hEN in 1 Cor 3.8
Iver Larsen
iver_larsen at sil.org
Wed Nov 20 02:57:04 EST 2002
> Hi all:
>
> 1 Cor 3.8: hO FUTEUWN DE KAI hO POTIZWN hEN EISIN
>
> I'd like some feedback on hEN. Should it be taken adjectivally or
> substantivally. The reason I ask is that some translations render it as
> 'equal' (RSV, NAB), which would seem to take it as adjectival, while
> others have the ministers working as a 'team' (NLT, REB). Granted, the
> NLT and REB paraphrases do not translate hEN as a predicate nominative
> ('are a team'), but, once deciding on 'team,' they could have. Any
> ideas?
> ============
>
> Steven R. Lo Vullo
> Madison, WI
Well, I would take it substantively, that is as an adjective that modifies
an implied noun (thing) - they are one (thing), that is, they are a unit in
some sense.
The context may imply equality, but I don't think that is part of the
meaning of hEIS in itself. Two unequal parts can still be a unity. TEV says
"There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters."
Others make explicit a oneness in terms of purpose as the NIV: "The man who
plants and the man who waters have one purpose".
Compare
Gal 3:28 PANTES GAR hUMEIS hEIS ESTE EN CRISTWi IHSOU
John 10:30 EGW KAI hO PATER hEN ESMEN
Iver Larsen
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