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An Exegetical Examination of the Conditional Clause in 2 Corinthians 13:5
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Examination of the Conditional Clause in 2 Corinthians 13:5 is based on a b-greek discussion from an unspecified recent date. The initial observation from this discussion highlights a perceived disparity between common English translations of 2 Corinthians 13:5 and the grammatical structure of the original Greek text. Standard English renditions frequently render the passage with an implied purpose, such as “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith,” introducing a phrase (“to see”) not explicitly present in the Greek.
The central exegetical issue under consideration revolves around the interpretation of the conditional clause, specifically εἰ ἔστε ἐν τῇ πίστει, and its grammatical relationship to the preceding imperative ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε. The inquiry posits whether the construction represents a first-class condition with an inverted protasis-apodosis structure, and critically, whether the English interpolation “to see” accurately reflects the Greek syntax or introduces an unwarranted interpretive nuance that potentially alters the intended meaning of Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians.
Ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἔστε ἐν τῇ πίστει (Nestle 1904 – Segment from 2 Corinthians 13:5)
- Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): For this specific segment of 2 Corinthians 13:5, there are no textual differences between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT (2010) critical text.
Textual criticism (NA28) and Lexical notes (KITTEL, BDAG): The text under examination, Ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἔστε ἐν τῇ πίστει, is remarkably stable across major critical editions, including NA28, showing no significant variants for this particular phrase. Lexically, πειράζετε (from πειράζω, an imperative verb) denotes “to test, examine, try.” BDAG defines πειράζω as “to put to the test, try,” often with the aim of discovering the true nature or character of something, in this context, self-examination. The particle εἰ functions as a conditional conjunction, typically translated “if.” When followed by the indicative mood, as with ἔστε (the second person plural present active indicative of εἰμί, “to be”), it forms a first-class condition, which presents the protasis (the “if” clause) as assumed true for the sake of argument, without necessarily asserting its factual truth. The phrase ἐν τῇ πίστει, meaning “in the faith,” uses πίστις (faith, trust, belief) and the preposition ἐν to describe the sphere or state of being within the Christian faith or adherence to its tenets.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
Grammatically, the verse presents an imperative command, ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε (“test yourselves”), followed by a conditional clause, εἰ ἔστε ἐν τῇ πίστει (“if you are in the faith”). This structure constitutes a first-class condition (εἰ + indicative), which in Greek often assumes the truth of the protasis for the sake of argument, implying “if indeed you are (as I assume you are).” A notable feature is the inverted order of the clauses; typically, the protasis precedes the apodosis. Inverting the order places immediate emphasis on the imperative command, compelling the audience to act first, with the condition then clarifying the scope or context of that action.
Rhetorically, the omission of an explicit purpose infinitive (e.g., τοῦ ἰδεῖν, “to see”) before the εἰ clause is significant. Common English translations that include “to see if” introduce a telic (purpose) nuance that, while perhaps implied by the act of “testing,” is not directly expressed by the Greek syntax. The εἰ clause functions more as a direct condition *on* the command to test, or as the *content* of the testing itself. Paul is not merely suggesting they test themselves *in order to find out* if they are in the faith, but rather, *since* or *assuming that* they are in the faith, they should conduct this self-examination concerning that very state. This construction thus serves to underscore the responsibility of the believers to confirm their adherence to the faith, challenging them to live up to the assumed reality of their spiritual status.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis reveals that the conditional clause in 2 Corinthians 13:5, functioning as a first-class condition with an inverted word order, directly relates the act of self-examination to the presumed state of being “in the faith.” The common English interpolation “to see” introduces a telic meaning not explicitly found in the Greek text, potentially softening the directness of the conditional statement.
- Test yourselves if you are in the faith.
- If you are in the faith, then test yourselves.
- Examine yourselves concerning your standing in the faith.
This rendition prioritizes a literal translation of the conditional particle εἰ and maintains the inverted clause order of the Greek, directly linking the condition to the command without an added explicit purpose.
This translation reorders the protasis and apodosis to a more conventional English conditional structure, emphasizing that the command to test oneself is contingent upon or related to the assumption of being in the faith, while carefully avoiding the interpolation of “to see.”
This interpretation seeks to capture the implicit aim of the self-examination without using the problematic phrase “to see.” It understands the εἰ clause as indicating the *object* or *sphere* of the testing, focusing on one’s position “in the faith,” thereby conveying a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the passage.
I think it is significant that the verb here is πειράζω PEIRAZW “to test.” When combined with a clause beginning with εἰ EI it signifies that which one is seeking to discover — in this case εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει EI ESTE EN THi PISTEI which might be Englished as “whether you are in the faith.” As regards “to see”, this may not be in the actual text but, as that which one is seeking to discover, it is rather implicit since one tests in order to discover a result.
george gfsomsel
… search for truth, hear truth, learn truth, love truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, defend the truth till death.
