[B-Greek] 1Cor1:17 and 1Cor15:1; Question about def. articles

George F Somsel gfsomsel at juno.com
Tue Nov 15 17:24:23 EST 2005


On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 13:35:33 -0800 (PST) mike karoules
<steelcurtain40 at yahoo.com> writes:
> Hi folks,
>    
>   I just wanted to ask some of you(as someone who can just read the 
> greek) why the phrase in 1 Cor 1:17 is translated to english as  ". 
> . .but to preach the gospel." ?  IN the greek this is one word and 
> literally reads,  BAPTISEIN ALLA EUAGGELIESASQE.    In 1 Cor 15:1 
> the text seems to be saying the same phrase but here there is a def. 
> article used before "the gospel'':  TO EUAGGELION. . ..   So, why is 
> there a def. article in our english in1 Cor 1:17??  Couldn't we 
> possibly better render 1 Cor 1:17 into english as,  ". . .not to 
> baptize but to evangelize/tell good news." ??  
>    
>   I also would like to know from some of you of other words in the 
> greek  NT where there is only one greek word  from the text but must 
> break down into more than one in our english  translation with the 
> definite article used.
>    
>   May seem like a "kindergardner's greek"  question but any of you 
> that can give me some input will greatly be appreciated.
>    
>   Cordially,
>   Mike Karoules
>   Metro Atlanta, GA
_____________________

1 Cor 1.17
OU GAR APESTEILEN ME XRISTOS BAPTIZEIN ALLA EUAGGELIZESQAI

The word EUAGGELIZEQAI here, like BAPTIZEIN, is an infinitive.  It
functions as a kind of complement to the main verb and indicates the
purpose envisioned in the main verb.  The word itself carries the idea of
preaching the gospel in the NT or of announcing good news elsewhere.

1 Cor 15.1
GNWRIZW DE hUMIN, ADELFOI, TO EUAGGELION hO EUHGGELISAMHN hUMIN . . . 

Here EUAGGELION is a cognate of the verb EUAGGELISAMHN though it is not a
cognate accusative of EUAGGELISAMHN since it is not the object of this
verb, but is the object of GNWRIZW, i.e. it is a part of the predicate
which is the content of that which Paul is announcing to them.  "I inform
you that the gospel which I proclaimed (the gospel) to you."

george
gfsomsel
___________


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