The Copula: Is it the interpretative key to what Jesus meant by “This is my body?”

[Dead Orthodoxy]

A copula is a non-action verb.  The copula’s function is to connect the subject and the predicate nominative or predicative adjective in a sentence. Most often, the copula is the verb “to be” but more complex copular constructions, use copular based verbs such as grow, stay, feel, sound, etc.  

The usage of the copula fulfills one of the most basic functions of language. It allows people by simple and ordinary means to describe their world and experiences in a direct way.

The function of the copula only does two and only two things.  It either describes or renames the subject of the sentence.

Examples of copula-predicate nominatives which renames the subject.
    ▪    The baby is a boy.
    ▪    The car is a Ford.
    ▪    The grass species is dichondra.
    ▪    Les Misérables is a novel by Victor Hugo.

Examples of copula-predicate adjectives which describe the subject.
    •    The baby is sickly.
    •    The car is green.
    •    The grass is dying.
    •    Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables is full of interesting characters.

When Jesus said “This is my body” he is using a copula-predicate nominative grammatical construction.  The “body” renames the personal pronoun “this” for bread.  This is the correct grammatical meaning even if we can’t fully understand it.

 

[R. Hartono]

2 Cor 3:6 ......for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.

NT was written in Greek, each language translation has grammatical barrier, hasnt it ?

[appy]

6 hours ago, Dead Orthodoxy said:

When Jesus said “This is my body” he is using a copula-predicate nominative grammatical construction.  The “body” renames the personal pronoun “this” for bread.  This is the correct grammatical meaning even if we can’t fully understand it.

I hope this isn't about Transubstantiation.  

 

[Dead Orthodoxy]

8 minutes ago, appy said:

I hope this isn't about Transubstantiation.  

 

Transubstantiation allows for NO BREAD to be present which is contrary to the post.

[Riverwalker]

6 hours ago, Dead Orthodoxy said:

A copula is a non-action verb.  The copula’s function is to connect the subject and the predicate nominative or predicative adjective in a sentence. Most often, the copula is the verb “to be” but more complex copular constructions, use copular based verbs such as grow, stay, feel, sound, etc.  

The usage of the copula fulfills one of the most basic functions of language. It allows people by simple and ordinary means to describe their world and experiences in a direct way.

The function of the copula only does two and only two things.  It either describes or renames the subject of the sentence.

Examples of copula-predicate nominatives which renames the subject.
    ▪    The baby is a boy.
    ▪    The car is a Ford.
    ▪    The grass species is dichondra.
    ▪    Les Misérables is a novel by Victor Hugo.

Examples of copula-predicate adjectives which describe the subject.
    •    The baby is sickly.
    •    The car is green.
    •    The grass is dying.
    •    Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables is full of interesting characters.

When Jesus said “This is my body” he is using a copula-predicate nominative grammatical construction.  The “body” renames the personal pronoun “this” for bread.  This is the correct grammatical meaning even if we can’t fully understand it.

 

According to the Greek a Copula can be used two ways, as a definition. or as a comparison

2. εἰμί, as a copula, indicates that the subject is or is to be compared to the thing expressed by the predicate

 τοῦτο ἐστι τό σῶμα μου, this which I now hand to you is, as it were, my body, Luke 22:19

According to Strong's concordance, he is using it in the comparative vein. An analogy.

His body was broken and given in sacrifice  as the passover bread was broken and given. 

[appy]

1 hour ago, Dead Orthodoxy said:

Transubstantiation allows for NO BREAD to be present which is contrary to the post.

Transubstantiation is a term that attempts to explain how bread and wine can become the real body and the blood of the Lord without losing their exterior appearance.

[Dead Orthodoxy]

1 minute ago, appy said:

Transubstantiation is a term that attempts to explain how bread and wine can become the real body and the blood of the Lord without losing their exterior appearance. No serious protestant will accept this doctrine

Agreed.  I fully understand the distinctions between the substance and accident per Aristotle.

[Dead Orthodoxy]

6 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

According to the Greek a Copula can be used two ways, as a definition. or as a comparison

2. εἰμί, as a copula, indicates that the subject is or is to be compared to the thing expressed by the predicate

 τοῦτο ἐστι τό σῶμα μου, this which I now hand to you is, as it were, my body, Luke 22:19

According to Strong's concordance, he is using it in the comparative vein. An analogy.

His body was broken and given in sacrifice  as the passover bread was broken and given. 

My OP just gives the bare essential grammatical construction.   More complex usages of the copula can be found in metaphor, synecdoche, and metonymy.   So I agree with the copula as a comparative as you have stated.   However, I have strong reservations against seeing Jesus' words as an analogy.   

An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.  Some individuals use the term analogy as an umbrella description for parables or allegories.  Others have distinct categories within the usage of term analogy such as illustrative analogy, ordered-pairs analogy, antithetical-pair analogy, etc. The common feature however of an analogy is a comparison of two distinct ideas, places, concepts or things.

Contextually, I don't see the plain words of Jesus giving a strong two point comparison.

 

[Riverwalker]

3 minutes ago, Dead Orthodoxy said:

My OP just gives the bare essential grammatical construction.   More complex usages of the copula can be found in metaphor, synecdoche, and metonymy.   So I agree with the copula as a comparative as you have stated.   However, I have strong reservations against seeing Jesus' words as an analogy.   

An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.  Some individuals use the term analogy as an umbrella description for parables or allegories.  Others have distinct categories within the usage of term analogy such as illustrative analogy, ordered-pairs analogy, antithetical-pair analogy, etc. The common feature however of an analogy is a comparison of two distinct ideas, places, concepts or things.

Contextually, I don't see the plain words of Jesus giving a strong two point comparison.

 

Jesus is well known for His Analogies

Below is a list of Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements in the book of John.

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.

 “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as a guide.

“I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9) Jesus protects His followers as shepherds protect their flocks from predators.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

“I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.

“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.

 

[Dead Orthodoxy]

1 minute ago, Riverwalker said:

Jesus is well known for His Analogies

Below is a list of Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements in the book of John.

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.

 “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as a guide.

“I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9) Jesus protects His followers as shepherds protect their flocks from predators.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

“I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.

“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.

 

Ain't buyin' what your sellin'

The "I am" ARE METAPHORS NOT ANALOGIES.