– Jan Hus _________
________________________________ href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected] Sent: Fri, May 6, 2011 3:59:05 PM
Greetings,
2 Corinthians 13:5:
Εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει EAUTOUS PEIRAZETE EI ESTE EN TH PISTEI
Every translation I have access to online since my Bible Works has been down, translates this passage with something to the effect of “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.” It seems to me that in this passage, you have a condition of the first class with the apodosis placed before the protasis. And the words “to see” are nowhere in the text. Might this be better translated simply as “If you are in the faith, then test yourselves?”
Thanks.
Robert Campanaro Coatesville, PA
Dear Robert,
εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει Looking at this as a first class condition with the apodosis being placed before the protasis, then we could certainly get the sense (as you put it): “If you are in the faith, then test yourselves.” If so, then in order for someone to test or examine himself he would first need to be in the faith. That is, being in the faith now becomes a condition for examining oneself. Looking at it this way, however, we run into two other issues: (a) ascertaining that this is the sense Paul intends to convey here, and (b) finding Paul’s reasoning for such a condition. (a) It would be difficult to wedge such a condition into Paul’s train of thought. Here Paul challenges the Corinthians, who seek proof that Jesus is speaking in him (v3), to see that his preaching to them was divinely authorized, hence, they now need to examine themselves (1 Cor. 11:28 δοκιμαζετω δε ανθρωπος εαυτον) to ascertain that they are in the faith—the test being whether or not they have received Paul’s preaching as being divinely authorized. (b) As for a reason for such a condition, we see none. Context and trend of thought signal that in v5 Paul admonishes the Corinthians to examine themselves (to see) if they were in the faith. Best regards, Philemon Zachariou
________________________________ href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected] Sent: Friday, May 6, 2011 3:59 PM
Greetings,
2 Corinthians 13:5:
Εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει EAUTOUS PEIRAZETE EI ESTE EN TH PISTEI
Every translation I have access to online since my Bible Works has been down, translates this passage with something to the effect of “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.” It seems to me that in this passage, you have a condition of the first class with the apodosis placed before the protasis. And the words “to see” are nowhere in the text. Might this be better translated simply as “If you are in the faith, then test yourselves?”
Thanks.
Robert Campanaro Coatesville, PA
I think it is significant that the verb here is πειράζω PEIRAZW “to test.” When combined with a clause beginning with εἰ EI it signifies that which one is seeking to discover — in this case εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει EI ESTE EN THi PISTEI which might be Englished as “whether you are in the faith.” As regards “to see”, this may not be in the actual text but, as that which one is seeking to discover, it is rather implicit since one tests in order to discover a result.
george gfsomsel
… search for truth, hear truth, learn truth, love truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, defend the truth till death.
– Jan Hus _________
________________________________ href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected] Sent: Fri, May 6, 2011 3:59:05 PM
Greetings,
2 Corinthians 13:5:
Εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει EAUTOUS PEIRAZETE EI ESTE EN TH PISTEI
Every translation I have access to online since my Bible Works has been down, translates this passage with something to the effect of “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.” It seems to me that in this passage, you have a condition of the first class with the apodosis placed before the protasis. And the words “to see” are nowhere in the text. Might this be better translated simply as “If you are in the faith, then test yourselves?”
Thanks.
Robert Campanaro Coatesville, PA
Dear Robert,
εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει Looking at this as a first class condition with the apodosis being placed before the protasis, then we could certainly get the sense (as you put it): “If you are in the faith, then test yourselves.” If so, then in order for someone to test or examine himself he would first need to be in the faith. That is, being in the faith now becomes a condition for examining oneself. Looking at it this way, however, we run into two other issues: (a) ascertaining that this is the sense Paul intends to convey here, and (b) finding Paul’s reasoning for such a condition. (a) It would be difficult to wedge such a condition into Paul’s train of thought. Here Paul challenges the Corinthians, who seek proof that Jesus is speaking in him (v3), to see that his preaching to them was divinely authorized, hence, they now need to examine themselves (1 Cor. 11:28 δοκιμαζετω δε ανθρωπος εαυτον) to ascertain that they are in the faith—the test being whether or not they have received Paul’s preaching as being divinely authorized. (b) As for a reason for such a condition, we see none. Context and trend of thought signal that in v5 Paul admonishes the Corinthians to examine themselves (to see) if they were in the faith. Best regards, Philemon Zachariou
________________________________ href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected] Sent: Friday, May 6, 2011 3:59 PM
Greetings,
2 Corinthians 13:5:
Εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει EAUTOUS PEIRAZETE EI ESTE EN TH PISTEI
Every translation I have access to online since my Bible Works has been down, translates this passage with something to the effect of “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.” It seems to me that in this passage, you have a condition of the first class with the apodosis placed before the protasis. And the words “to see” are nowhere in the text. Might this be better translated simply as “If you are in the faith, then test yourselves?”
Thanks.
Robert Campanaro Coatesville, PA