[B-Greek] 1 Cor 1:26

Kerry Yankowy kyankowy at yahoo.com
Thu Mar 17 08:24:43 EST 2005


My questions centers around the mood of the verb BLEPW in 1 Cor 1:26: 
 
"BLEPETE GAR THN KLHSIN hUMWN, ADELFOI, hOTI OU POLLOI SOFOI KATA SARKA, OU POLLOI DUNATOI, OU POLLOI EUGENEIS"
 
The verb BLEPETE could either be in the indicative mood or in the imperative mood. Although the difference may not bear much on the meaning, I think it is important enough to at least consider.
 
The NKJV seems to translate the verb in the indicative mood: "For you see your calling, brethren,..." Is this because the translators wanted to retain the verb's primary meaning (see, look at), unlike the following translations, which use a tertiary or even fourth-level meaning of the verb?
 
But, the ESV, NASB, and NIV all translate the verb in the imperative mood:
 
ESV: "For consider your calling, brothers:..."
NASB: "For consider your calling, brethren,..."
NIV: "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called."
 
I tend to agree with the latter three interpretations. And my main reason is that in light of the preceding context (1:1-25), Paul is trying to be emphatic, and therefore commands his hearers to "consider" their calling.
 
What are your thoughts on this?
 
Mr. Kerry S. Yankowy
kyankowy at yahoo.com


		
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
 Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! 


More information about the B-Greek mailing list