3

In the N.K.J.V. "and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy".

In the E.S.V. "in order to make known the riches of his glory".

As I understand it "gnorise" is a subjunctive which the N.K.J.V. recognises by using the word "might". The E.S.V. could have put, "in order that He might make known".

Is the absence or presence of "might" in this verse significant enough to warrant attention i.e. How should "gnorise" be translated in Rom 9:23?

1
  • 1
    I agree that the subjunctive mood requires either a "might" or "if" or something equivalent to them to convey this subjunctive mood.
    – Dottard
    Mar 14, 2020 at 22:51

1 Answer 1

2

To answer your question concisely, no, the word “might” isn’t a significant enough criterion in Romans 9:23 to judge an English version’s “accuracy” based on its presence or absence. I think the key is to avoid embracing a strict sense of only possibility if “might” is present. A good example is the famous verse John 3:16. The second half could be translated, “that whoever believes in him might not perish (subjunctive, ἀπόληται)…” Is it only a possibility that someone who believes in him will not perish? And perhaps just as possible that they will? Of course not. The subjunctive is used for the grammatical reason that it is in a purpose clause (“that” is ἵνα, hina). As long as we don’t read a strictly possible sense, “might not perish” is still a good translation.

To expand more on the answer, the use of the English “might” or “may” is a classic, and now, I would say, an outdated way of indicating the subjunctive mood. For example, of the 59 English versions on biblegateway.com, only 14 include “might” when translating γνωρίσῃ (gnōrisē) in Romans 9:23. Bill Mounce, in a blog precisely addressing this topic (https://www.billmounce.com/monday-with-mounce/my-second-thoughts-about-subjunctives-purpose-clauses), fears that often the word “might” introduces an unnecessary and sometimes harmful conditional element. “Much better”, he says, “to generally define the subjunctive as indicating something that is not ‘is’ but is ‘uncertain but probable’.” In other words, “the subjunctive is one step removed from reality,” but not as far removed as the optative, which is only “possible.” Blass and Debrunner, in their Greek Grammar of the New Testament, point out that a purpose clause using ἵνα, as we find here in Romans 9:23, “often serves as periphrasis for the infinitive.” Therefore, versions that translate γνωρίσῃ here as “in order to make known,” like the ESV does, are well within sound Greek grammatical and syntactical use.

1
  • +1 Because I think you are on the right track. But your ref to John 3:16 left me thinking the subjunctive here does not question whether or not whoever believes might or might not be saved. Rather what had to happen that such a system might exist? The Father sent the Son that the system/salvation "might" exist.
    – C. Stroud
    Apr 6, 2020 at 14:22

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.