I think my explanation wasn't clear enough. I took "the truth that remains in us" to refer to "the instruction (singular abstract noun) from God that remains in us", which includes the laws, teachings, revelations, ... In the writer's views, it is natural for anyone, not just him, who loves the laws and teachings of God, to also love "the chosen lady", and it is not just any type of love (which may be based on many things) but love that is based on truth. What it means for love to be based on truth is explained by the writer later, that it is a very logical thing (now this is going to be slightly interpretive): [1 John 4:21] and this commandment we have from him: that the [one] who loves God is to love also his brother. [1 John 5:2] in this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep his commandments. In the first statement he says that to love his brothers (including the chosen lady) is actually a commandment from God (which is part of "the truth"). In the second statement he says that by loving God and keeping his commandments we love the children of God, which is a natural consequence of the first statement. This is the way the love is "because of the truth".Stephen Carlson wrote:Well, there are three possible verbal forms to pick from in order of proximity, ἐγνωκότες, ἀγαπῶ, and the implied γράφει/γράφω. I don't quite see how it fits better with ἀγαπῶ than with γράφω, however. I can see how giving a reason fits better with writing than with loving, but how would it work with your option: I love you in truth on account of the truth abiding in us? Please explain this further.David Lim wrote:Like Carl, I take "δια την αληθειαν" to modify "αγαπω". If I were to give a reason it would be that it is an adverbial prepositional phrase and must modify a verb form, and the nearest one that fits would be "αγαπω" (not "εγνωκοτες").
Indeed participles can easily take the place of finite verbs in various ways, but I understood you (and I think Carl also) to mean that "εσται" functions as a participle, which is the reverse direction. For that I would like to see some examples if you know of any.Stephen Carlson wrote:The statement about "focus" is confusing, because it is a technical term (where only μεθ' ἡμῶν is in focus, based on fronting: the whole statement is not focus). As for the other issues, there is a certain parallelism between stating that the truth abides within us and then asserting that it will be with us forever. The parallelism of thought, however, is broken by the switch from participle to finite verb form. As you know, participles often do the work of finite verbs.David Lim wrote:I would take it to be a separate statement, with the focus on the whole "μεθ ημων εις τον αιωνα". But I'm curious as to the suggested possibility that "εσται" represents the future participle; are there any examples you know that indicate the existence of such a phenomenon of finite verbs that seem to take the place of participles?
I do take it as adverbial, but I think it remains an indefinite reference. It is possible for an indefinite reference and a definite reference to refer to essentially the same thing because of the context, though in general it is not the case. For example, we can say "God has power.", where "power" is indefinite in the sentence itself. At the same time "the power of God" is definite. In the former, we could argue that the indefinite "power" refers to power in general that others may also have, but it is also true that in such contexts we are usually talking about God's power and not about power in general, so in the end it refers indirectly to the same as the definite reference. In the same way, the indefinite "truth" in "in truth" refers to truth in general, which is why I tried to explain the phrase as "according to what is true" to bring out the indefiniteness. Of course, the context tells us that the writer is not just talking about doing things according to what is true in general, but doing things according to a specific "truth" which appears to refer to "instruction from God". Statistics: Posted by David Lim — January 13th, 2014, 10:14 pmStephen Carlson wrote:This explanation is a little confusing if not contradictory, because it is asserted that the former is indefinite but also that it refers to something identifiable. How can it be both? At any rate, I was thinking about the NET Bible's note on the former:David Lim wrote:I understand "εν αληθεια" similarly as "in truth" ("according to what is true"), while "η αληθεια" here refers to "the truth" ("the commandments/teachings/revelations from God"). The former is indefinite, which is why it is the latter that is described as "remaining in us". Of course, in this context the former implicitly refers to the latter; "it is because of the instruction from God that we keep in our hearts, which is truth, that we love the chosen lady, and not just I but also all the ones who have received this instruction, and this instruction will remain with us for ever."Aside from the confusion over which of the little Johns is addressed to Gaius, they take the phrase ἐν ἀληθείᾳ not be merely adverbial but a reference to orthodoxy. I think you're doing similar but also trying to have the adverbial usage too?The prepositional phrase ἐν ἀληθείᾳ (en alhqeia) in 2 John 1 is similar to 3 John 1, although it is not qualified there as it is here (see 3 John 1). This is not merely the equivalent of an adverb (“truly”), but is a theological statement affirming the orthodoxy of Gaius, to whom the letter is addressed. “Truth” is the author’s way of alluding to theological orthodoxy in the face of the challenge by the opponents (see 1 John 3:19).
