A practical suggestion, Jonathon. One way to control Greek syntax, as time
goes on, is to review things systematically--as you consult your grammar to
solve syntactical problems.
For example, you might want to recall the many different ways of expressing
purpose in the NT when you meet that articular infinitive in the genitive
case:
1. infinitive after verbs such as ERCOMAI or PEMPW.
2. future participle [rare in the NT]
3. final [telic, purpose] clause introduced by hINA, hOPWS, or hWS
4. PROS TO + infinitive
5. EIS TO + ionfinitive
6. TOU + infinitive
Carl gave you a good linguistic explanation of no. 6. That is good to
remember, as is the fact that the infinitive is actually a verbal noun.
If you are puzzled by an adverbial participle, then it pays to review the
[eight or more] ways in which that adverbial participles function. Do the
same with cases, conditional and temporal clauses, etc. as you meet them
and your ability to translate Greek will increase exponentially.
[Incidentally, Bill Mounce's "cheat sheet" is a good way to nail some of
these in your mind--provided you recongize the significance of the
grammatical terminology.]
A number of intermediate grammars are very h elpful for this. My own
favorite is an old one: H.P.V Nunn, A SHORT SYHNTAX OF NEW TESTAMENT GREEK.
(Cambridge UniversitypPress, oft reprinted). But almost any intermediate
grammar will do.
If yo follow this out consistently, you will soon have basic syntax at your
mind's edge and will save yourself many hours of puzzlement.
Peace, Ed Krentz
Edgar Krentz, New Testament
ekrentz@lstc.edu OR HOME: emkrentz@mcs.com
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 East 55th Street
CHICAGO IL 60615
TEL.: 773-256-0752 FAX: 773-256-0782