[B-Greek] Lexical question on PISTIS

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Wed Jan 14 10:11:55 EST 2004


At 6:46 AM -0800 1/14/04, Mitch Larramore wrote:
>Acts 17:31
>KAQOTI ESTHSEN hHMERAN EN hHi MELLEI KRINEIN THN
>OIKOUMENHN EN DIKAIOSUNHi EN ANDRI hWi hWRISEN, PISTIN
>PARASCWN PASIN ANASTHSAS AUTON EK NEKRWN
>
>What is it about PISTIS that would allow it to be
>translated "proof." I think this is the only time in
>the GNT where it carries this translation.

Actually the very first definition in BDAG is "that which evokes trust and
faith," with subheadings (a) "the state of being someone in whom confidence
can be place, faithfulness, reliability, fidelity, commitment", (2) "a
solemn promise to be faithful and loyal, assurance, oath, troth", and (3) a
token offered as a guarantee of something promised, proof, pledge." Under
(3) it's worth noting the idiomatic phrase PISTIN PARECEIN as "furnish
proof" with citations from Josephus,  Polybius, Vettius Valens. And there
are other Classical as well as Hellenistic authors cited as using the word
PISTIS in this sense. So: if this is the only GNT instance of this usage of
PISTIS, "proof" or "ground for believing" is nevertheless a well-attested
sense of the word in Greek.
-- 

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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