Re: John 6:29

From: David A Bielby (dbielby@juno.com)
Date: Sun Oct 10 1999 - 22:22:53 EDT


Thanks for the reply. What do you think then of translating this as an
infinitive (NIV does this)? What are the grounds for that approach?

On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 20:52:37 -0500 "Joe A. Friberg"
<JoeFriberg@email.msn.com> writes:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: David A Bielby <dbielby@juno.com>
> Sent: Sunday, October 10, 1999 3:29 PM
>
>
> > Jn 6:29b
> > hINA PISTEUHTE EIS hON APESTEILEN EKEINOS
> >
> > I'm translating the conjunction and the Present Active Subjunctive
> > functionally as 'to believe'. My questions are: Is there not a
> continuous
> > sense in this phrase...and if so, how can we bring that out
> without being
> > awkward in the translation?? Doesn't it seem that the english
> tends to
> > lose that continuous state connotation? How can we adjust for
> that?
>
> I would agree that this phrase is not *purpose*, but the definition
> of TO
> ERGON TOU QEOU.
>
> As to the translation:
>
> "that you believe" is the plain vanilla version; the construction
> ('that'-phrase) carries with it a bit of the subjunctive idea, and
> the pres.
> tns. 'believe' carries some of the continuative idea. This transl.
> also
> allows for the inceptive notion, which is lacking in phrases like
> 'continue
> to believe. Is this phrase too light on the continuative idea??
> Believe
> itself generally carries a continuative character; if we mean a
> one-time
> believe which is very short lived, we have to specify that.
>
> Nevertheless, consider this alternative:
> "that you have faith"
> This might be stronger on the continuative notion, but should
> probably be
> rejected because it is less active (believe is nominalized).
>
> >
> > Could it be translated "to always believe" or something like this?
>
> Assumes too much--presses the continuative aspect too far. I think
> the
> continuation as a principle/mode of one's life is the intent, but
> this would
> not be negated by momentary lapses (as might be implied by "always
> blieve").
>
> God Bless!
>
> Joe A. Friberg
> Arlington, Texas
> JoeFriberg@alumni.utexas.net
> MA Linguistics
> MA Theology candidate
>
>
>
>

David Bielby
Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Bloomington/Normal, Illinois USA
dbielby@juno.com www.bloomington.vineyard.org
Phone: 309-827-8292

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