Upon further reflection, I do think it would be better to understand διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν with the verb γράφει which is implicit in the opening formula with its nominative and dative of sender and addressee respectively. ἡ ἀλήθεια ἡ μένουσα ἐν ἡμῖν -- the Truth which is now under attack from powerful adversaries -- is the reason for the writing of this letter. Statistics: Posted by cwconrad — January 13th, 2014, 5:55 pmStephen Carlson wrote: Thanks for your responses. I appreciate them. Let me follow up a bit.2 John 1-2 wrote:1 Ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν, 2 διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.I was hoping that a good response would not involve reviewing all the instances of ἀλήθεια in the Johannine literature. I think this is tantamount to saying that the narrow context isn't going to be too helpful (which is always a problem with this author). I am a little confused about the statement "that διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is to be understood with the ἀγαπῶμεν . . . and with the implicit γράφω"--do you see it construed with both verbs. I'm not sure what you mean by the "comma between the two verses": is that the comma between verses 1 and 2 or the one I pointed between ἐν ἡμῖν and καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν?cwconrad wrote: It might do well here to review all the instances of ἀλήθεια in the Johannine literature (i.e. the gospel and the three letters), and especially where it's used with the article. My thinking is that διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is to be understood with the ἀγαπῶμεν implicitly understood with οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν and with the implicit γράφω: this ἀλήθεια is the reason for the composition and transmission of this letter.. For my part, I don't think there should be a comma between the two verses.
Thanks for your responses. I appreciate them. Let me follow up a bit.
2 John 1-2 wrote: 1 Ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν, 2 διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
I was hoping that a good response would not involve reviewing all the instances of ἀλήθεια in the Johannine literature. I think this is tantamount to saying that the narrow context isn't going to be too helpful (which is always a problem with this author). I am a little confused about the statement "that διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is to be understood with the ἀγαπῶμεν . . . and with the implicit γράφω"--do you see it construed with both verbs. I'm not sure what you mean by the "comma between the two verses": is that the comma between verses 1 and 2 or the one I pointed between ἐν ἡμῖν and καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν?cwconrad wrote: It might do well here to review all the instances of ἀλήθεια in the Johannine literature (i.e. the gospel and the three letters), and especially where it's used with the article. My thinking is that διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is to be understood with the ἀγαπῶμεν implicitly understood with οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν and with the implicit γράφω: this ἀλήθεια is the reason for the composition and transmission of this letter.. For my part, I don't think there should be a comma between the two verses.
Well, there are three possible verbal forms to pick from in order of proximity, ἐγνωκότες, ἀγαπῶ, and the implied γράφει/γράφω. I don't quite see how it fits better with ἀγαπῶ than with γράφω, however. I can see how giving a reason fits better with writing than with loving, but how would it work with your option: I love you in truth on account of the truth abiding in us? Please explain this further.David Lim wrote: Like Carl, I take "δια την αληθειαν" to modify "αγαπω". If I were to give a reason it would be that it is an adverbial prepositional phrase and must modify a verb form, and the nearest one that fits would be "αγαπω" (not "εγνωκοτες").
The statement about "focus" is confusing, because it is a technical term (where only μεθ' ἡμῶν is in focus, based on fronting: the whole statement is not focus). As for the other issues, there is a certain parallelism between stating that the truth abides within us and then asserting that it will be with us forever. The parallelism of thought, however, is broken by the switch from participle to finite verb form. As you know, participles often do the work of finite verbs.David Lim wrote: I would take it to be a separate statement, with the focus on the whole "μεθ ημων εις τον αιωνα". But I'm curious as to the suggested possibility that "εσται" represents the future participle; are there any examples you know that indicate the existence of such a phenomenon of finite verbs that seem to take the place of participles?
This explanation is a little confusing if not contradictory, because it is asserted that the former is indefinite but also that it refers to something identifiable. How can it be both? At any rate, I was thinking about the NET Bible's note on the former:David Lim wrote: I understand "εν αληθεια" similarly as "in truth" ("according to what is true"), while "η αληθεια" here refers to "the truth" ("the commandments/teachings/revelations from God"). The former is indefinite, which is why it is the latter that is described as "remaining in us". Of course, in this context the former implicitly refers to the latter; "it is because of the instruction from God that we keep in our hearts, which is truth, that we love the chosen lady, and not just I but also all the ones who have received this instruction, and this instruction will remain with us for ever."
Aside from the confusion over which of the little Johns is addressed to Gaius, they take the phrase ἐν ἀληθείᾳ not be merely adverbial but a reference to orthodoxy. I think you're doing similar but also trying to have the adverbial usage too? Statistics: Posted by Stephen Carlson — January 13th, 2014, 4:37 pmThe prepositional phrase ἐν ἀληθείᾳ (en alhqeia) in 2 John 1 is similar to 3 John 1, although it is not qualified there as it is here (see 3 John 1). This is not merely the equivalent of an adverb (“truly”), but is a theological statement affirming the orthodoxy of Gaius, to whom the letter is addressed. “Truth” is the author’s way of alluding to theological orthodoxy in the face of the challenge by the opponents (see 1 John 3:19).
