Aorists in 'performative-type' expressions?

Rod Decker (rdecker@bbc.edu)
Mon, 21 Jul 1997 11:58:17 -0400

I'm curious if there are many aorists used in 'performative-type'
expressions. I would guess that most of these are present forms? (Most of
the examples I see cited are that.)

I think that I would class EIPON in John 3:7 in this way:

MH QAUMASH hOTI _EIPON_ SOI, DEI hUJMAS GENNHQHNAI ANWQEN (Do not marvel
that _I say_ to you, 'You must be born again').

This might be taken as a past reference to the statement recorded earlier
in 3:3, but the form of the statement is different (EAN MH TIS GENNHQH
ANWQEN-third person in contrast to the second person address in v. 7) and
is probably better understood as a reference to what Jesus was speaking at
that moment.

Actually my broader search is for examples of aorist forms that might be
taken as references to 'instaneous' or 'punctiliar' events in present time.
This would not be a usual use or the aorist, but perhaps legitimate in
certain contexts?

These wouldn't have to be performatives per se (I'm speculating that verbs
of speaking would be good candidates, so I started there), but could
include other lexical items.

Any thoughts or examples?

Rod

_________________________________________________________________
Rodney J. Decker Baptist Bible Seminary
Asst. Prof./NT P O Box 800
rdecker@bbc.edu Clarks Summit PA 18411
http://www.bbc.edu/courses/BBS/RDecker/Index.htm USA
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