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Greek Lessons
- “What to Us and to You?”: Demonic Recognition and Eschatological Grammar in Matthew 8:29
- Whispers of Identity: From Prophets to Pronouns in Mark 8:28
- The Field of Blood: Passive Voice and Temporal Clauses in Matthew 27:8
- Declensions in the Storm: Case Usage in Matthew 8:26
- Testimony on the Road: Aorist Participles and Mission Grammar in Acts 8:25
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Category
Tag Archives: 2 Corinthians 13:7
Better We Seem Unworthy: Subjunctives, Purpose, and Paradox in 2 Corinthians 13:7
Εὔχομαι δὲ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλ’ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν. (2 Corinthians 13:7)
Apostolic Prayer or Apostolic Self-Denial?
This verse captures Paul’s ethical intensity and rhetorical genius. He does not simply express a desire for the Corinthians to avoid evil; he prays for it (εὔχομαι), not for his own vindication, but for their moral excellence—even if it means appearing unapproved himself.
Grammatically, the verse hinges on final clauses introduced by ἵνα, purposefully shaping the logic of Paul’s prayer. Each verb form and clause bears the weight of ethical and theological tension.… Learn Koine Greek
The Optative That Prays: Volition, Irony, and Ethical Grammar in 2 Corinthians 13:7
In εὔχομαι δὲ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλ’ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν (2 Corinthians 13:7), Paul delivers a stunningly paradoxical prayer. Not only is the ethical center of the passage complex — his longing that the Corinthians do good even if it makes him appear disqualified — but the grammar, too, is intricate. The rare optative verb ὦμεν emerges in the final clause, signaling wish, possibility, and rhetorical humility. When Paul employs the optative, he steps into the realm of uncertain volition — a space reserved in Greek for wishes and hypotheticals.… Learn Koine Greek
