[B-Greek] TRECHO versus DIWKW
Bryant J. Williams III
bjwvmw at com-pair.net
Fri Mar 18 23:28:09 EDT 2011
Dear Billy,
My apologies for the lateness of my reply. Mark L. and Carl Conrad have replied,
but I wanted to look at Colin Brown, NIDNTT, Vol. III, pp. 945-947, "Walk,"
POREUOMAI, TREXW, DROMOS and PRODROMOS;" Vol. II, pp. 803, "Persecution,
Tribulation, Affliction," DIWKW, EKDIWKW, KATADIWKW and DIWGMOS."
First, DIWKW, Vol. II, ppl 805-808. by G. Ebel,
"CL DIWKW is perhaps connected with the Homeric DIEMAI, flee. It means
lit. to chase, pursue, run after, drive away, and fig. to pursue something
zealously, try to achieve something, try to obtain, prosecute."
OT 1. In the LXX DIWKW, along with EKDIWKW and KATADIWKW, is used primarily of
pursuit by hostile soldiers (Exod. 15:9), or by anyone whose intentions are
hostile (Gen. 31:23). It translates a number of Heb. vbs., but chiefly RADAP,
pursue; thoe other vbs. in only isolated instances. This gives rise to the usage
which is characteristic of the Pss. of individual lamentation (e.g. Pss. 7:1,
5[2,6]; 31[30]:15; 35[34]:3; cf. also Jer. 15:15; 20:11), where persecution and
persecutors refer to the circumstances and persons that cuase the psalmist to
suffer, without there necessarily being active persecution in the narrower
specific sense.
2. The OT also contains exhortations to strive for a goal. In normal Gk.
settings it will be the good, the beautiful, or virtue that is to be pursued. In
the LXX it is relationships, e.g. social righteousness (Deut. 16:20; cg. also
Josephus, Ant. 6, 12, 7), peace (Ps. 34[33]:14), and righteousness in the sense
of true honouring of God (Prov. 15:9, that are to be followed. The corresponding
NT usage has its roots here."
NT Summaruy of NT use. (a) The commonest meaning is to persecute, or be
persecuted (some 30 times, especially in the Gospels, Acts, Paul, Rev.). ... (b)
The fig. use is found onluy in the Epistles, always with a positive meaning; the
use in Phil. 3:12, 14 belongs here (cf. also ZHTEW,>Seek, and ZHLOW, Zeal).
2. Pursuit of Christian objectives. The metaphorical meaning of the word
shows more strongly than ZHTEW, seek, that there are certain things which the
Christian must strive after, such as hospitality (Rom. 12:13), mutual peace
(Rom. 14:19; 1 Pet. 3:11; Heb. 12:14), holiness, love (1 Cor. 14:1), doing good
(1 Thess. 5:15), and righteousness (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22). These are lasting
objectives in the life of faith, which has as its goal the attaining of the >
resurrection from th dead. Paul sees the Christian life as ultimately directed
to this goal. He presses on to it like the runner set on winning the victor's
prize (Phil. 3:12ff), although he knows that "it depends not upon man's will or
exertion, but upon God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16; cf. v. 30 f.)."
Second, TREXW, Vol. III, pp. 945-947, by G. Ebel
CL 2. TREXW, attested from Homer (OD. 23, 207; Il. 23, 392 f.) onwards,
means to mover quickly, to run, especially at a contest in the stadium (> Fight,
art. AGWN). Influenced by the philosophical criticism of over-estimation of
purely physical contests, TREXW is also found in statements which express effort
of achievement in respect of mental and spiritual matters.
OT 2. TREXW is atteste some 60 times in the LXX mostly for Heb. RUS, to
run, in the literal sense (e.g. Gen. 18:7: 1 Ki. 18:46). In the figurative sense
it occurs in only a few passages: for the way of life according to the
commandments of God in connexion wit the typical OT concept of way (Ps.
119[118]:32), of "running into lies" (ps. 61:5 LXX) and in the expression
"running away into immortality" (4 Macc. 14:5, in the account of the martyrdom
of the seven brothers).
NT 2. TREXW, to run, is found in the NT in the literal sense, including the
disciples running to the empty tomb (e.g. Matt. 27:48; 28:8; Mk. 5:6; 15:36; Lk.
15:20; 24:12; Jn. 20:2, 4; Acts 19:28). In 2 Thess. 3:1 it is used of the word
of the Lord (cf. Ps. 147[146]:4). It is found in Paul predominately in the
figurative sense. By using the vb., he expresses how the Christian life as a
whole, like his apostolic service, is directed towards a goal (Gal. 2:2; 5:7;
Phil. 2:16) and that, as in contest in the stadium (see CL 2), what matters is
applying all one's strength and holding out to the end (1 Cor. (:24 ff.; cf.
Heb. 12:1). Rom. 9:16, by pointing to the mercy of God - which is the last
resort, is alonge decisive - represents the necessary corrective. It also occurs
in Heb. 12:1 and Rev. 9:9, SYNTREXW, run together, occurs in Mk. 6:33; Acts 3:11
(of people); 1 Pet. 4:4 (fig. of people plunging in to the same stream of
debauchery)." (My note: I wonder if this latter use would be similar to the
lemmings who plunge headlong to their deaths into the sea?).
En Xristwi,
Rev. Bryant J. Williams III
----- Original Message -----
From: "Billy Shaw" <billyspdfs at yahoo.com>
To: "Biblical Greek List" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 2:49 PM
Subject: [B-Greek] TRECHO versus DIWKW
Dear List,
I am studying I Cor. 9:24 and interested that TRECHONTES from TRECHO is the verb
used here and in the other occurence of BRABEION (Phi. 3:14) DIWKW is used.
I've looked at some of the basic resources (Robertson, Louw/Nida, BGAD) but
wanted to hear from the list as to the finer points. I guess what I'm wondering
is - Is the primary difference in the form of sport or in the extent of
exertion?
Humbly yours,
Billy
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