[B-Greek] Musings over John 1:16
Iver Larsen
iver_larsen at sil.org
Wed Apr 15 09:20:14 EDT 2009
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donald COBB" <docobb at orange.fr>
To: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: 15. april 2009 08:41
Subject: [B-Greek] Musings over John 1:16
> Hello folks,
>
> I've been looking over the Prologue to John's Gospel over the last few days, and keep coming up
> against the hOTI that opens v. 16 :
>
> hOTI EK TOU PLHRWMATOS AUTOU hHMEIS PANTES ELABOMEN KAI CARIN ANTI CARITOS
>
> The usual meaning of hΟΤΙ would be "for / because". The textual variant (replacing hOTI with KAI)
> shows that the construction is difficult, and several commentators suggest looking at v. 15 as an
> intrusive secondary addition, observing that v. 16 flows much more naturally from v. 14. From the
> point of view of vocabulary and progression of thought, the point is well taken. It seems to me,
> however, that even if we connect v. 16 directly to v. 14, keeping the meaning as "because", the
> logical connection still remains problematical.
>
> BDAG, under 5,c, gives "so that (as a result)" as a possible function of hOTI, referring to Jn
> 7:35 as an example:
>
> POU hOUTOS MELLEI POREUESQAI hOTI hMEIS OUC hEURHSOMEN AUTON; "...so that we will not find him?"
>
> That seems like an interesting option for 1:16, with the result that v. 16 then opens up a new
> thought, building on v. 15 (or directly on v. 14 or even the two verses together, thus, e.g.,
> Ridderbos). The difficulty, as I see it, is that the only examples given use hHOTI to open an
> apodosis. My question, then, is twofold: firstly, can hOTI bear this meaning at the beginning of a
> new clause, and not merely in an apodosis? Secondly, does anyone have examples of such a usage
> elsewhere in Koine Greek, inside or outide the NT?
>
> Any other suggestions for translation? Thanks in advance for your input.
> Donald Cobb
BAGD lists John 1:16 under
"3b: The subordination is oft. so loose that the transl. for recommends itself (Bl-D. §456, 1; Rob.
962f)."
I would agree with the commentators who take v. 15 as a parenthesis and then connect v. 16 to v. 14:
καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρός, πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας
ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς πάντες ἐλάβομεν
KAI EQEASAMEQA THN DOXAN AUTOU, DOXAN hWS MONOGENOUS PARA PATROS, PLHRHS CARITOS KAI ALHQEIAS,
hOTI EK TOU PLHRWMATOS AUTOU hHMEIS PANTES ELABOMEN
The thought might then be that because (hOTI) we have received some of that "fullness", then we have
been able to perceive the greatness of his glory, so full of grace and truth.
For QEAOMAI, BAGD says:
"2. see, behold w. physical eyes, but in such a way that a supernatural impression is gained ... J
1:32 (he sees the dove and also becomes aware that it is the Spirit); EQEASAMEQA THN DOXAN AUTOU
1:14 (we saw the person and work of Christ and perceived in them the divine glory..."
One has to first receive some of the glory/grace/truth of Christ to fully perceive it.
Iver Larsen
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