In 1 John 3:20-21, heart (KARDIA καρδία) is used with condemn (KATAGINWSKW καταγινώσκω) twice. Many commentators interpret it as something like “conscience,” it is reasonable as a heart that could condemn is very similar to conscience. However, there’s another word in Greek for conscience, and in no lexicon does KARDIA mean conscience. Is there any similar usage of KARDIA (i.e. used with a verb similar to KATAGINWSKW) in other Greek literatures that I could compare with?
Many thanks,
John Lee
There are many different words for many different things whether they be physical or more abstract things. Different uses are evident in writings by different persons and in different situations. Simply due to the fact that a, perhaps more explicit, term is used in one context by one author doesn’t mean that such is the only term to be used. Such is the basis of poetic language. If you note in BDAG it lists καρδία KARDIA as the center of “physical, spiritual and mental life.” Or, take a look at Lk 24.32 where καρδία certainly cannot be understood as a physical organ. αὶ εἶπαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους· οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν [ἐν ἡμῖν]ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς;
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:b-greek@lists.ibiblio.org”>b-greek@lists.ibiblio.org Sent: Thu, April 28, 2011 7:53:07 AM
In 1 John 3:20-21, heart (KARDIA καρδία) is used with condemn (KATAGINWSKW καταγινώσκω) twice. Many commentators interpret it as something like “conscience,” it is reasonable as a heart that could condemn is very similar to conscience. However, there’s another word in Greek for conscience, and in no lexicon does KARDIA mean conscience. Is there any similar usage of KARDIA (i.e. used with a verb similar to KATAGINWSKW) in other Greek literatures that I could compare with?
Many thanks,
John Lee
There are many different words for many different things whether they be physical or more abstract things. Different uses are evident in writings by different persons and in different situations. Simply due to the fact that a, perhaps more explicit, term is used in one context by one author doesn’t mean that such is the only term to be used. Such is the basis of poetic language. If you note in BDAG it lists καρδία KARDIA as the center of “physical, spiritual and mental life.” Or, take a look at Lk 24.32 where καρδία certainly cannot be understood as a physical organ. αὶ εἶπαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους· οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν [ἐν ἡμῖν]ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς;
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:b-greek@lists.ibiblio.org”>b-greek@lists.ibiblio.org Sent: Thu, April 28, 2011 7:53:07 AM
In 1 John 3:20-21, heart (KARDIA καρδία) is used with condemn (KATAGINWSKW καταγινώσκω) twice. Many commentators interpret it as something like “conscience,” it is reasonable as a heart that could condemn is very similar to conscience. However, there’s another word in Greek for conscience, and in no lexicon does KARDIA mean conscience. Is there any similar usage of KARDIA (i.e. used with a verb similar to KATAGINWSKW) in other Greek literatures that I could compare with?
Many thanks,
John Lee