Elementary New Testament Greek, 2014a

meek (ones); the merciful (ones)]. The rst word (the adjective “blessed”) in each
of these verses stands in predicate position: [the poor (ones) are blessed; the meek
(ones) are blessed; the merciful (ones) are blessed]. You can see from the layout of
the Interlinear that there is no verb in the Greek for “is.” The English “is” has been
“supplied” from the predicate position of the adjective “blessed.” [Is it possible to
argue that the supplied verb should be set into the future tense? See the future tenses
in the rest of the Beatitudes!] Even though most English translations follow the
Greek word order [Blessed are the…], be sure you understand that “blessed” is not
the subject, but the predicate adjective.
3) In the Interlinear, nd in 5:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (and beyond) the English
adjective “blessed.” You will notice that this expression is the NIV’s
translation of the Greek adjective μ. On the fourth line beneath
it you see its wordlist code: 3421. Go back to Appendix B, and note the
“dictionary form” there provided. Then look up exactly this dictionary
form in BDAG.
a) What two denitions are offered in BDAG? Read carefully the
explanations provided.
b) What possible alternative translation does BDAG offer for
Matthew 5:3 and following?
position), the door is open for one to conclude that not all scripture is inspired, though
all that is inspired is characterized as useful. [In other words, the second option leaves
the door open for a category uninspired scripture.] How does Wallace argue that the
rst option is more likely grammatically? First Option
Every scripture is inspired and protable…
inspired
scripture
every
is
and
protable
Second Option
Every inspired scripture is also protable…
scripture is protable
every
inspired
4) Go in Wallace’s Intermediate Grammar The Basics of NT Syntax to pages
129-139 [Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, pages 291–314]. The table
of contents on p. 129 [291] gives a view of the many technical matters
that can be involved in dealing exhaustively with adjectives. Simply
leaf through these pages for now. There is no need to understand what
you see. If you have a chance at a later point in your academic studies to
venture into Advanced Greek, you will be exploring (among other things)
the subtle but important insights that come when the Greek adjective is
mastered.
On p. 139 [313], see the paragraph treating II Tim 3:16. Notice the following English
layout of the two options being discussed. Notice that in the absence of articles
(which serve as clear signposts when present), it is not perfectly clear whether the
adjective “inspired” is to be seen as in attributive or (along with “protable”) as in
predicate position. When you think about it, an important difference between the two
ways of reading emerges. In the rst option below (predicate position), the claim is
actually made that all scripture is inspired. In the second option below (attributive
5: Adjectives, The Verb “to Be” and Nouns of the 1st Declension
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