[B-Greek] YUXIKOS and PNEUMATIKOS

Scott Stocking scottsox at conxxus.com
Wed Apr 26 14:46:00 EDT 2006


Certain prefixes and suffixes may have originally been intended to indicate
such nuances of words, but you must keep in mind that words ultimately
derive their meanings from usage in context, not etymology (see D.A.
Carson's _Exegetical Fallacies_). For example, the -IZW suffix on a verb has
a _tendency_ to intensify the unsuffixed meaning, but not always (e.g.,
PHRONEW/PHRONIZW, BAPTW/BAPTIZW). The -IKOS words represent a large sample
in the NT, so I would be cautious about saying ALL such words indicate
animation (over and above the simple adjectival understanding of the
suffix). And you should be cautious of words that have the -IK- as part of
the root rather than the suffix (OIKOS and ADIKOS come to mind) so as not to
confuse them with the suffix. If your question about the validity of the
principle referred specifically to the two words in your subject line, then
a comparison of the suffixed versus unsuffixed forms (YUXH/PNEUMA) of those
words _might_ reveal if Wright's conclusion is valid. Without having done a
detailed analysis, I would say YUXH itself implies some kind of animation
(without the suffix), because it refers to a living soul/person.

 

Scott Stocking

Adjunct Professor, Lincoln Christian College

 




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