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Re: eph 2:1
> Is there any reason anyone can think of as to why most translations of Eph.
> 2:1 translate the present participle ontas as were instead of being? This
> could be then rendered:
>
> and you being dead-ones by the trespasses and the sins of ye--instrumental--
>
> or
>
> and you being dead-ones with reference to the trespasses and with reference
> to the sins of ye---dative---
>
> Due to the context I would prefer the first choice because down in verse 5
> we have the same thought continued though rectified - and being-ontas-us
> dead-ones by the trespasses He-jointly-made-alive-(us)with the Christ....
>
> I've always wondered about this and perhaps someone could enlighten me.
>
> Any thoughts? Thanks,
>
Well, I would offer the awkwardness of the English as a good reason.
English tends not to use stative verbs in the imperfective
constructions, viz. I know the answer vs. I am knowing the answer.
When the stative verbs do occur in these forms, they tend to have
active readings, e.g. I am an American, vs. I am being an American.
It's hard to imagine an active reading of being dead...
Mari Broman Olsen
Northwestern University
Department of Linguistics
2016 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
molsen@astrid.ling.nwu.edu
molsen@babel.ling.nwu.edu