Condition in Acts 17:27

Polycarp66 at aol.com Polycarp66 at aol.com
Wed Sep 4 22:32:38 EDT 2002


In a message dated 9/4/2002 9:35:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, ewz at ewz.com 
writes:

Can anyone offer insight on what type of condition may be in view in
Acts 17:27?  It seems to be an incomplete condition where the protasis
includes the optative mood, and the apodosis seems to be absent.  Thanks
for any assistance.
___________________________________

It is advisable to transliterate the text before you begin.  Although many of 
us don't use the transliteration to discuss the text, people have been known 
to cite the wrong verse or chapter numbers.  If we have the transliteration, 
we can literally see whether we're on the same page.

ZHTEIN TON QEON, EI ARA GE YHLAFHSEIAN AUTON KAI hEUOIEN, KAI GE OU MAKRAN 
APO hENOS hEKASTOU hHMWN hUPARXONTA.

Indeed you are correct.  This is an incomplete condition.  EI + Optative 
introduces a "Fourth Class Condition" or "Future Less Probable (or Less 
Probable Future) Condition.  The apodosis would be AN + Optative.  Wallace in 
Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics notes that there is no complete fourth class 
condition in the NT (p. 484).  It indicates a possible or potential action.

gfsomsel



More information about the B-Greek mailing list