[B-Greek] Anarthrous Convertible Expressions
Kevin Riley
klriley at alphalink.com.au
Tue Feb 15 20:33:29 EST 2005
-------Original Message-------
I agree with the qualitative or metaphorical meaning of FWS in 1 Jn 1:5, but
I would like to comment on some of the supporting arguments given.
Sheldon (included below) gave a great summary of what Daniel Wallace says in
his grammar on pp. 40-48 with special emphasis on page 45. However, Wallace
may have left the impression that there can never be a convertible
proposition in Greek using the verb EIMI where the predicate nominative
precedes the copula (and is anarthrous).
Wallace pg. 45 "When both substantives meet one of the three qualifications
for S, then they become interchangeable."
The three qualifications as Wallace lists are
1) Proper Name
2) Pronoun
3) Articular Noun
Now according to Colwell, every definite predicate nominative (PN) preceding
the copula will not have an article. This would eliminate #3 from being
considered as a convertible in these situations. So Wallace implies that
the only convertible preverbal PNs would be proper names or pronouns.
*****************
I believe you are misquoting Colwell. His argument is not that "every
definite predicate nominative (PN) preceding
the copula will not have an article" but that the majority of definite PN's
in that position will not have an article, or conversely, that one cannot
assume that the lack of the article equates with indefiniteness. He
actually lists those occasions where his rule does not seem to apply in his
article.
Kevin Riley
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