A World Upside Down

 Hello everyone.

I had hoped to get to the birth of Jesus in my exegesis of Luke by Christmas.  But I haven't gotten that far just yet.  However, I have reached Mary's song of praise, recorded in Luke 1:46-55.  Last spring I took a course in Hermeneutics and Exegesis.  I was assigned this passage to write a paper on.  I probably would not have chosen it, but researching and doing exegesis on it was a great learning experience for me.  There is a lot that we can learn from Mary's song of praise.  I will do my best to boil my lengthy paper down to just give you the highlights. 

Here is my translation of the first few verses:

46  Mary said, 

    “My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 My spirit has rejoiced in God, my savior.

48 For he has looked upon the lowly state of his servant.   

       Indeed, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me,        

Holy is his name. 

The first word in Greek, Μεγαλύνει (megalunay) is a form of the word μεγαλὑνω (megalunoe).  Alan Thompson, author of Exegetical Guide to the Greek: Luke, gives several potential translations of the word, 'make or declare great,' 'magnify,' 'exalt,' 'glorify.' (p. 28.) Most translations that I have seen translate it as 'magnify.'  The Greek word ψυχή (psyche)  is the subject of the sentence and is doing the magnifying. This word can mean “soul” or “life.” Within the context, the word “soul” makes more sense.  So Mary’s soul is exalting, glorifying or magnifying the Lord. 

In the second line Mary uses the words “πνεῦμά μου,”  (pneuma mou) which means 'my spirit' and ἠγαλλίασεν (aygalliasen) a form of the word ἀγαλλιἁω (agalliaoe), which means rejoice.  'My spirit rejoices.' Mary has used different words to say the same thing twice. This repetition reinforces the joy that she expresses to God for what he has done. That this praise is coming from her soul and spirit tells us that this is not mere lip service, but from her complete and inmost being.  

In verse 48, Mary uses the word ἐπέβλεψεν (epeblepsev), to describe God’s action.  The word means, 'look upon,' but is sometimes translated as 'looked upon with favor.' (NRSV.)  God has looked upon Mary’s ταπείνωσις (tapeinosis). According to Greek-English Lexicon of New Testament Words, the word can mean, 'lowliness', 'humble station,' or even 'humiliation.' I went with 'lowly state.'  God is aware of Mary’s lowly status.  He is not oblivious to her difficult situation.  Also of note is Mary's use of the word, 'δούλης,' (doulays) or 'slave,' rather than 'διάκονἡ, (diakonay) 'servant.' Mary is wholehearted in her devotion and willing to do whatever God requires of her.  

Because of her full devotion, now all generations are going to call her blessed.  A statement that can be looked upon two thousand years after the fact and we would all agree that it is true.  In verse 49 we can see why all generations are going to call Mary blessed.  It is because of what the 'Mighty One' has done for her.  Her reference to God she uses the word 'δυνατός.' (dynatos) This is generally used as an adjective, meaning “able, capable, powerful.”  But here it is used as a noun, signifying 'one who is mighty."  The word itself has to do with the ability to do something, but in God, that ability to accomplish things extends into the impossible.  He is more than able or capable.  His ability to do anything makes Him mighty.  He is the Mighty One, and Mary recognizes that the Mighty One has done great things for her.  

Here is where an upside down world begins to appear in Mary’s song.  She is in a lowly state, yet God has done great things for her.  Within her lowliness, wonderful things are happening to her and for her. 

I know I threw a lot of Greek at you this time, but each of these Greek words tells us a lot about Mary and her Mighty God. To be continued.

Tom 

Thompson, Alan J. Exegetical Guide to the Greek: Luke. Nashville, Tenn. B & H academic. 2016.