Οὐ θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν πάντες ὑπὸ τὴν νεφέλην ἦσαν, καὶ πάντες διὰ τῆς θαλάσσης διῆλθον, (1 Corinthians 10:1)
Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
Οὐ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν: Volition Meets Information
The main clause opens with Οὐ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, a construction frequently used by Paul to emphasize the importance of what follows. The verb θέλω (“I want”) is present active indicative, first person singular, expressing volition. The verb ἀγνοεῖν (“to be unaware, to not know”) is a present active infinitive, functioning as the complement of θέλω. The object of the infinitive is ὑμᾶς (“you” plural, accusative), forming a common Koine structure: “I do not want you to be ignorant.” This entire clause serves as a rhetorical signal, often introducing vital teaching or correction.
ἀδελφοί: Vocative Appeal
The word ἀδελφοί (“brothers”) is in the vocative plural masculine, directly addressing the Corinthians. While grammatically optional, it is theologically significant: Paul does not speak as an authority scolding a crowd, but as a sibling addressing family. The vocative softens the rebuke and frames the instruction as familial concern. Its position, wedged between two clauses, gives it emphasis and tenderness.
ὅτι οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν…: Introducing the Sacred Past
The conjunction ὅτι introduces the content clause of what Paul wants them to know: namely, a theological reminder rooted in Israel’s history. The phrase οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν (“our fathers”) is in the nominative plural masculine and functions as the subject of the verbs that follow. The possessive pronoun ἡμῶν (“our”) is genitive plural, modifying πατέρες. This phrase collapses time — the Jewish ancestors are claimed by Paul and his largely Gentile audience as shared spiritual heritage. This subtle inclusion by syntax is theologically profound: the Corinthians, too, are part of Israel’s story.
πάντες ὑπὸ τὴν νεφέλην ἦσαν: Preposition and Emphasis
In πάντες ὑπὸ τὴν νεφέλην ἦσαν (“all were under the cloud”), πάντες is a nominative plural adjective meaning “all,” used for emphasis. The preposition ὑπὸ takes the accusative τὴν νεφέλην (“the cloud”), forming a prepositional phrase of location or protection. The verb ἦσαν (“they were”) is the imperfect indicative active, third person plural of εἰμί, expressing a continuous past state. The imperfect here underscores that they remained under the cloud — not just momentarily, but throughout the journey. This prepositional construction reflects divine presence and guidance.
καὶ πάντες διὰ τῆς θαλάσσης διῆλθον: Aorist of Deliverance
This parallel clause repeats πάντες (“all”) and uses the prepositional phrase διὰ τῆς θαλάσσης (“through the sea”) with the verb διῆλθον (“they passed through”). The preposition διά with the genitive indicates movement through something — not just by or alongside. The verb διῆλθον is aorist active indicative, third person plural, conveying a punctiliar action: a decisive, completed moment of passage. Paul’s use of the aorist contrasts with the previous imperfect ἦσαν, juxtaposing sustained presence (under the cloud) with a definitive act of deliverance (through the sea).
Stylistic Parallelism: πάντες…πάντες
Paul’s repetition of πάντες (“all”) is not accidental. It is a rhetorical and grammatical strategy to emphasize unity and totality. Both clauses — “all were under the cloud” and “all passed through the sea” — reinforce that no one was excluded from these foundational acts of divine guidance and salvation. The parallel syntax creates rhythm, balance, and emphasis, tying together two images of divine oversight: presence above (cloud) and path through (sea).
Morphological Summary
| Word | Form | Parsing | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| θέλω | Verb | Present Active Indicative, 1st Singular | Main verb (“I want”) |
| ἀγνοεῖν | Verb | Present Active Infinitive | Complement of θέλω |
| ὑμᾶς | Pronoun | Accusative Plural | Subject of infinitive |
| πάντες | Adjective | Nominative Plural Masculine | Emphatic subject |
| ἦσαν | Verb | Imperfect Active Indicative, 3rd Plural | State of being |
| διῆλθον | Verb | Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Plural | Completed action (crossing) |
The Grammar of Remembrance
Paul’s use of Greek grammar here is not simply informative — it’s evocative. Through precise verbal aspect, rhetorical repetition, and careful case usage, he reawakens Israel’s sacred memory and folds the Corinthian believers into that story. The imperfect ἦσαν and the aorist διῆλθον work together to capture divine presence and saving action. The vocabulary is drawn from Exodus, but the grammar brings it to life again. This isn’t just history — it’s identity, and Paul builds that identity word by word, clause by clause, in sacred Greek.
