P. Derek Overfield PhD Thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText

the NT only in 2 Cor 2:14 and Col 2:15 and in both
instances it is followed by a direct, personal object.
This means that the meaning intended in these two
passages need not be in agreement with the use
intended when the verb is used either absolutely or
with a prepositional phrase. Apart from Col 2:15
Liddell and Scott cites only three texts '\"here the
verb is followed by a direct, personal object and in
each of these instances the meaning is quite clearly
'to lead conquered enemies in triumph'.
The lexicographers
also offer a modified meaning at this point,
namely, 'to lead in triumph as a general does his
army' • E1.lt as the only evidence offered for this
modification is 2 Cor 2:14 it seems extremely unlikely
that this modified meaning can in any sense be primary,
or indeed if this sense of the verb can be justified.
It is much more likely that the verb in Col 2:15 is
to be interpreted, as in the other instances when the
verb is followed by a personal object, 'to lead as a
conquere d enemy ln . a V1C . t ory para d e ' • 109
With regard to the problem of the
interpretation of &:1texouoU.!-l€YO,
there can be no doubt
that God remains formally the subject, but the real
question is whether by v.lS the author is thinking
more in terms of Christ as the agent?
If God is
the subject then the meaning must be 'stripping' or
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