Wednesday, September 8, 2021

On ἀνταλλαγή ("exchange") in Epistle to Diognetus 9:5

In a desperate attempt to support Sola Fide from early Christian sources, some Protestants appeal to Epistle to Diognetus 9:5. Holmes' translation reads as follows:

 

O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! that the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteous of One should justify many transgressors!

 

The term translated as “exchange” is ἀνταλλαγή. Note how BDAG defines the term:

 

νταλλαγ, ς, (Maximus Tyr. 39, 1c v.l.; PCol IV, 100, 12 [III BC]; Hesych.; Simplicius, in Aristot., Phys. 1350, 32: in a definition of ντιπερστασις [interchange], Simplicius explains it as ‘exchange [νταλλαγ] of places made when one body is thrust out by another’; Theophilus Antecessor [VI AD] 2, 6 p. 281 [ed. OReitz 1751]; other reff. DGE) exchange τς γλυκεας . what a sweet exchange (from being sinners to righteous people) Dg 9:5.—DELG s.v. λλος.

 

Notice “exchange” does not mean “to declare” or “to impute.” There is something “real” that takes place. When a “body is thrust out by another,” that is not a mere legal declaration, but a recognition of an intrinsic reality.

 

This actually fits the entire theology of the epistle, not just an isolated “proof-text” from 9:5. On this, see:

 

The Epistle to Diognetus vs. Reformed Theology

 

Furthermore, the use of δικαιοω does not support justification being merely forensic. On this, see the discussion of this verb and an interaction with Leon Morris on -οω verbs at:

 

Refuting Christina Darlington on the Nature of "Justification"