[B-Greek] TAUTA and hINA in Jn 15:17
Rbsads at aol.com
Rbsads at aol.com
Fri May 23 07:05:24 EDT 2003
Jn 15:17 TAUTA ENTELLOMAI hUMIN, hINA AGAPATE ALLNLOUS
The translations differ whether TAUTA refers to plural commands and hINA
introduces a purpose clause or whether TAUTA refers to the single command that is
introduced by hINA.
In the NRSV, TAUTA refers to plural commands, which I suppose are understood
to be the verses 13-16. The hINA clause introduces the reason for the
preceding commands. These verses however do not seem to me to be commands.
In the NIV, TAUTA is rendered as a singular and refers to the hINA clause as
its referent.
Prompted by the earlier discussion of Bullinger, I made reference to his
chapter in Figures on heterosis of number, plural for singular, and found this:
"This is so put when great excellence or magnitude is denoted. Our attention
is thus called to the importance of thethng or matter concerning which the
statement is made."
This I am taking as an explanation of how the referent of TAUTA could be the
singular hINA clause.
Wallace explains in his grammar that hINA can be used as a direct object
clause, rather that purpose, expecially after verbs of command, etc. In fact,
John seems to follow this quite frequently thoughout the preceding passage.
Please offer any comments on how this verse might be best understood.
Thanks,
Richard Smith
Chattanooga, TN
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