[B-Greek] Greetings & Question

richard pardo richardpardo at yahoo.com
Sun Oct 17 14:18:34 EDT 2004


Greetings b-greekers!
 
     This is my first post to this list, though I've lurked for many months.  My name is Richard Pardo, and I live in Nashville, TN.  I began studying Koine Greek many years ago, but due to other studies and activities, my Greek learning was discontinued.  I would like to begin serious study again, as I believe in the value of knowing the language.
     There's my brief introduction.  I don't want to take your time with a longer one.  I do have a question for the List, and would appreciate as much response as is reasonable.
     The question has to do with certain comments about, and the translation of 1 Cor. 13:8, by Rev. William J. Morford, who also translated the N.T., samples of which may be found at http://www.thepowernewtestament.com/.  I suppose (without discussing theology of course) my question is, "What do you think about it?"  A copy of the text in question follows.
 

Note by the translator:

UBS is The United Bible Society, a group of Greek scholars whose life work is studying the ancient Greek manuscripts to determine which texts are closest to the original first century manuscripts. This takes considerable detective work since our oldest manuscripts date from the second century.

Regarding 1 Corinthians 13:8:

"And whether prophecies will be abolished; or tongues will cease, or knowledge will be abolished: love never perishes." I Corinthians 13:8. The Power New Testament

In almost all other translations, the Greek ‘eite’ (which means ‘whether) has been either ignored or mis-translated, resulting in a weaker emphasis regarding this important teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The word eite, in the Greek, is before each noun: ie. prophecy, tongues, and knowledge.

In his fluent, aggressive, first-order Greek style, Paul is saying, no matter what – Love – the Agape or God-given Love – is essential forever. However, in keeping to our English rendering, The PNT has "love never perishes’ at the end of this verse.

Why is this small Greek word ‘eite’ so important? Eite is used, not only in the 4th Edition UBS (?), but in every Greek text, including the Vatican text #1209. (Vatican Library). My interlinear copy of The Diagolott, although translating closely to The Power New Testament beneath the Greek words, ignores eite in its parallel English translation.

In the NASB, the word "If’ is used in the context of these gifts, suggesting… if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away, which places doubt on the validity, authenticity and duration of these gifts.

The words in bold were added by the translators.

Certainly, Paul was not questioning these gifts, but clarifying for every believer, that Divine Love is the underlying motivation and lasting foundation that transcends time itself.

May every believer, not only move in these gifts of the Holy Spirit, but walk daily in His Divine, Imperishable Love.

 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Richard Pardo
Nashville, TN.
 
p.s.  What do you think of Rev. Morford's translation of the other passages shown on his web-site?



		
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