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Gal. 4:13 and the canon of Apollonius Dyscolus

Posted: July 3rd, 2015, 9:00 am
by Gregory Hartzler-Miller
οἴδατε δὲ ὅτι δι’ ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν τὸ πρότερον, καὶ τὸν πειρασμὸν ὑμῶν ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου·
Gal. 4:13

The canon of Apollonius Dyscolus states that, "usually when a noun is modified by another noun in the genitive case, both nouns will have the article prefixed to them or neither will have the article." http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/b-gr ... 055383.html

The phrase δι’ ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς in Galatians violates that canon. By contrast, the parallel phrase in Romans 6:19 does not violate the canon: ἀνθρώπινον λέγω διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν.

Troy Martin (Whose Flesh? JSNT, 1999) says that there is a possible explanation for this difference in N. Turner, 'Syntax', in J.G. Moulton, A grammar of New Testament Greek, III (1963) p. 180, but frustratingly, he does not share any explanation. I do not have access to this text. Nor do I have an explanation for the difference.

Would anyone like to comment on this problem? Is there any difference in meaning between these two parallel texts specifically related to following the canon or not?

Re: Gal. 4:13 and the canon of Apolonins Dyscolus

Posted: July 3rd, 2015, 2:14 pm
by Eeli Kaikkonen
I'm not going to write the whole section "Absence of Article before a noun which governs a genitive" here. It's also difficult to decide what part is most relevant. But it says:
But the canon must be modified to this extent, that the governing noun may be anarthrous while while the governed is articular [...] ; this through Heb. influence.
Turner is famous for using semitism as explanation for NT grammar/syntax. Mostly he hasn't been followed, so the explanation may not be correct, although the notion is.

Re: Gal. 4:13 and the canon of Apolonins Dyscolus

Posted: July 3rd, 2015, 7:44 pm
by Gregory Hartzler-Miller
Thanks Eeli!