[B-Greek] Subjunctive or indicative in Rom. 5:3
Steven Lo Vullo
themelios at charter.net
Sat Oct 9 00:30:19 EDT 2004
On Oct 8, 2004, at 9:17 PM, Lincoln Mullen wrote:
> Romans 5:3 reads, " OU MONON DE, ALLA KAI KAUXWMEQA EN TAIS QLIYESIN."
>
> Every translation that I have seen translates "KAUXWMEQA" as an
> indicative:
> "we boast." However, the form at least appears to have the possibility
> of
> being subjunctive: "let us boast." An analytical lexicon also parses
> the
> word as indicative. Is it possible to distinguish between the present
> active
> indicative 1st plural and the present active subjunctive 1st plural of
> A
> contract verbs? If so, what would be the subjunctive form for
> KAUXAOMAI?
Hi Lincoln:
It would be the same. Context is usually more than sufficient in
indicating which is meant. For example, if found in a hINA clause, we
could be sure that KAUCWMEQA was subjunctive. I think the context of
Rom 5.3 pretty clearly indicates that KAUCWMEQA is indicative. It is
important to take it together with v. 2. There KAUCWMEQA is clearly
indicative, its clause being coordinate to another indicative clause to
which it is joined by KAI. We wouldn't understand this as "through whom
we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we
stand, and LET US rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Then v. 3
begins with OU MONON DE, and the clause in which we once again find
KAUCWMEQA is modified by an adverbial use of KAI. This shows that the
two instances of KAUCWMEQA are related, the second instance indicating
an additional occasion of rejoicing. So the natural sense is "we
rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also
rejoice in sufferings."
============
Steven Lo Vullo
Madison, WI
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