Acts 1:9-11 and the Hyper-Preterism Debate by Keith A. Mathison

Otto also makes much of the fact that the BAGD lexicon lists 1 Clement 45:8 as
another text that includes the verb epairō in the passive voice. He says, “As we can
plainly here see, the only other similar use of this word does not denote a literal and
physical elevation of the person, but rather describes in figurative terms the elevation of
the person in honor and dignity, i.e., exaltation.” 77
Several observations are in order. In
the first place, it must be noted that the editors of the lexicon do not place 1 Clement 45:8
under either of the two figurative meanings of the verb. It is listed, along with Acts 1:9,
under the literal meaning of the verb (i.e. to “be taken up”). Secondly, the editors define
the meaning of the verb in 1 Clement 45:8 as “the exaltation to heaven of those who
endured.” 78
The passage in 1 Clement is discussing those who suffered persecution and
martyrdom but persevered in faith until the end. They may have died, but they were
“exalted to heaven” or “lifted up to heaven.” 79
Of course, in 1 Clement this is not
referring to the physical lifting up of their bodies to heaven. It is referring to the lifting
up of their souls or spirits to heaven. But this is not something that is found in the
meaning of the verb itself. It is something that must be determined by the context.
Finally, it is incorrect to claim that 1 Clement 45:8 contains the only other similar use of
this verb. It may be the only other use of this verb in the passive voice that has been
found thus far in the literature of this time, but this is not as significant as Otto assumes.
The most important clue to the meaning of the word epairō in Acts 1:9 is its use
elsewhere in the New Testament. In these books, the verb is used approximately 20
times. An examination of each of the texts in which it is found reveals that epairō is not
used to refer to the lifting up of someone in stature, dignity, or honor. In other words, it
is not used to mean “exaltation” in the New Testament literature. 80
In the majority of
cases, it is used in connection with the “lifting up” of one’s eyes (e.g., Matt. 17:8), or
one’s voice (e.g., Acts 2:14). It is also used to refer to the lifting up of one’s hands (Luke
24:50; 1 Tim. 2:8), one’s head (Luke 21:28), or the sail of a ship (Acts 27:40). It is used
once in the figurative sense of “rising up in opposition” (2 Cor. 10:5) and once in the
77 Otto, Coming in the Clouds, 253.
78 See BAGD, s.v. e*paivrw, 2,a, (p. 282). Emphasis mine.
79 The passage in 1 Clement 45 does not exclude the idea of honor, but neither is it limited to the idea of
honor. The passage includes the idea of the souls of the martyrs being lifted up to heaven.
80 It should be noted that the verb epairō was sometimes used to communicate the idea of exaltation in the
Septuagint. This usage is not attested in the Bauer lexicon of New Testament and other early Christian
literature.
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