In the past we have discussed punctuation problems (here on James 4:5). Yesterday evening I was reading Chrys Caragounis on Romans 5:15-16 and he came up with a simple and quite brilliant suggestion for which he needed only 6 pages including footnotes (brevity being a sign of strength). He suggest reading the phrases
αλλ ουχ ως το παραπτωμα, ουτως και το χαρισμα (v15)
and
και ουχ ως δι ενος αμαρτησαντος το δωρημα (v16)
as rhetorical questions expecting a resounding Yes!
The translation of v15 would be something like 'But is it not as the trespass, so also the gift?' Or 'The gifts is as the trespass, isn't it?' Or, in Caragounis' words 'But does not the free gift operate just like the trespass did?'
This results in a great flow and explains how Paul can use the concluding αρα ουν in verse 18. Taken in this way, the basic mode of the whole passage remains that of comparison. And the only thing we have to change in our Greek edition is the punctuation.
(Chrys C. Caragounis, "Romans 5.15-16 in the Context of 5.12-21: Contrast or Comparison?" NTS 31 [1985], 142-48)
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I'll have to see if Dr. Caragounis discusses this in his big book (in which he discusses several different renderings of Biblical passages). I don't see it discussed on his Website.
ReplyDeleteHis big book does not discuss the passage beyond providing a foonote reference to the NTS article.
ReplyDeleteIn the same vein, Romans 8:33-34 should be puctuated to read:
ReplyDeleteWho will bring a charge against God's elect--God, who justifies?
Who condemns--Christ, who died? No, in fact he was raised and is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
This fits these 2 verses into the rhetorical pattern of 8:31-37.