[B-Greek] DUNAMAI 1 John 3:9
Denise Parkes
deniseparkes at hotmail.com
Tue Feb 5 18:42:36 EST 2008
George
Yes, I think that in some instances DUNAMAI can imply compulsion – but mainly, though not necessarily, from an internal source – one’s conscience, intuition, common sense, and personal preferences. In addition to 1 John 3:9, I think there are a number of other verses where DUNAMAI with a negative can be translated as “cannot bear to” or “dare not.” Here are three examples:
1. Acts 4:19-20: …EI DIKAION ESTIN ENWPION TOU QEOU hUMWN AKOUEIN MALLON hH TOU QEOU, KRINATE. OU DUNAMEQA GAR hHMEIS hA EIDAMEN KAI HKOUSAMEN MH LALEIN.
The sense of compulsion is very strong here. Peter and John COULD NOT BEAR, nor did they DARE, to do anything that was not right in the sight of God despite threats of violence.
2. 2 Cor.13:8: OU GAR DUNAMEQA TI KATA THS ALHQEIAS ALLA hUPER THS ALHQEIAS.
Paul is saying here that he CANNOT BEAR TO, nor does he DARE TO, go against his true convictions.
3. Mark 6:5: KAI OUK EDUNATO EKEI POEHSAI OUDEMIAN DUNAMIN, EI MH OLIGOIS ARRWOTOIS EPIQEIS TAS XEIRAS EQERAPEUSEN
Verse 2 of Mark 6 shows that Jesus had recently performed miracles in his home town but the audience did not have the same interest and amazement that was evident in other places. Thus Jesus COULD NOT BEAR TO provide further evidence of his divinity to such a faithless and impolite audience. He was not disempowered by their skepticism. This attitude of Jesus is present in his advice to the disciples in verse 11 regarding cities that did not welcome them.
George, if you have access to the documents cited for the entry for DUNAMEI in the LSJ, I would be very grateful for your review.
Thanks for your help,
Denise Parkes
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