[B-Greek] graphe in 2 Tim 3:16
Jonathan Robie
jwrobie at mindspring.com
Tue Jun 26 09:13:17 EDT 2007
Robert and Diana McNamara wrote:
> In 2nd Timothy 3:16, the word *graphe* can be translated as both writing,
> and scripture. Is the determination of writing, or scripture based entirely
> on the context of the message?
Unless I'm missing something (quite possible at my level of Greek), only
context distinguishes, but GRAPHE very typically refers to the Old
Testament scriptures in the New Testament, and there are no other
authoritative writings to which it would generally refer.
I also find Robertson's comments helpful on this particular vers:
> *Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable * (πασα γραφη
> θεοπνευστος κα ωφελιμος). There are two matters of doubt in this
> clause. One is the absence of the article η before γραφη, whether that
> makes it mean "every scripture" or "all scripture" as of necessity if
> present. Unfortunately, there are examples both ways with both πας and
> γραφη. Twice we find γραφη in the singular without the article and yet
> definite ( 1Pe 2:6; 2Pe 1:20
> <passagestudy.jsp?action=showRef&type=scripRef&value=1Pe+2%3A6%3B+2Pe+1%3A20&module=>
> ). We have πας Ισραηλ ( Ro 11:26
> <passagestudy.jsp?action=showRef&type=scripRef&value=Ro+11%3A26&module=>
> ) for all Israel (Robertson, /Grammar/, p. 772). So far as the
> grammatical usage goes, one can render here either "all scripture" or
> "every scripture." There is no copula (εστιν) in the Greek and so one
> has to insert it either before the κα or after it. If before, as is
> more natural, then the meaning is: "All scripture (or every scripture)
> is inspired of God and profitable." In this form there is a definite
> assertion of inspiration. That can be true also of the second way,
> making "inspired of God" descriptive of "every scripture," and putting
> εστιν (is) after κα: "All scripture (or every scripture), inspired of
> God, is also profitable."
Hope this helps!
Jonathan
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