Matt 5:37

How do I work out the meaning of a Greek text? How can I best understand the forms and vocabulary in this particular text?
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RussellAllen
Posts: 1
Joined: June 11th, 2011, 3:54 am

Matt 5:37

Post by RussellAllen »

Matt. 5:37 ἔστω δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ· τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἐστίν.

Hi guys,

What is it that leads some translations to translate the last part of this verse as "comes from the evil one", rather than "comes from evil"?

Thanks
Barry Hofstetter
Posts: 2159
Joined: May 6th, 2011, 1:48 pm

Re: Matt 5:37

Post by Barry Hofstetter »

RussellAllen wrote:Matt. 5:37 ἔστω δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ· τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἐστίν.

Hi guys,

What is it that leads some translations to translate the last part of this verse as "comes from the evil one", rather than "comes from evil"?

Thanks
It's the substantive use of τοῦ πονηροῦ. The genitive singular ending here can be either masculine or or neuter. If masculine, it refers to "the evil one." If neuter, to "evil." Which is best must be determined from context, parallel usages, and the history of interpretation.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter, M.A., Th.M.
Ph.D. Student U of FL
Instructor of Latin
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
καὶ σὺ τὸ σὸν ποιήσεις κἀγὼ τὸ ἐμόν. ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε.
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