1 Jn 5:16, hAMARTANONTA hAMARTIAN

Paul S. Dixon (dixonps@juno.com)
Sat, 20 Sep 1997 02:37:47 EDT

In this verse of luscious exegetical nuggets comes this intriguing
phrase, hAMARTANONTA hAMARTIAN (1 Jn 5:16). It is translated,
"committing a sin" (NASV), " committing ... sin" (RSV), "sin a sin"
(KJV), and "commit a sin" (NIV).

I remembered something like this doubling in 2 Tim 4:7,
TON KALON AGWNA HGWNISMAI, "I have agonized the good agony."

My question is two-fold: does anybody recall other such "doublings" in
scripture, and secondly, is there any particular meaning to this? Is it
merely a duplication for emphasis? What bearing, if any, does Classical
Greek have?

Thanks.

Paul DIxon