An Exegetical Analysis of the Definitive Participial Construction in Galatians 1:7 and Jude 4
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of the Definitive Participial Construction in Galatians 1:7 and Jude 4 is based on a b-greek discussion from June 13th, 2014. The initial query concerned the most literal translation of Galatians 1:7, presenting three options for the phrase ὅ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλο εἰ μὴ τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς: (1) “which is not another, except some are the one disturbing you,” (2) “which is not another, except there are some the one disturbing you,” and (3) “which is not another, except there are some who disturb you.” The various translations highlight an underlying grammatical ambiguity regarding the function of the article with the present participle in relation to the indefinite pronoun.
The main exegetical issue revolves around the precise grammatical and semantic relationship between the indefinite pronoun τινές (“some”) and the subsequent definite participial clause οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς (“the ones disturbing you”) in Galatians 1:7. Specifically, the discussion explores whether the definite participial phrase functions as an apposition to the indefinite pronoun, a restrictive modifier, or a reduced form of a relative clause. A significant viewpoint introduced suggests that the Greek article, especially with participles, can function as a reduced form of the relative pronoun, implying that such constructions often occupy the same syntactic slots as relative clauses, albeit with subtle differences in meaning related to ideational and interpersonal metafunctions. This perspective challenges the perceived awkwardness of a definite expression standing in apposition to an indefinite one, as seen in the broader scholarly debate on the classification and interpretation of substantival participles.
ὅ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλο εἰ μὴ τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς (Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- No significant differences are observed between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT (2010) for Galatians 1:7. The text is identical.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
The textual tradition for Galatians 1:7 is remarkably stable, with the phrasing ὅ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλο εἰ μὴ τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς attested consistently across major manuscripts. The Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28) presents the same reading as Nestle 1904, indicating no significant textual variants that impact the grammatical structure or the lexical items under discussion for this particular verse. This stability allows the exegetical focus to remain on grammatical interpretation rather than textual reconstruction.
Lexically, several terms warrant attention:
- τινές: According to BDAG (3rd ed., p. 1007), τις (of which τινές is the masculine/feminine plural nominative form) functions as an indefinite pronoun, meaning “someone, something, a certain one, anyone, anything.” In Galatians 1:7, it refers to “some people” without specifying their identity, thus introducing an indefinite element into the clause.
- ταράσσοντες: This is the masculine plural nominative present active participle of ταράσσω. BDAG (p. 988) defines ταράσσω as “to cause to be in a state of confusion, stir up, trouble, disturb.” The present participle indicates continuous or habitual action. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (KITTEL, vol. VIII, p. 121-122) further elaborates on ταράσσω as signifying an agitation of the mind or emotions, often with negative implications of causing distress or leading astray, which is highly relevant in the context of the Galatian controversy.
- οἱ + participle: The definite article preceding a participle, as in οἱ ταράσσοντες, forms a substantival participle, effectively making the participle function as a noun. BDAG (p. 696, s.v. ὁ, II.2.a) notes that the article can be used to convert any word or phrase into a substantive, including participles, often rendered as “the one(s) who…” or “those who…” The crucial point for this verse, as highlighted in the discussion, is the potential for this construction to be understood as functionally equivalent to a relative clause, such as “those who are disturbing.” The work by Peters et al. (2007) posits that the article functions as a “reduced form of the relative pronoun,” emphasizing its role in identification and its ability to occupy the same syntactic slot as a relative clause, even if differing in ideational and interpersonal metafunctions. This theoretical framework provides a strong basis for interpreting οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς as a descriptive or identifying element for τινές.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The initial post presented three potential translations for Galatians 1:7, which centered on the clause τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς (“some are the ones disturbing you”):
- “which is not another, except some are the one disturbing you.”
- “which is not another, except there are some the one disturbing you.”
- “which is not another, except there are some who disturb you.”
Variants (1) and (2) attempt a more literal rendering, preserving the participial structure (“the one disturbing you”). However, the English construction “some are the one disturbing you” or “there are some the one disturbing you” feels grammatically awkward. This awkwardness arises from the attempt to directly apply a definite article + participle construction to an indefinite subject without the natural English correlative. Grammatically, οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς is a substantival participle functioning as a predicate nominative or in apposition to τινές.
The core issue, as discussed, is how a definite expression (οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς, “the ones disturbing you”) can be in apposition to or qualify an indefinite expression (τινές, “some”). The suggestion from Peters et al. that the article functions as a reduced relative pronoun offers a compelling resolution. If οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς is understood functionally as “those who are disturbing you,” the grammatical tension is relieved, and the phrase becomes a natural qualifier for the indefinite τινές. This aligns with variant (3), “there are some who disturb you,” which employs a relative clause to convey the meaning, representing a common and grammatically fluid English translation of the Greek article + participle construction.
The discussion further introduced Jude 4 as a potential parallel: παρεισέδυσαν γάρ τινες ἄνθρωποι, οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα (“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation”). Here, οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι (“the ones long ago written about”) clearly stands in apposition to τινες ἄνθρωποι (“certain persons”). While this demonstrates that a definite participial expression can indeed follow an indefinite noun, it was argued that the function in Galatians 1:7 might be different. In Jude 4, the definite participial clause seems to provide additional descriptive information about the already introduced “certain persons.” In Galatians 1:7, however, the phrase οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς appears to *limit* or *define* which “some” are being referred to, rather than merely adding information. It specifies that the “other gospel” is not actually another, but rather a manipulation by *these specific* “some” who are actively causing disturbance. This implies a restrictive rather than a merely descriptive function for the participial clause.
Rhetorically, the choice to use the article + participle rather than a full relative clause (e.g., *οἵτινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς*) could be seen as a more concise and direct way to identify the disturbers. It makes an immediate connection between the indefinite “some” and their definitive, troubling actions, thus heightening the sense of urgency and direct accusation without the slight syntactic pause a full relative clause might introduce.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis of Galatians 1:7, particularly the construction τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς, reveals a sophisticated use of the Greek article with a present participle. While a definite participial phrase can indeed function in apposition to an indefinite noun, the contextual and functional considerations in Galatians 1:7 suggest that οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς serves to restrict or precisely identify the “some” who are causing trouble, rather than merely providing additional, non-essential information. The perspective that the article functions as a reduced form of a relative pronoun offers a valuable framework for understanding why translations often naturally render such constructions with a relative clause. This approach effectively bridges the perceived gap between the definite nature of the article + participle and its relationship to an indefinite antecedent.
Based on this exegetical and grammatical analysis, the following translation suggestions are offered, aiming to capture different nuances:
- Which is not another; rather, there are some—specifically those who are disturbing you.
This translation emphasizes the restrictive and identifying nature of the participial clause, clarifying which “some” are in view. - Which is no other thing, but there are certain ones who are troubling you.
This rendering utilizes a common English relative clause to naturally convey the meaning of the article + participle, aligning with the functional equivalence discussed. - Which is not another gospel, but rather there are those disturbing you.
This option provides a more concise translation, treating “those disturbing you” as a direct and definitive identification of the “some,” suitable for a dynamic equivalent translation.