Like Carl, I take "δια την αληθειαν" to modify "αγαπω". If I were to give a reason it would be that it is an adverbial prepositional phrase and must modify a verb form, and the nearest one that fits would be "αγαπω" (not "εγνωκοτες").Stephen Carlson wrote:I'm wondering how διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is supposed to fit in with the context. It seems like it is just hanging out there. Doesn't it look back across the relative clause to the verbless clause that begins the epistle? (Presumably, something like γράφει) could be supplied.)2 John 1-2 wrote:1 Ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν, 2 διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
I would take it to be a separate statement, with the focus on the whole "μεθ ημων εις τον αιωνα". But I'm curious as to the suggested possibility that "εσται" represents the future participle; are there any examples you know that indicate the existence of such a phenomenon of finite verbs that seem to take the place of participles?Stephen Carlson wrote: What then with the following clause with ἔσται? It is as if the finite verb is continuing the idea of the participle μένουσαν. (The punctuation above follows the SBLGNT, but the NA28 doesn't even have the separating comma.) What could be the reason for the lack of syntactic parallelism? The demise of the future participle? The desire to emphasize μεθ' ἡμῶν?
I understand "εν αληθεια" similarly as "in truth" ("according to what is true"), while "η αληθεια" here refers to "the truth" ("the commandments/teachings/revelations from God"). The former is indefinite, which is why it is the latter that is described as "remaining in us". Of course, in this context the former implicitly refers to the latter; "it is because of the instruction from God that we keep in our hearts, which is truth, that we love the chosen lady, and not just I but also all the ones who have received this instruction, and this instruction will remain with us for ever." Statistics: Posted by David Lim — January 12th, 2014, 10:16 pmStephen Carlson wrote: This is also the third time "truth" ἀλήθεια is mentioned. My initial impression was that ἐν ἀληθείᾳ was merely an adverbial phrase "in truth" where the notion of truth is somewhat generic, but the following instances seem to be more specific. Could the first instance too be specific?
It might do well here to review all the instances of ἀλήθεια in the Johannine literature (i.e. the gospel and the three letters), and especially where it's used with the article. My thinking is that διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is to be understood with the ἀγαπῶμεν implicitly understood with οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν and with the implicit γράφω: this ἀλήθεια is the reason for the composition and transmission of this letter.. For my part, I don't think there should be a comma between the two verses. Statistics: Posted by cwconrad — January 12th, 2014, 6:08 pmStephen Carlson wrote:I'm wondering how διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is supposed to fit in with the context. It seems like it is just hanging out there. Doesn't it look back across the relative clause to the verbless clause that begins the epistle? (Presumably, something like γράφει) could be supplied.) What then with the following clause with ἔσται? It is as if the finite verb is continuing the idea of the participle μένουσαν. (The punctuation above follows the SBLGNT, but the NA28 doesn't even have the separating comma.) What could be the reason for the lack of syntactic parallelism? The demise of the future participle? The desire to emphasize μεθ' ἡμῶν? This is also the third time "truth" ἀλήθεια is mentioned. My initial impression was that ἐν ἀληθείᾳ was merely an adverbial phrase "in truth" where the notion of truth is somewhat generic, but the following instances seem to be more specific. Could the first instance too be specific?2 John 1-2 wrote:1 Ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν, 2 διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
I'm wondering how διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν is supposed to fit in with the context. It seems like it is just hanging out there. Doesn't it look back across the relative clause to the verbless clause that begins the epistle? (Presumably, something like γράφει) could be supplied.) What then with the following clause with ἔσται? It is as if the finite verb is continuing the idea of the participle μένουσαν. (The punctuation above follows the SBLGNT, but the NA28 doesn't even have the separating comma.) What could be the reason for the lack of syntactic parallelism? The demise of the future participle? The desire to emphasize μεθ' ἡμῶν? This is also the third time "truth" ἀλήθεια is mentioned. My initial impression was that ἐν ἀληθείᾳ was merely an adverbial phrase "in truth" where the notion of truth is somewhat generic, but the following instances seem to be more specific. Could the first instance too be specific? Statistics: Posted by Stephen Carlson — January 12th, 2014, 3:53 pm2 John 1-2 wrote: 1 Ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, οὓς ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν, 2 διὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν τὴν μένουσαν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἔσται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.