John 5:44

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Exegetical Analysis of John 5:44: The Syntactic Function of μόνου

This exegetical study of John 5:44 concerning the syntactic function of μόνου is based on an online b-greek discussion forum. The initial inquiry revolves around the translation of John 5:44, specifically the phrase “και θν δοχαν θν παρα του μονου θεου ου ζητειτε” (kai tēn doxan tēn para tou monou theou ou zēteite), which is commonly rendered as “…and seek not the honour that comes from God alone?”.

The main exegetical issue at stake is whether the genitive adjective μόνου (monou) should be interpreted adjectivally, modifying θεοῦ (theou) to mean “from the only God,” or adverbially, modifying the entire phrase “from God” to mean “only from God.” This distinction has significant implications for how the text portrays divine honor and the nature of the God from whom it originates. The discussion highlights a tension between scholarly grammatical analysis, as presented by N. Turner in Moulton’s “Grammar of New Testament Greek,” and prevailing tendencies in modern Bible translations.

Greek text (Nestle 1904):
καὶ τὴν δόξαν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ οὐ ζητεῖτε.

Note: The Greek text provided in the prompt contained the ligature “θν” where “την” (τὴν) is standard. The Nestle 1904 text above reflects the correct and standard Greek for this verse.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• For John 5:44, the SBLGNT (2010) text, καὶ τὴν δόξαν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ οὐ ζητεῖτε, is identical to the Nestle 1904 text presented above. Therefore, there are no key textual differences between these two editions for this particular verse.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)

The critical Greek text of the New Testament (NA28) for John 5:44, καὶ τὴν δόξαν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ οὐ ζητεῖτε, exhibits no significant textual variants that would alter the interpretation of μόνου. The manuscript tradition is remarkably consistent here, affirming the reading as presented.

Lexically, the term μόνος (monos) is a common adjective in the New Testament, typically meaning “alone,” “only,” “single.” BDAG (μόνος, Lexicon, 658) defines it primarily as “pertaining to being the only one of its kind or class, only, sole, unique.” It can be used substantivally or adjectivally. The specific construction with the article τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ (tou monou Theou) often emphasizes the uniqueness or singularity of God, as seen in passages like Romans 16:27 (“the only wise God”).

KITTEL (TDNT, Vol. 4, 848-849) highlights that μόνος can indeed function adverbially in certain contexts, even when in an adjectival form, especially in Hellenistic Greek. This is the crux of the debate in John 5:44. The discussion points to N. Turner’s argument in Moulton’s “Grammar of New Testament Greek,” Vol. III-Syntax (pp. 225-226), suggesting that in John 5:44, μόνου is “best taken adverbially; not from him who alone is God, but only from God.” Turner justifies this by noting that Jewish monotheism was unimpeachable, implying that Jesus’s concern was not the singularity of God but rather the source and purity of the honor sought by his audience. He cites Luke 5:21 as a parallel for an adverbial use of μόνος. The observation that this would be the “only such use in Scripture” if taken adverbially here, as mentioned in the original discussion, underscores the uniqueness and interpretive challenge of this specific construction.

The preposition παρά (para) with the genitive typically indicates origin or source (“from”). Thus, παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ (para tou monou Theou) literally means “from the only God” or “from God alone.” The Old Latin evidence cited by Wieland Willker’s Textual Commentary, stemming from Zahn, further illustrates the ancient interpretive fluidity, showing translations ranging from “from him who is God alone” (r1) to “from God alone” (e g1mg f l) and “from the only God” (a d c). This historical variability indicates that the syntactic function of μόνου has been a point of interpretive deliberation for centuries.

Translation Variants

The grammatical and rhetorical analysis of John 5:44 hinges on whether μόνου acts as an adjective modifying God or an adverb modifying the source of honor. If μόνου is taken adjectivally, it emphasizes God’s unique identity as the only God. If taken adverbially, it emphasizes that honor should come exclusively from God, regardless of the inherent understanding of God’s oneness.

Turner’s argument for an adverbial reading (τακεν αδβερβιαλλυ – taken adverbially) is based on contextual considerations. Jesus’s audience, being Jewish, would not have questioned the monotheistic premise of God’s uniqueness. Therefore, Jesus’s critique, according to this view, is aimed at their misplaced desire for human praise over divine approval. The word order, παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ, with μόνου preceding Θεοῦ, typically supports an adjectival reading (“the only God”). However, Greek syntax is flexible, and adverbial nuances can sometimes emerge even from adjectival forms. The phrase structure τὴν δόξαν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ (tēn doxan tēn para tou monou Theou) with the repeated article (τὴν) emphasizes “the glory that is from God.” The position of μόνου within this prepositional phrase determines its immediate referent. Rhetorically, an adjectival reading accentuates God’s singular authority, while an adverbial reading highlights the singular origin of true honor.

The Old Latin translations reveal a similar grammatical and rhetorical struggle. “From him who is God alone” (a solo deo qui est) clearly takes μόνου adjectivally, defining God’s nature. “From God alone” (a deo solo) suggests an adverbial function, emphasizing the exclusivity of the source. “From the only God” (ab unico deo) is a clear adjectival rendering. The variety underscores the ambiguity and the impact of the translator’s exegetical choice on the theological nuance conveyed to the reader.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

While the word order of παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ in John 5:44 naturally suggests an adjectival reading of μόνου, modifying Θεοῦ (“the only God”), the contextual argument for an adverbial interpretation presented by N. Turner merits serious consideration. Given that the immediate context of Jesus’s discourse concerns the pursuit of human honor versus honor from God, an adverbial nuance that emphasizes the sole source of legitimate honor is compelling. However, the uniqueness of such an adverbial application of μόνος in this specific form within the New Testament cautions against a definitive departure from the more direct adjectival interpretation.

Here are three possible translations, reflecting the nuanced interpretations:

1. “and you do not seek the glory that comes from the only God.”
   This translation prioritizes the adjectival reading, emphasizing God’s unique and singular nature as the source of true glory.
2. “and you do not seek the glory that comes only from God.”
   This translation adopts the adverbial reading, highlighting the exclusive divine origin of true glory, rather than human praise.
3. “and you do not seek the glory that comes from God, the only one.”
   This rendering attempts to bridge both interpretations by maintaining God’s singularity while also implicitly suggesting an exclusive source of honor.

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