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re: Phil 2.13
Phil 2.13a is an example of an arthrous participle (ho energwn) used as a
substantive in the position of a predicate noun, discussed at some length
by McGaughy. He points out that the predicate participle identifies the
subject and, since the two are of equal rank, may be interchanged with
the latter depending on the form of the wh- question presupposed by the
sentence. When functioning as a predicate nominative, the substantival
participle is always determined by the article. McGaughy also states that
of all sentences in the NT with the present tense of einai and a word
group headed by a participle (as we have in this case) as the predicate
nominative, they revealed that the latter followed the former (einai) in
40 out of 41 cases. Other examples of sentences with arthrous participles
serving as predicate nominatives and following the verb are Jn 8.18 and
Mk 13.11. Following McGaughy it seems clear that theos is the subject and
the arthrous participle as the substantive predicate. When reading 13b it
also seems to make for clearer reading and is perhaps the reason why most
translations favor it.
Regards,
Chuck Arnold
Upper Marlboro, MD