[B-Greek] Chronology of Ga 2:11-21 (was DOKEIN in Gal 2:6-10)

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Thu Feb 4 22:25:21 EST 2010


There are two discourse matters relevant to this question.

First, the function of DE as you mention. This discourse particle basically 
refers to a shift of some kind. Sometimes, it can indicate a contrast as it does 
in Gal 2:12 between the initial PRO TOU ELQEIN and the later hOTE ELQON. Quite 
often it indicates a shift of speaker.
At other times it simply introduces the shift to a new paragraph or section. 
Levinsohn talks about a "development unit". This is how it functions in 2:11, 
and to translate it with "but" in English is quite misleading. I am not a fan of 
NIV, but at least they got this right in 2:11 by not translating it all all, but 
showing it with indentation for a new paragraph, and indeed a whole new section. 
I don't think it is common to start a new section with "but" in English.

The second is the nature and structure of hortatory discourse. This goes beyond 
the scope of b-Greek, so those who are interested, will need to go to 
http://betterbibles.com/2010/02/05/galatians-as-a-hortatory-text

Iver Larsen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Donald Cobb
To: Iver Larsen
Cc: Carl Conrad ; Mark Lightman ; b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: 3. februar 2010 10:31
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Chronology of Ga 2:11-21 (was DOKEIN in Gal 2:6-10)


Hello Iver,

A few days ago you wrote this:

< A side comment that has nothing to do with Greek, but a lot to do with 
hortatory discourse: There is nothing in the text that suggests that the 
incident in Gal 2:11-21 happened after the events of Gal 2:1-10, but there is 
much that suggest that it happened before. >

Aside from the DE, which can be taken either way, what exactly is there in the 
text of Gal 2:11-21 that would lead the reader to conclude that Paul is writing 
about a situation previous to Ga 2:1-10? I don't want to open a debate on 
B-Greek if the question hinges only on hermeneutical issues (i.e., situating the 
events Pauls speaks of in Galatians in connection with the book of Acts), and if 
that's the case an off-list response would no doubt be more appropriate. But I 
am curious as to how you come to that conclusion. Thanks.

Donald Cobb
Aix-en-Provence, France





More information about the B-Greek mailing list