1 Cor 6,11 απελουσασθε, γηιασθητε, εδικαωθητε εν
τω ονομαι
του κυριου ‘Ιησου Χριστου (salvation based “in the
name”).
It is accepted that the phrase τν
τω ονοματι
του κυριου is linked with all three preceding verbs: απελουσασθε, γηιασθητε, εδικαωθητε. All three these acts
are thus stated to have taken place “in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and
in the spirit of their God”.
The phrase under discussion is placed here within an “earlier-now”
(indicative-imperative) contrasting situation regarding the nature of the
Corinthian Christians. Their purveying washing (baptism) of their sins, their
sanctification and justification have taken place. One should be cautious here
regarding two matters: (a) not to see a specific order of events in the three
verbs as they appear in this verse, and (b) not to rush into a conclusion that
the (trinitarian) baptismal formula is to be found here. What could be
distinguished here is their human act of undergoing a purifying washing (aorist
idle: “you washed yourselves”), and God’s acts of sanctification (aorist
passive) and justification (aorist passive). The baptismal motif is clear. The
washing which took place “in the name of the Lord” and the connection with the
spirit underlines it. Also the sanctification motif is clear. It was found at
the opening of the letter. Interesting is that both here (6,11) and there
(1,2), the connection with “the name of the Lord” is to be found.
Implicit again, is the aspect of revelation in “the name” itself. What
happens, happens “in union with” or “in connection with” Jesus Christ and the
spirit. (G J. Steyn, “Reflections on TO
ONOMA TOY KYIOY in 1 Corinthians,” in The Corinthian Correspondence,
ed. R. Bieringer [Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium 125;
Leuven: Leuven University Press, 1996], 487-88)
