[B-Greek] Philippians 1:14
Jennifer & Bruce McKinnon
jennifer.bruce at telus.net
Sat Aug 1 19:31:46 EDT 2009
I've been pondering PEPOIQOTAS and how verse 14 should be translated. Unless I'm badly mistaken (a real possibility), it is a second perfect participle of PEIQW and this second perfect is usually translated as an active verb such as "trust" [in], "have confidence" [in], etc. On this interpretation, the second perfect usage for this verb has not changed in the NT from its typical meaning in the LXX and in classical Greek. This is the meaning referred to in BDAG and in Moule's Cambridge Greek Testament commentary. Several other commentaries, however, are silent about (or ignore) the fact that the participle is a second perfect (e.g., Sumney at p. 20) O'Brien writes at p. 95 of his commentary:
"If the verb PEIQW is given its original meaning of 'convince', 'persuade', and the full force of the perfect tense is pressed, then it describes a conviction that began in the past and has continuing effects. It is thus distinguished from the main verb TOLMAN ('dare'; a present tense): already convinced they now continue to dare."
On this point, O'Brien's footnote 47 refers to the commentary by Collange, to which I have no access. (On page 94, he does, however, translate the phrase as "And most of the believers have more confidence in the Lord through my imprisonment...".)
In addition, several English translations treat this participle as if it has the normal force of a perfect (e.g., RSV). I've wondered whether I'm making a distinction without a difference but receive comfort from the traditional differentiation reflected in BDAG and by the implicit importance O'Brien gives to the question whether this second perfect participle of PEIQW should be given "the full force of the perfect tense".
If one translates the participle as being equivalent to a present active participle, a possible translation might be: "Most of the brethren trusting in the Lord are bolder, because of my imprisonment, to speak the Word without fear" -- although I've seen no one taking TOIS DESMOIS with TOLMAN rather than with PEPOIQOTAS.
Any thoughts or comments?
Bruce McKinnon
More information about the B-Greek
mailing list