Freethought & Rationalism Archive

stephan huller · 06-01-2012, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Evarestus succeeded Clement, and Alexander succeeded Evarestus. Then Xystus, the sixth from the apostles, was appointed. After him Telesphorus, who suffered martyrdom gloriously, then Hyginus, then Pius, and after him Anicetus; Soter succeeded Anicetus, now in twelfth place from the apostles, Eleutherus holds the office of bishop (διαδεξαμενου τον Ανικητον Σωτηρος, νυν δωδεκατω τοπω τον της επισκοπης απο των αποστολων κατεχει κληρον Ελευθερος). In the same order and succession the tradition in the church and the preaching of the truth has descended from the apostles unto us.

I was just looking at the Greek and wondering why the νῦν has to mean 'now' in the sense of a temporal statement as opposed to simply the use of 'now' as the logical result of what precedes. In other words, Irenaeus is just saying that Eleutheros is twelfth because Soter was eleventh.

stephan huller · 06-01-2012, 12:35 AM

I guess its the present tense of κατέχει. Don't know what I was thinking.

Adam · 06-01-2012, 12:38 AM

"now" probably does mean "now" because "holds" is in the present tense. Why would you think differently?

aeebee50 · 06-01-2012, 04:50 AM

I have to learn Greek, but I better brush up on my English skills.

stephan huller · 06-01-2012, 08:02 AM

now can be used in the logical sense - i.e. because a is 1 and b is 2 'now' we see that a + b = 3

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-01-2012, 12:35 AM	#2
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	I guess its the present tense of κατέχει. Don't know what I was thinking.

06-01-2012, 12:38 AM	#3
Adam Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Dixon CA Posts: 1,150	"now" probably does mean "now" because "holds" is in the present tense. Why would you think differently?

06-01-2012, 04:50 AM	#4
aeebee50 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 5,810	I have to learn Greek, but I better brush up on my English skills.

06-01-2012, 08:02 AM	#5
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	now can be used in the logical sense - i.e. because a is 1 and b is 2 'now' we see that a + b = 3

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.