[98 Degrees]

What are the differences between present and aorist subjunctives, and why in I Jn. 2:1 does John use the aorist subjunctive?

98

[Shannon Visser]

Boy Band,

eipen o Machen, legwn: "The distinction between the present and the aorist concerns merely the manner in which the action is regarded. The aorist subjunctive refers to the action without saying anything about its continuance or reptition, while the present subjunctive refers to it as continuing or as being repeated."

If John had written 2:1 using present subjunctives, the idea would be (this of course assumes that John was writing a purpose clause--or was it result? or JNC? or--anyway, let's not go there...): "I am writing these things to you so that you don't continuously sin." I don't think John wanted to say that. Imagine what the recipients of his letter might of thought: "Oh, he doesn't want us to sin continuously. Great, we can sin occasionally!" Thankfully, John avoids the problem with an aorist subjunctive, telling them: "I am yada yada so that you don't sin even once!"

In the following sentence, John says, 'and if anyone sins, then we have an advocate' "Sins" is an aorist subjunctive once again. John did not say "if anyone sins continuously, then we have an advocate." John tells the reader, "if we sin once, then we have an advocate."

Shannon

[Mr. Schwandt]

I assume that you were merely using the "single" aspectual meaning for the aorist stem as an example. So just to remind everyone, the telic aspect has a must greater ranger than mere singularity (cf REB chapter 3 or 4 depending on version).

We must also bear in mind all of the factors that influence aspectual choice.

1) construction (Some combinations of word prefer certain aspects -iJna clauses prefer aorist subjunctives 2:!.)

2) Lexical choice (Some words are atelic or telic by nature, e.g. the word mevnw hardly ever occurs with a telic stem).

3) a marked aspect (If the author violates the previous two reasons for aspectual choice he is probably using the stem to mark a special aspectual meaning.)


#2 would be the reason for the aorist subjunctive in your question.

#3 would explain the present subjunctive in your question.

[S Appel]

Mr. Administrator,

So you are saying that there is a difference between understanding the aorist as a "one-time" action and understanding it as a telic action--yes? Telic is something that is done, and once done is done, as opposed to something that occurs only one time. Therefore, in thinking through whether something is (or ought to be) aorist or present, the issue is more telic/atelic vs. one-time/repeated? In other words, continuous is different than repeated?
_________________
Karl of the Comely Ankles

[Mr. Schwandt]

I am dealing with 2 questions here.

#1 What are the meanings of verbal aspect?, and
#2 When does the spelling of a word bring out a special aspectual meaning?



#1
Yes, there are various types of telic aspects and various types of atelic aspects. (See RBG)


#2
There are generally three reasons which determine aspectual choice. In the first two the aspect just fits with an already present meaning.

a) Lexical meaning of some words are naturally telic or atelic
b) Meaning of some grammatical constructions are telic or atelic by nature

Sometimes a word is written in a certain aspect to bring out an aspectual notion that is contrary to a & b.

c) A certain tense is chosen to bring out an intensional aspectual meaning independant of lexical or syntacial factors.

[Alice]

Did the Greeks know that they were making aspectual distinctions? When did these Grammar questions first pop up? Do we have ancients discussing what aorists meant in Homer?

Alice

[S Appel]

Mr. Administrator,

So to clarify, regarding question #1: it isn't as simple as understanding aorist vs. present as either
a) one-time vs. continuous or
b) telic vs. atelic
is that correct?
_________________
Karl of the Comely Ankles

[Mr. Schwandt]

(a) is correct.

(b) is false.


Telic and altelic categories are as mutually exclusive and exhaustive as the categories, theist - atheist.

Just as there are different varieties of theists there are different varieties of telic meanings.