Ephesians 4:26

Polycarp66 at aol.com Polycarp66 at aol.com
Thu Apr 13 18:02:31 EDT 2000



In a message dated 4/13/2000 6:09:48 AM Central Standard Time, mauros at iol.ie 
writes:

<< 
 There are many exceptions to this twofold "flavor" of the imperative in 
 actual usage, although in almost every instance the rhetorical power of the 
 imperative is still felt. Thus, when Paul says, "If the unbeliever departs, 
 let him depart (XWRIZESQW_" (1 Cor 7:15), the permissive imperative is more 
 strongly addressed to the heart than if he had said, "If the unbeliever 
 departs, that is OK!" In Jas 4:7 the conditional imperative has not lost 
 its injunctive flavor: "If you resist (ANTISTHTE) the devil-and you 
 should!-he will flee from you." Technically, then, it is not best to call 
 this the mood of command because it may be used for other than a command. 
 But that volitional force is nevertheless still lurking beneath the 
 surface, even when the speaker is not barking orders. <<
 
 He further says:
  >>4. Permissive Imperative (Imperative of Toleration)
 a. Definition
 The imperative is rarely used to connote permission or, better, toleration. 
 This usage does not normally imply that some deed is optional or approved. 
 It often views the act as a fait accompli. In such instances, the mood 
 could almost be called "an imperative of resignation." Overall, it is best 
 to treat this as a statement of permission, allowance, or toleration. The 
 connotations of "permission" are usually too positive to convey adequately 
 the nuances involved in this type of imperative.>> >>

Frankly, regardless of how esteemed he may be, I think Wallace is simply 
wrong here.  I don't think there is any such think as a "permissive" 
imperative.  To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, "An imperative is an imperative, 
is an imperative."  He doesn't say "You may let him go."  He says, "Let him 
go!" The command has nothing to do with whether it is proper for him to go, 
but with the reaction of the believer. I think he's allowing his theology 
(and I would agree with upholding the sanctity of marriage) interfere with 
his Greek studies.

gfsomsel



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