins:**
For more about the Gospel reading, see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03072025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/DialogueOnWordsChristFear.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/08022024.html
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/29062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/18072024.html
**Liturgy:**
Acts XII, 25 — 'ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ' — 'ex Hierousalem' - from Jerusalem
. From where. The preposition 'ek' indicates here where they returned from.
Acts XIII, 1 — 'ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ' — 'en Antiokheia' - in Antioch
. Where.
Acts XIII, 2 — 'εἰς τὸ ἔργον' — 'eis to ergon' - for the work
. The preposition 'eis' indicates the purpose here, what Barnabas and Saul need to be set apart for.
Acts XIII, 4 — 'ἐκπεμφθέντες ὑπὸ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος' — 'ekpemphthentes hypo tou hagiou pneumatos' - being sent out by the Holy Spirit
. The preposition 'hypo' is used here with the genitive case and indicates the passive voice of the participle (translated as an adverbial participle) being sent out
. 'εἰς Σελευκίαν' - 'eis Seleukian' - to Seleucia
. Where to. 'εἰς Κύπρον' - 'eis Kypron' - to Cyprus
. Where to (direction of movement).
Acts XIII, 5 — 'ἐν Σαλαμῖνι' — 'en Salamini' - in Salamis
. Where. 'ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς τῶν Ἰουδαίων' - 'en tais synagogais ton Ioudaion' - in the synagogues of the Jews
. Where.
Acts XIII, 8 — 'ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως' — 'apo tes pisteos' - from the faith
. The preposition 'apo' indicates here that the sorcerer was trying to completely turn the proconsul away from the faith, to make him an enemy of the faith.
Acts XIII, 9 — 'εἰς αὐτὸν' — 'eis auton' - at him; upon him
. Where to (direction of gaze). Saul (Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at Elymas and pronounced the Lord's judgement upon him — and so it happened, just as it once was with the prophets. A story that primarily teaches us not to oppose the truth. Here we can think that it refers to Paul's full attention towards this sorcerer, a person who tried to oppose the truth. Such full attention in the Holy Spirit reminds us of the faith of God, which Christ speaks about. See the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/PowerOfHuman.html
The story of the beginning of the joint ministry of Saul (Paul), Barnabas, and John, also called Mark (the future evangelist). Also, the story of the miraculous blinding of the sorcerer who opposed the preaching of Christ (two sorcerers are mentioned by name; it is unclear whether it is the same man with two names or two different men).
For more about the reading, see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/20052025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04062024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/16052023.html
John VIII, 51, 52 — 'εις τον αιωνα' — 'eis ton aiona' — forever; for eternity
. A fixed expression.
John VIII, 59 — 'ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ' — 'ek tou hierou' - out of the temple
. From where. The preposition 'ek' here indicates that Christ went out of the temple.
John VIII, 55 — ‘οιδα’ — ‘oida’ — literally originally I have seen
(Him, the Father), but also I know
. The initial meaning of the word in context, whilst retaining the word itself, directly recalls Moses the God-Seer, through whom the Lord was pleased to grant the Law in the Old Testament. But Christ is greater than Moses, because he saw only a part of God's glory, whilst Jesus reveals God Himself, is God, the Son of God.
The way Abraham saw differs from how Jesus saw
the Father (the same word is used, but regarding Jesus it is in the perfect tense, whilst regarding Abraham it is the aorist). Jesus is perfect, whilst Abraham was striving towards perfection and towards Him.
The Jews did not understand Jesus again. Their prejudice against Him is also noticeable. Instead of seeking a different understanding when they see how absurd Jesus's words were in their eyes, whilst Jesus is performing great deeds, the Jews remain in their prejudiced views. For more about this and how we can fulfil God's will and not sin, see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/11052026.html
https://gemini.google.com/share/87eba42c1252
The Lord avoids the wrath of the Jews, because His hour had not yet come
.
In the reading, the words of John VIII, 54 are difficult: Jesus answered, If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing: it is My Father that honoureth Me; of Whom ye say, that He is your God
. Why does Christ say that if He glorifies Himself, His glory is nothing? After all, even in the prophets we often find: Glorify Thy name, O Lord! Manifest Thy power!
and so on. One might think that Christ says this from practical considerations of ethics, since even a truly foolish and wicked person can praise themselves. But the power of the assertion of Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, is much greater than a mere adaptation to the perception of the listeners, of unbelieving people. Therefore, there is a deeper reason why He says this. The Father here acts as a Mediator between the Son and people. It is also important to note that Christ does not speak directly about the Holy Spirit here (although Scripture clearly and abundantly testifies that He also glorifies the Son). I tried to find a simple explanation, but this is exactly the case where there is a multitude of them. In fact, the Father glorifies the Son in everything and by all means. Therefore, it is not even possible to single out something as fundamental or a priority. Whichever way you look at this statement, it always appears, turns out to be true. In this sense lies the exact uniqueness of the Son of God, perfect God and perfect human being. In the context of this passage, it is impossible to say this about anyone else but Jesus Christ. Therefore, one can say: the Son is in everything the glory of the Father; the Father glorifies the Son with everything, and the like.
For more about the Gospel reading, see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/11052026.html
https://gemini.google.com/share/87eba42c1252
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/20052025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/16052023.html
Of the Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv, in the lesser schema Joseph, Wonderworker of Ilovetsk:
For more about the Apostle reading, see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/29122024.html
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
For more about the Gospel reading, see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03072025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/DialogueOnWordsChristFear.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/08022024.html
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/29062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/18072024.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!