hOI PERITEMNOMENOI in Gal. 6:13

Mark D. Nanos nanos at gvi.net
Tue Jan 25 12:01:06 EST 2000


Dear Carl,
Your comments on translation are very helpful, although it does not 
appear that the chalupa will drop on this one! It is interesting to 
note that the major commentators discuss or choose to translate this 
as reflexive middle (Bligh has one translation along this line, but 
is concerned with aspects of time), although the permissive is close. 
I had a discussion already informed by your arguments in other posts 
regarding this aspect of middle and the implications here. It is 
confirmed by my overall view of the argumentative context. But now I 
have wrapped up the chapter in process with more grammatical 
confidence. Thank you.

I have added a category for middle reflexive standing alone (those 
choosing circumcision for themselves), and added the reflexive 
characteristics to the other aspects for translating as concessive 
and circumstance attendant, and they work quite well. I cannot see 
how this would work with habitual!; and I do not think that it would 
have the meaning of self-circumcising, since proselyte conversion is 
a communal transfer of identity.

Although beyond the purview of this list, I think I should mention 
that I do not quite agree about the implications of this translation 
for what those influencing the addressees were doing or not with 
respect to seeking honor or the Law; discussion of that I will send 
you in brief off list. Your emphasis on reflexive middle aspect will 
help me to explain why as well.

Again, thanks,
Mark Nanos
Kansas City






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