[B-Greek] 1 Cor 1:26

CWestf5155 at aol.com CWestf5155 at aol.com
Thu Mar 17 12:52:22 EST 2005


In a message dated 3/17/2005 8:45:47 AM Mountain Standard Time, 
winberycl at earthlink.net writes:
>All imperatives in English are an understood second person but 
>"consider" is not necessarily an imperative. Hence using "consider" 
>to render what one perceives to be an imperative might not be as 
>clear as another possibility.
>
>Best
>
>Jim

Jim, when "Consider" is used to direct someone's attention to an idea 
and no subject is given, it is imperative. Check any basic English 
grammar. It appears to me to be as strong as Paul wanted it to be in 
calling attention to the make-up of the Corinthian church. He could 
have said BLEPETE, W MOROI. but he did not and so I opt for a nicer 
translation.

Carlton Winbery
This is an interesting conversation.  I think that Jim is thinking and 
processing pragmatically rather than formally.  He doen't perceive BLEPETE as 
telling someone what to do. 

This morning I was editing my work where it addresses this very issue (26,659 
words to go--that is to delete).  I would place this occurence of BLEPETE in 
the pragmatic category of a marker of attention: 

"Markers of attention include words such as IDOU (look!, see!, listen!), IDE 
(look!, see!, listen!) and AGE (come!). Their main function is deictic, for 
they emphasize the focus of the sentence that they modify. In Mk. 4:3, the 
parable of the sower begins with: AKOUETE, IDOU EXHLQEN hO SPEIRWN SPEIRAI (Listen! 
Look! A sower went out to sow). The imperative AKOUETE  is used to command 
attention, so that it pragmatically functions as a marker of attention. It is 
reinforced by ijdouv, so that the two words together are very emphatic, 
providing a prominent point of departure for a parable." 

So, I agree that BLEPETE is imperative--without question.  As Carlton says, 
it is being used to direct someone's attention to an idea.  Pragmatically it is 
deictic--pragmatics give it a different spin.

Cindy Westfall
Denver Seminary



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