[B-Greek] Construing 1 Peter 3:7 (was "ASQENESTERWi SKEUEI in 1 Peter 3:7")
Michael Aubrey
mga318 at yahoo.com
Mon Jul 27 14:21:29 EDT 2009
> I have a hard time
> seeing the phrase as construed with both verbs because in English
> different prepositions would be involved: "living together as with a
> weaker vessel" versus "showing honor as to a weaker vessel," but perhaps
> that problem would not have existed in Greek
Be careful with this. Red flags should always go up when you're
apprehensiveness with a given interpretation is based on how
English would construe something
Mike Aubrey
________________________________
From: Harold Holmyard <hholmyard3 at earthlink.net>
To: B-Greek <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 11:15:18 AM
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Construing 1 Peter 3:7 (was "ASQENESTERWi SKEUEI in 1 Peter 3:7")
Carl,
>
> Or is the neuter adjectival form chosen because ASQENESTERWi SKEUEI is
> neuter? And if so, then why shouldn't TWi GUNAIKEIWi be understood as
> an attributive adjective? -- as I was originally inclined to suppose?
> Perhaps SKEUEI TWi GUNAIKEIWi is the dative complement to SUNOIKOUNTES
> as well as to APONEMONTES TIMHN, in which case the hWS should be
> construed only with ASQENESTERWi. It does seem to me that KATA GNWSIN
> must be seen in conjunction with hWS ASQENESTERWi SKEUEI:
> "consideration" is appropriate in view of the greater weakness/
> vulnerability involved. In that case, we'd have something like,
> "husbands sharing existence with (their) feminine/wifely vehicle in an
> understanding way (since it is weaker/more-vulnerable), attributing
> worth to (it/them) as co-heirs of the grace of life ... "
>
HH: Thanks for the summary of the discussion. I believe that living
together according to knowledge is the way that one shows honor. The
verbs can work together. The weakness here cannot be bad because it is
God-given. God created woman differently than man for a purpose. I take
TWi GUNAIKEIWi as clarifying what the author means by hWS ASQENESTERWi
SKEUEI: "as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one." The last phrase TWi
GUNAIKEIWi clarifies that he is picturing the man and wife as two
vessels, with the weaker being the feminine one. I have a hard time
seeing the phrase as construed with both verbs because in English
different prepositions would be involved: "living together as with a
weaker vessel" versus "showing honor as to a weaker vessel," but perhaps
that problem would not have existed in Greek. I don't have a problem
with the two instances of hWS possibly construing with a single verb
because they seem to be functioning slightly differently. There is more
of a comparison made with the idea of vessel, but more of a simple
identification with respect to being a fellow-heir of the grace of life.
"Fellow-heir of the grace of life" seems to recall God's original
purpose in creating male and female human beings as the unity of "man"
or "humanity," and so of course it recalls creation of the female as a
complement to the male (Genesis 2).
HH: In looking at numerous Bible versions it is clear that some scholars
have construed hWS ASQENESTERWi SKEUEI with the first verb, and some
with the second verb. I would say that construing it with the second is
more frequent. Examples of construing with the first verb are:
NET 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with
consideration as the weaker partners and show them honor as fellow heirs
of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.
NAS 1 Peter 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an
understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and
grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your
prayers may not be hindered.
CSB 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with
understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as co-heirs
of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
GWN 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in a similar way, live with your wives with
understanding since they are weaker than you are. Honor your wives as
those who share God's life-giving kindness so that nothing will
interfere with your prayers.
HH: However, more lean in the other direction in English, construing the
phrase with the second verb:
BBE 1 Peter 3:7 And you husbands, give thought to your way of life with
your wives, giving honour to the woman who is the feebler vessel, but
who has an equal part in the heritage of the grace of life; so that you
may not be kept from prayer.
DRA 1 Peter 3:7 Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to
knowledge, giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel, and as
to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.
ESV 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an
understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel,
since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers
may not be hindered.
KJV 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to
knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and
as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not
hindered.
NAB 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in
understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are
joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
NIB 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live
with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and
as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will
hinder your prayers.
NIV 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live
with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and
as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will
hinder your prayers.
NJB 1 Peter 3:7 In the same way, husbands must always treat their wives
with consideration in their life together, respecting a woman as one
who, though she may be the weaker partner, is equally an heir to the
generous gift of life. This will prevent anything from coming in the way
of your prayers.
NKJ 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding,
giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs
together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
NRS 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your
wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker
sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life-- so
that nothing may hinder your prayers.
HH: One version may try to construe with both verbs:
NLT 1 Peter 3:7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your
wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may
be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of
new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
Yours,
Harold Holmyard
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