[B-Greek] Jn 10:38 hINA GNWTE KAI GINWSKHTE
RRedden604 at aol.com
RRedden604 at aol.com
Mon Feb 13 17:06:21 EST 2006
Perhaps I was looking for more than there is in the text. It seems to me
that the two forms occur because neither alone would emphasize what Jesus
meant. There is no such thing as a perfect subjunctive in Greek. Only the
present and aorist tenses are used in the subjunctive mood. I suppose the future
tense could have worked here, but it is rare following hINA in the NT.
It is clear that the aorist subjunctive is the dominant mood and tense
following hINA by a three to one margin (Check out Turner, Syntax, p. 101). A
lopsidedness is found in John as well. Whenever the present tense is used there
seems to be an emphasis upon Aktionsart. "The distinction between the
present and the aorist concerns merely the manner in which the action is regarded.
The aorist subjunctive refers to the action without saying anything about
its continuance or repetition, while the present subjunctive refers to it as
continuing or as being repeated" (Machen, 131).
We also need to recall that "there is absolutely no distinction of time"
between the aorist subjunctive and present subjunctive; the distinction between
the two "concerns merely the manner in which the action is regarded."
Distinction in time is found only in the indicative mood. "There is but one mood
which has essential temporal relations; viz., the indicative" (DM 167).
I am inclined to view the two subjunctives serving to indicate the beginning
and the continuation of the same thing. "... so that you may come to know
and realize (a linear verb) that the Father is in Me and I in the Father."
"Understand" for the present subjunctive works just about as well for me, but
not exactly. It seems to carry with it a possible "punctiliar" sense whereas
"realize" doesn't.
The TEV and NJB, as noted by the UBS Translators Handbook, combine the two
verbs into one and add adverbial expressions: "that you may know once and for
all," and "then you will know for certain." NLT simplifies it: "then you
will realize..." These seem to capture the intent of the two verbs.
Any further observations would be greatly appreciated.
Rob Redden
Church of Christ
Grover Beach, CA
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