Gal 2:6

Clwinbery at aol.com Clwinbery at aol.com
Sat Aug 10 13:28:07 EDT 2002



In a message dated 8/9/02 3:56:39 PM, njfitzpatrick at eircom.net writes:

>Gal 2:6 (EMOI GAR hOI DOKOUNTES OUDEN 
>PROSANEQENTO) is translated as "these leaders contributed 
>nothing to me" (NRSV).  Several other translations seem to give  
>similar versions.   
>
>BDAG gives two meanings for PROSANATIQHMI: (1) add, 
>contribute (Gal 2:6) and (2) consult with (Gal 1:16).  These are the 
>the only verses in the NT which use PROSANATIQHMI.
>
>Thus it seems that, at least, two possible meanings  are possible for 
>this part of Gal 2:6. (1) Paul did consult with the DOKOUNTES but 
>they made no additions to his views or (2) Paul did not consult them. 
>
>
>However, as in Gal 1:16 (OU PROSANEQEMHN SARKI KAI 
>hAIMATI) it is clear that Paul did not consult with others,  could it 
>not be considered more likely that Paul uses PROSANATIQHMI with 
>the same meaning in both verses?   Hence  Gal 2:6 implies Paul did 
>NOT consult the DOKOUNTES.   
>
>I would welcome comments.
>
>Regards,
>
>Noel J Fitzpatrick 

In 1:16 Paul is the subject of the verb, thus "consult makes good sense."

In 2:6 the hOI DOKOUNTES are the subject of the verb and thus the only way it 
makes sense is to say they added nothing to me. There interests seem not to 
be to consult but to control. 

Carlton Winbery
Louisiana College



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