[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








More information about the B-Greek mailing list