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WordExplain by James T. Bartsch Koine Greek Grammar and Lexicography |
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"The are, perhaps, a great many kinds of
languages in the world, and no kind
is without meaning." If then I do not know the meaning of the language,
I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks
will be a barbarian to me." 1
Corinthians 14:10-11
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The Optative Verb Mood in NT (Koine) Greek
The mood or mode of expression in Koine Greek in which the speaker
utters a wish or hope or choice. This glossary entry is heavily
indebted to the article by James L. Boyer, "The Classifications of Optatives: A Statistical Study." This article first appeared in the 1 Grace Theological Journal,
pp. 129-140. According to Boyer, "The optative mood is relatively rare
in the NT and follows usage patterns of classical Greek. Though most NT
occurrences are volitive, some are clearly potential; the oblique
optative, however, does not occur in the NT. Careful analysis suggests
that the optative implies a less distinct anticipation than the subjunctive, but not less probable." (p. 129)
Boyer describes several different functional classifications (p. 130): The Optative of Wish (Volitive) "The name
optative (from the Latin optari = to wish) points to one major use of
the mood, to express a wish or a choice. It accounts for the majority
of NT optatives (39 out of 68, or 57%)" (p. 130). (1) One of the best-known uses of the Volitive Optative is the phrase, "mè génoito" ("May it never be!") or, more periphrastically, ("God forbid!"). This phrase occurs 15 times, all but one used by Paul. It occurs in Luke 20:16; Rom. 3:4, 6, 31; 6:2, 15; 7:7, 13; 9:14; 11:1, 11; 1 Cor. 6:15; Gal. 2:17; 3:21; 6:14 (p. 130). (2)
The Volitive occurs also in Formal Benedictions (p. 131). This appears,
for example, in Paul's prayer for Christians in Rome (Rom. 15:5). (3)
The Volitive appears also in Non-Formal Blessings (p. 132). Examples
include Acts 26:29; 2 Tim. 1:16, 18; 1 Thess. 3:11; Jude 1:9. (4) The
Volitive appears also as a Simple Request (p. 132). These wishes are
not addressed specifically to God, but to Divine providence (2 Tim.
4:16; Phlm 1:20). (5) The
Volitive Optative sometimes appears as an Imprecation, the calling
forth of and adverse wish, or curse (p. 132). Examples include Mark
11:4 and Acts 8:20. (6) A final use of the Volitive Optative appears as a Permission (p. 132). The sole example is Mary's reply to the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:38). The Potential Optative (p. 133) "The term "potential" is used in grammar to describe action which is
dependent on circumstances or conditions, that which would or might
happen if
circumstances are right or if conditions are met." (1) The potential
optative is used in questions, whether they be direct questions or
indirect questions. 13 out of the 15 "mè génoito" occurrences (see above) serve as answers to rhetorical questions. 20 of the 29 potential optatives in the NT, moreover, appear within questions. (a)
Direct questions. (p. 134). Two examples are Acts 8:31 and Acts 17:18.
(b) Indirect questions. (p. 134). There are 17 examples, all but one in
the writings of Luke. Boyer has listed seven categories: i. "What does
it mean? (Luke 1:29; 8:9; 15:26; 18:36; Acts 10:17)."
ii. "Which of many? (Luke 1:62; 6:11; 9:46; 22:23)." iii. "Yes or No?
(Luke 3:15; Acts 17:11)." iv. "Who are you? / Who is he? (John 13:24;
Acts 21:33)." v. "What will come of this? (Acts 5:24)." vi. "Are you
willing? (Acts 25:20)." vii. "Shall we try? (Acts 17:27 twice)." (2)
The potential optative is used in protases (p. 135), the
first part of an "if ... then" statement. However, "There is no
complete example in the NT ... which used the potential optative in
both the protasis and the apodosis." Examples of usage in the protasis
include 1 Pet. 3:14, 17 (verb understood); Acts 24:19 (different form);
Acts 20:16; 27:39; 1 Cor. 14:10; 15:37 (totally absent). The Oblique Optative (p. 136) "... The almost total absence of this construction in the NT may in part reflect that in the NT, direct discourse is preferred over indirect ...." Boyer completes this section, (p. 137) "Therefore it may be concluded that there are really no oblique optatives to be found in the NT." Boyer goes on
to discuss "Degrees of Potentiality" (p. 137) and "Alternative Ways of
Expressing a Wish" (p. 139). He gives his "Conclusion" (p. 140), but
these topics are not germane to our discussion here. 1 Grace Theological Journal 9.1 (1988) 129-140. [Copyright © 1988 Grace Theological Seminary; cited with permission; digitally prepared for use at Gordon College] Posted May 4, 2024
Updated May 5, 2024 |
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