[B-Greek] John 3:16 "so"

Harold Holmyard hholmyard3 at earthlink.net
Tue Dec 15 21:21:52 EST 2009


David,

I think he would accept any of the translations I gave you. Let me go 
through his terms.
> Harold,
>
> I would suggest breaking the problem down into smaller components. The first controversy regards which way hOUTWS refers, whether it is anaphoric or cataphoric. 

Cataphoric = forward-pointing (pointing to something further on in the 
sentence)

of or relating to cataphora; /especially/ *:* being a word or phrase (as 
a pronoun) that takes its reference from a following word or phrase (as 
/her/ in /before her Jane saw nothing but desert/) — compare anaphoric

Anaphoric = backward-pointing (referring to something earlier in the 
writing)


> The answer to this question will influence the sense you assign it, typically either manner or degree. In reading the literature on this issue, cases are made for both backward- and forward-pointing reference. If it is backward, the antecedent would be the lifting up of the Son of Man as the demonstration of God's love. The forward-pointing alternative would view the hWSTE clause as the referent. 
>
> I played and replayed the scenarios. Forward-pointing hOUTWS references are typically resolved in: 
> 	1.  a quotation (e.g. Mt 2:5 referring to v. 6, or Mt. 6:9); 
> 	2.  a subordinate clause introduced by hOTI (e.g. Mk 4:26, Lk 19:31), hWS (e.g. 1 Cor 4:1; 9:26; Jas 2:12), hINA (e.g. Mt 18:14); 
> 	3.  an infinitive (e.g. Lk 1:25). 
> I have not found another instance where a cataphoric hOUTWS reference is resolved by hWSTE. It might could happen, but John 3:16 would be the lone token in the GNT. 
>   

HH: Right, it would be a lone instance in the GNT where a cataphoric 
hOUTWS reference is resolved by hWSTE, but arguments are given for it 
occurring in other literature.

> According to my analysis in the Discourse GNT, John 21:21 is the only forward-pointing hOUTWS reference in the gospel other than the potential one in 3:16. There it is simply a general reference to the events that follow where Jesus reveals himself to the disciples after the resurrection. On the basis of the broader usage and that within John's gospel, I view the forward-pointing reading of hOUTWS in 3:16 as the harder and less likely one.
>   

HH: Since most references of hOUTWS are backward-looking in John, the 
forward-looking theory for John 3:16 seems less likely.


> The second part regards the sense of hOUTWS. I understand hOUTWS to be a "pro-adverb" (sorry Carl, know you hate the terms). It is an adverb in that it modifies a verb, and it is a pro-form in that it can stand in the place of a concept like a pronoun. In 3:16, you need to choose your concept that it stands in place of, which in both cases would be a manner, not a degree. Thus I do not think that there is merit to the degree reading, the only sound option is manner. There is nothing in the preceding or following context describing a degree, only two manners: lifting up the Son of Man, and giving his only son. 
>
> This is my two cents, though I am sure there will be other opinions.
>   

HH: I have read an argument like this based on the elements of the word 
hOUTWS, which is supposedly based on hOUTOS  ("this") plus WS ("as, 
like"). So this is like something else, the other thing being what 
hOUTWS can substitute for or represent.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard




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