[B-Greek] hO ESTIN? (1 Jn 2:8)

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Sat Feb 10 04:01:06 EST 2007


----- Original Message ----- 

Webb:

>> I'm going to speculate that John, when he says
>> PALIN ENTOLHN KAINHN GRAFW hUMIN,
>> Is then thinking, but not writing, AGAPATE ALLHLOUS (cf. Jn 13:34).
>> I suspect that it is that unspoken command--not the word "command"-- 
>> which is
>> resumed by the relative clause:
>> hO ESTIN ALHQES EN AUTW KAI EN hUMIN
>>
>> That is to say, John is saying that the command, "love one
>> another", despite not being a statement in the indicative, is "True" both in Christ
>> and in them. And it is shown to be true hOTI (because) the darkness of
>> hatred is dissipating and the light of mutual love is already shining. And, if
>> somebody says they're in this new light and hates their brother or
>> sister, they're actually still in the dark (2:9).

Carl:
> I should have cited his English version of the passage:
>
> "(2:7) Dear friends, I am not writing a new command to you, but
> rather an old command that you have had since the beginning. The old
> command is the message that you heard. (8) On the other hand, I AM
> writing a new command to you -- and this claim (that I am writing a
> new command) is true in and of itself and with respect to you --
> becaue the darkness is disappearing and the true light is now shining."

In this case I agree with my translator colleague, Webb.

The translation by Culy makes no sense to me, because it focuses on the grammar, where the sense 
needs to be derived from pragmatics and context. The hO - which - of hO ESTIN sets the reader up to 
think "What does this concept mean? or "How does it apply?" The "new and not new" command is the 
great command "Love God with all your heart etc, and your neighbour as yourself". This is not a new 
command since it was there in Leviticus. On the other hand there is something new about it, namely 
that it "is true" in Jesus. He not only cited the command, he lived it. The same applies to his true 
followers, because they are part of the new covenant life where darkness is disappearing and the 
true light (Jesus) is now shining. It is not only true in him but also in you - ALHQES EN AUTW KAI 
EN hUMIN (or EN hHMIN as many good manuscripts have it.)

Iver Larsen 




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