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NASB | 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] |
Subject: Is sinless perfection possible on earth? |
Bible Note: Hi Tim As with anyone who seeks to establish rules concerning a language I do it on the basis of usage. No language has a list of rules. Any grammar is simply an attempt to explain usage. Later study may change those 'rules', not because the rules have changed but because new examples of usage have been discovered. The 'rules' of ancient languages are thus discovered by comparison of different contexts. Greek does not have an 'historic present' per se. It is something that is surmised on the basis of usage in certain unusual contexts (like the so-called 'prophetic perfect') In this case the context is not unusual. It is not a prophecy where God is speaking with an eternal present, but a man writing about his own experience to his fellow brethren who are not theologians but normal everyday folk. And he wants them to understand him on first reading. If you can provide me with a case of usage in koine Greek in an ordinary context where an historical present occurs completing a passage which is in the first person all the way through and which has begun with the past tense and I will accept that there ia another 'rule'. But the normal rule is that past means past and present means present, if language is to mean anything. I await your attempt with bated breath.(Even Moo could not find one which is why he postulated his own extraordinary theory). The general rule is that past means past and present means present when presented in a contrast. We need very sure evidence before we change it, not simply the desire to support a theory. Perhaps you can supply that evidence? I am using the tenses in the normal way. The proof for any alternative lies with the person putting forward that alternative. It is simply not enough to talk about 'an historic present' as though it could be used anywhere. I do not wish to start citing qualifications but be assured that I use the Greek text, and daily use it for purposes of explaining the meaning of passages, and that I studied koine Greek to a reasonably high level, not just out of interest. Best wishes |