[B-Greek] 1 Corinthians 14:5 - 'In order that'
Carl W. Conrad
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Tue Apr 22 06:36:06 EDT 2003
At 12:22 PM +0200 4/22/03, Trevor Hawes wrote:
>Cannot find an answer to this in the archives or other resources yet,
>and wanted to ask your opinions:
>(Remember, please do not get into discussions of layers of
>theology/doctrine what ever your persuasion. I just want to get an
>understanding into the translation of what the greek meant at that
>time.)
>
>1 Corinthians 14:5
>There is the word "INA" (In order that) in there which does not come
>through to most English translations. The construction is usually that
>"Something is done.. in order that.. something else may/will happen".
>
>Can this verse be translated from the greek as:
>"Now I wish all you to speak in tongues, but rather in order that you
>may prophesy; and greater (is) the (one) prophesying than the (one)
>speaking in tongues, except unless he interprets, in order that the
>church may receive edification."?
>
>Could it be possible that first, rather interestingly placed "INA" (in
>order that) refers to the speaking in tongues such that the first part
>can be rendered:
>
>"Now I wish all you to speak in tongues, but (I would) rather (have you
>speak in tongues) in order that you may prophesy"
The error here lies in the expectation that every hINA followed by a
subjunctive indicates a purpose clause; but in fact that's not the case;
very frequently in Hellenistic Greek and later Greek a clause introduced by
hINA and followed by a subjunctive is a substantive clause that is often
equivalent to an infinitive--although it MAY indicate purpose or result.
Text: QELW DE PANTAS hUMAS LALEIN GLWSSAIS, MALLON DE hINA PROFHTEUHTE.
In this instance hINA PROFHTEUHTE means the same as would hUMAS PROFHTEUEIN
so that the entire sentence could read: QELW DE PANTAS hUMAS LALEIN
GLWSSAIS, MALLON DE PROFHTEUEIN, and it is most simply Englished as, "I
wish you all to speak in tongues, but (even) more I wish you all to
prophesy." If one feels some strong need to translate the hINA +
subjunctive more literally, it could be, "but more (do I wish) that you
should prophesy."
--
Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Emeritus)
1989 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconrad/
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