1 john 2:1
Grant
grant at cajun.net
Tue Dec 21 21:17:08 EST 1999
I just found an article off a CD with biblical commentaries on certain subjects. I don't know the scholarly level of it; therefore, I won't give an opinion but I'd like some to see if it is applicable to our discussion because somebody made a point about the aorist tense being used and the article makes reference to that tense.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.At 1 John 2:1, the apostle John says: "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father" (KJ). The Greek verb for "sin" is in the aorist tense, hence the time of the action is punctiliar, or momentary. The aorist tense here points to one act of sinning, whereas the present infinitive would denote the condition of being a sinner or the continuous or progressive action in sinning. So John does not speak of someone carrying on a practice of sinning, but of one who does "commit a sin." (Compare Mt 4:9, where the aorist indicates that the Devil did not ask Jesus to do constant or continuous worship to him, but "an act of worship.")
But, if 1 John 3:6, 9 is read without taking into account the fact that the verb there is in the present tense, John seems to contradict his words above noted. The King James Version reads: "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not," and, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." These renderings fail to carry over into English the continuous action denoted by the present tense of the Greek verbs used. Some modern translations, instead of saying here, "sinneth not" and "doth not commit sin," take note of the continuous action and render the verbs accordingly: "does not practice sin," "does not carry on sin" (NW); "practices sin," "makes a practice of sinning" (CB); "does not habitually sin," "does not practice sin" (Ph); "does not continue to sin" (TEV). Jesus commanded his followers at Matthew 6:33: "Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom," indicating continuous effort, rather than merely "seek ye first the kingdom" (KJ). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I don't fully understand the extent to which it is saying so like I said before, I'm reserving comments on it. But someone's opinion is most welcomed. Thanks
Sincerely,
Grant Polle
"Everything is the Devil to you, mama" --Statement from Adam Sandler in the
film "Water Boy"
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