Re: I Timothy 3:2, DIDAKTIKON

From: Mr. Gary S. Dykes (yhwh3in1@lightspeed.net)
Date: Fri Apr 07 2000 - 04:02:37 EDT


Dear (Mr.) Holmyard III,

I appreciate your comment. I view the list of adjectives in I Timothy 3:2
as attributive, not in the predicate. I see the infinitive ("to be") as the
subject, with "necessary" as the primary verb. Room for other diagramming
methods exist, so I am not trying to be final or dogmatic here.

The ending of DIDAKTIKON/J identifies it as an adjective which is
expressing a "characteristic" or "tendency" (per David A. Black). A
reflexive notion is supplied by the nature of the active infinitive EINAI,
"to be". The adjectives supply descriptive qualities to what one must be
(not so much "do"). They modify the infinitive.

In English the adjectival ending -able, signifies ability, an adjective.
Thus the traditional translation as "able to teach" is acceptable, yet I
posit that "teachable", could be accepatable here as well.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit meant both meanings here, for certainly we find
that with "husband of one wife" -- as:

(1) not remarried

(2) one wife at a time -- OR

(3) must be married

(4) married only once

Take your pick.

Concerning DIDAKTIKOJ, the TLG-e CD, shows 49 occurrences, far more than
Liddel- Scott, many are post-Classical. But each needs to be investigated
before dogmatic conclusions can be reached. I searched for the accusative
and nominative forms only, surely more exist in the other cases!

Theologically, a leader who does not grow, or who is not teachable (by the
Holy Spirit, or others) is like a stagnant pond.

Both "able to teach" and "teachable" are fine in my book. Yet more research
is needed. Thus, I view the traditional view and most dictionaries here
with caution.

Mr. Gary S. Dykes
Swanson's Errata List -- http://userzweb.lightspeed.net/yhwh3in1/

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