[B-Greek] Lexical question on PISTIS
mrt
mrt at hisurfer.net
Wed Jan 14 11:00:01 EST 2004
Mitch Larramore writes:
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.
_________
I don't think we need to be very concerned when a particular word has a
nuance that is apart from the more common uses in the GNT. We have
extra-biblical literature that attests to its use; PISTIS has the meaning ~
as what inspires assurance, guarantee, a (means of) proof.
For comparative uses in literature note the evidence that BDAG or
Liddell-Scott give. And I see that Carl C. has pointed this out - he beat
me to it. But again there is no dilemma when the meaning of a word stands
apart from its popular sense.
Michael Tarver
Oregon, USA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl W. Conrad" <cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu>
To: "Mitch Larramore" <mitchlarramore at yahoo.com>
Cc: "B Greek" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:11 AM
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Lexical question on PISTIS
> 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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