 |  |
references to dry grammar and requires some hard thinking. In order to make the
grammatical problem as clear as possible to the reader not too familiar with Greek
syntax, we give a few specimens of parallel construction and then show the absurdities
which result by translating them, as the Revised Version has translated II Tim. 3: 16.
Romans 7: 12.
He entole
|
| hagia
| kai | dikaia.
The Commandment
| is | holy
| and | just.
I Corinthians 11: 30.
Polloi
|
| astheneis
| kai
| arrhostoi.
Many
| are |
weak
| and
| sickly.
II Timothy 3: 16.
Pasa graphe
|
|
Theopneustos
| kai | ophelimos.
All Scripture
| is | given by inspiration of God | and | is profitable.
Hebrews 4: 13.
Panta de
|
| gumna
| kai | tetrachelismena.
But all things
| are | naked
| and |
opened.
To these could be added five other examples, namely, II Cor. 10: 10; I Tim. 1: 15;
2: 3; 4: 4 and 4: 9, but the above are sufficient. To help the reader, we draw attention
to the fact that in the second column, the verb "is" or "are" being absent from the original
has to be supplied. Kai the conjunction, is sometimes translated "also", as we have found
in the Revised Version of II Tim. 3: 16. If it be permissible to translate pasa graphe
theopneustos kai ophilimos, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable", to apply
the same rule to the four examples given above would make them read: "the
commandment (being) holy is also just", "many (being) weak are also sickly", "all
things (being) naked are also opened". But who does not know that things which are
naked must be also opened to the all-seeing eye of the Lord? Such misapplication of
learning produces error.
Dean Burgon's words are to the point here.
"At a period of prevailing unbelief in the INSPIRATION of Scripture, nothing but real
necessity could warrant the meddling with such a testimony on the subject as is found in
II Tim. 3: 16. We have hitherto been taught to believe that `All Scripture is given by
inspiration of GOD, and is profitable' etc. The ancients* clearly so understood S. Paul's
words: and so do the most learned and thoughtful of the moderns. Pasa graphe, even if
it be grammata of which the Apostle had been speaking in the previous verse; and
therefore must needs signify the whole of Scripture. So that the expression `all Scripture'
expresses S. Paul's meaning exactly, and should not have been disturbed."
[* - The Dean cites Clemens, Tertullian, Origen, Gregory Nyss, Dial (ap. Orig. 1808),
Basil, Chrysostom, Cyril and Theodoret.]