Fwd: Re: Dative in Gal 5:25

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Thu Sep 19 12:01:56 EDT 2002


Forwarded for George Somsel:

>From: Polycarp66 at aol.com
>
>In a message dated 9/18/2002 8:54:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>fco_orozcog at terra.com.mx writes:
>
>>Hello,
>>    What kind of dative is PNEUMATI in Gal 5:25?
>>
>>EI ZWMEN PNEUMATI PNEUMATI KAI STOICWMEN
>>
>
>
>I believe Carl has stated on a number of occasions that our distinctions
>of various uses of the cases would have been somewhat foreign to the
>Greek.  Nevertheless, we do make distinctions in order to attempt to
>understand more precisely what is being asserted in any statement.  In the
>case of Gal 5.25 it would seem that there is more than one type of dative
>which might be considered as being used. 
>
>The "dative of manner or means" comes to mind.  This would answer the
>question "How do we live?" with "By the Spirit" or "By means of the
>Spirit."
>
>Then there is a "dative of rule."  This answers a similar question "By
>what standard do you live" with "We live in conformity with the rule
>established by the Spirit."
>
>Finally (well, the last I intend to mention) there is the "dative of
>sphere."  Here it is considered to be the realm in which something
>functions -- "We live in the realm of the Spirit."
>
>These are all mentioned in many of the grammars.
>      
>gfsomsel





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