[B-Greek] 1 Cor 13.2 "all"?

Jim West jwest at highland.net
Sat Apr 23 11:30:28 EDT 2005


Strictly speaking, Paul is addressing Corinthian claims to possess these 
things.  It is not too much a stretch to put the outrageous claim in the 
mouth of the Corinthians- "I have ALL knowledge", "so, I have ALL 
faith", "well that's no big deal, I know ALL things".  The nascent (or 
pre-nascent!) gnosticism in Corinth made it possible for it's adherent 
to make such impossible claims.  Grammatically, the text is 
problem-less.  Theologically, it makes perfect since to be quite literal 
when one recalls the circumstances of the letter.

Best

Jim


Mitch Larramore wrote:

>2 questions please
>
>
>KAI EAN ECW PROFHTEIAN KAI EIDW TA MUSTHRIA PANTA KAI
>PASAN THN GNWSIN, KAI EAN ECW PASAN THN PISTIN WSTE..
>
>Intuitively, I can grasp the idea of how one can know
>"all mysteries." Actually, I grasp it in the
>hypothetical realm, but nevertheless, it makes sense.
>
>It's a bit awkward to say (in English, that is) to say
>one knows "all knowledge." I might say, "I have
>knowledge of all." Or, "I have complete/total
>knowledge of all." 
>
>1. So, what are the options of understanding PASAN THN
>GNWSIN?
>
>And even more difficult for me to grasp is the idea of
>having "all faith." That just makes no sense
>whatsoever to me. "All" just doesn't seem like an
>appropriate adjective for "faith." Again, I can see
>someone saying they have "total confidence" in such
>and such. Or, I have "all THE faith" I need. But to
>translate this phrase "all faith" is tough for me to
>grasp. 
>
>2.Any suggestions on how to understand PASAN THN
>PISTIN?
>
>
>
>Mitch Larramore
>Sugar Land, Texas
>
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-- 
Jim West

Biblical Studies Resources -  http://web.infoave.net/~jwest
Biblical Theology Weblog -  http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com




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