An Exegetical Study of the Conditional Clause in Acts 17:27
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Study of the Conditional Clause in Acts 17:27 is based on a b-greek discussion from Wed Sep 4 19:42:00 EDT 2002. The initial inquiry concerns the nature of the conditional clause found in Acts 17:27, specifically highlighting the presence of the optative mood in the protasis and the apparent absence of a corresponding apodosis.
The main exegetical issue revolves around accurately classifying the grammatical structure and semantic function of the clause `εἰ ἄρα γε ψηλαφήσειαν αὐτὸν καὶ εὕροιεν` within Paul’s Areopagus discourse. Scholars debate whether this represents a “fourth-class condition” (future less probable), an expression of purpose or desire, or perhaps even an adversative construction, especially given the lack of an explicit apodosis. Understanding this clause is crucial for interpreting Paul’s message regarding humanity’s potential to discover God and the implications for divine immanence.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
ζητεῖν τὸν θεόν, εἰ ἄρα γε ψηλαφήσειαν αὐτὸν καὶ εὕροιεν, καίτοιγε οὐ μακρὰν ἀπὸ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου ἡμῶν ὑπάρχοντα.
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- There are no significant textual differences in the Greek wording of Acts 17:27 between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 concerning the conditional clause itself. The text is remarkably stable in this verse.
Textual Criticism (NA28): The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28), which represents the current critical text of the Greek New Testament, does not record any significant variants for Acts 17:27 that would alter the meaning or grammatical structure of the conditional clause `εἰ ἄρα γε ψηλαφήσειαν αὐτὸν καὶ εὕροιεν`. The reading found in Nestle 1904 is consistent with the generally accepted critical text tradition.
Lexical Notes:
- ζητεῖν (present infinitive of `ζητέω`): To seek, search for, look for. BDAG defines `ζητέω` as “to endeavor to find by searching, to seek.” KITTEL (TDNT) notes that `ζητέω` can refer to the earnest seeking after God, often implying a persistent effort. In this context, it describes humanity’s inherent drive or potential to search for the divine.
- εἰ ἄρα γε (conjunction + particles): This combination introduces a hypothetical condition with an element of doubt or uncertainty. `Εἰ` is the conditional conjunction “if”; `ἄρα` is a particle expressing a logical inference or expectation, often translated “so then,” but here indicating possibility; `γε` is an intensive particle, emphasizing the preceding word, often “at least” or “indeed.” Combined, `εἰ ἄρα γε` conveys a sense of “if perhaps,” “on the chance that,” or “if by any means,” highlighting the contingent and perhaps unlikely nature of the outcome.
- ψηλαφήσειαν (aorist optative, 3rd plural of `ψηλαφάω`): To feel, touch, grope for. BDAG provides “to feel, touch, grope for, try to find by feeling.” This verb suggests a difficult, perhaps even blind, search, implying that the discovery of God is not immediately obvious but requires an earnest, tactile effort, as if feeling in the dark. The optative mood further enhances the sense of possibility or contingency.
- εὕροιεν (aorist optative, 3rd plural of `εὑρίσκω`): To find, discover. BDAG: “to find, discover, ascertain.” This verb denotes the successful outcome of the search (`ζητεῖν`) and the groping (`ψηλαφάω`). Its coordination with `ψηλαφήσειαν` implies that the groping is directly aimed at finding.
Translation Variants
The conditional clause in Acts 17:27 presents a significant interpretive challenge due to its incomplete structure. Grammatically, the construction `εἰ` + optative (`ψηλαφήσειαν`, `εὕροιεν`) typically forms the protasis of a “future less probable” or “fourth-class” condition in classical Greek, where the apodosis would be an optative with `ἄν`. However, as noted in scholarly discussions (e.g., Wallace, *Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics*), complete fourth-class conditions are rare or absent in the New Testament. In Acts 17:27, the apodosis is conspicuously absent, leading to several possible grammatical and rhetorical interpretations:
- Incomplete Fourth-Class Condition: This view posits an implied apodosis. The protasis `εἰ ἄρα γε ψηλαφήσειαν αὐτὸν καὶ εὕροιεν` (`if perhaps they might grope for him and find him`) stands alone, with the consequences of such an eventuality left unstated but understood. The rhetorical effect is to emphasize the *possibility* of the search and discovery, without explicitly stating what would follow. The discussion highlights the “less probable future” aspect, suggesting a potential but not guaranteed outcome.
