BACK

The way to God - Appendix 1

Nouns having an Adjectival sense

The passages referred to in Young's note 41 are as follows. The literal translation is given first and then the wording assuming the nouns after the first have an adjectival sense.

(1) Jeremiah 29:11 - Literally "A latter end and hope", translated by JNDarby as "In your latter end a hope". Alternatively "a hopeful latter end".

(2) Luke 21:15 - "A mouth and wisdom". Alternatively "a wise mouth".

(3) John 3:5 - "Born of water and of Spirit". Alternatively "born of spiritual water".

(4) John 14:6 - See main article.

(5) Acts 1:25 - "This service and apostleship". Alternatively "this apostolic service".

(6) Acts 23:6 - "The hope and resurrection of [the] dead". Alternatively "the resurrection hope of the dead".

(7) Colossians 2:8 - "Philosophy and vain deceit". Alternatively "vainly deceitful philosophy".

(8) 2 Timothy 1:10 - Life and incorruptibility". Alternatively "incorruptible life" rather like Hebrews 7:16 "indissoluble life".

(9) 2 Peter 1:3 - "By glory and virtue". Alternatively "virtuous glory". This would be in contrast to vainglory.

It may be asked why does Scripture give a noun if the sense is adjectival ? The reason may be that stringing adjectives together might create something of a mouthful and the importance of the adjectives be lost. Using nouns would indicate that the adjectival meaning is as important as that of the first noun.

It may be noticed that Hebrews does give adjectives in at least two places where nouns are given in similar passages. See main article and the 2 Timothy 1:10 example above.

January 2001

BACK TO INDEX