- Clause of Purpose or Desire (Final Clause): This interpretation suggests that the `εἰ` + optative clause functions more like a final clause, expressing the *purpose* or *desire* behind the action of `ζητεῖν τὸν θεόν` (to seek God). Here, `εἰ ἄρα γε` would mean “in the hope that,” “on the chance that,” or “to see if perhaps.” This aligns with Smyth’s analysis of `εἰ` or `ἐάν` setting forth the motive for an action, particularly after secondary tenses (implied by the historical context of creation in vv. 26-27), with a reference to the future. This reading emphasizes Paul’s assertion that God made humanity with the *intent* that they might seek and find Him. The rhetorical force is one of divine design and human potential.
- Indirect Question Expressing Uncertain Expectation: As suggested by Zerwick (*Biblical Greek Illustrated by Example*), `εἰ` can function as an interrogative particle in an indirect question, particularly one expressing an “uncertain expectation associated with an effort to attain something.” While Zerwick notes this is usually followed by subjunctive or future indicative in the NT (with Acts 17:27 being a rare optative instance), this interpretation would frame the clause as “to see *if* they might grope for him and find him.” This nuance stresses the uncertainty of the outcome of the human search.
- Adversative Conjunction: One contributor suggested interpreting `εἰ` not as conditional but as adversative (“but”). This interpretation is less commonly accepted in standard Greek grammars for `εἰ` in this construction, especially with the optative. The argument was partly based on a Latin Vulgate translation (`*si forte*`) which might carry a different nuance, but this does not directly reflect the Greek grammatical function. This view faces challenges in reconciling `εἰ` + optative with an adversative meaning in the original Greek context.
The rhetorical analysis must consider Paul’s audience in Athens. He is appealing to their inherent human experience and philosophical inclination, suggesting that God, though transcendent, is not utterly unknowable. The conditional clause, regardless of its precise grammatical classification, highlights the human responsibility and potential to engage in the search for God, while simultaneously acknowledging the difficulty or uncertainty (`ψηλαφήσειαν`) of that endeavor, and implying divine accessibility (`οὐ μακρὰν ἀπὸ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου ἡμῶν ὑπάρχοντα`). The absence of an apodosis might be a rhetorical device to invite the audience to consider the implications for themselves.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the grammatical analysis and scholarly discussion, the most robust interpretations for Acts 17:27’s conditional clause lean towards it functioning either as an incomplete “future less probable” condition or as a clause expressing purpose/desire. Both capture the sense of potentiality and the contingent nature of humanity’s seeking and finding God. The lexical choices of `ψηλαφήσειαν` (groping) and `εὕροιεν` (finding) strongly underscore the effort and the potential success of the search. The overarching context of Paul’s speech points to a divine design for humanity to seek and discover their Creator.
- “…to seek God, if perhaps they might grope for him and find him…”
This translation emphasizes the inherent possibility, though not certainty, of the search and discovery, maintaining the “future less probable” nuance of the optative. - “…to seek God, in the hope that they would grope for him and find him…”
This rendering highlights the clause as expressing the divine purpose or intention behind humanity’s existence and their ability to seek God. - “…to seek God, trying to feel their way toward him and find him…”
This dynamic equivalent focuses on the active endeavor and the potential for discovery, reflecting the effort implied by `ψηλαφήσειαν` and the objective of `εὕροιεν`, without explicitly stating a condition or purpose, but implying both.