[B-Greek] Single author as "we"

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Mon Mar 5 09:21:50 EST 2007


On Mar 4, 2007, at 8:47 PM, Mitch Larramore wrote:

> I ran across this statement while reading:
>
> "It was common for an ancient writer to write using
> the plural pronoun 'we.'" (I've run across comments
> like this previously, and as here with this
> commentary, never have I seen examples listed.)
>
> How can it be determined (verified) that a single
> writer did use 'we' when he/she was the sole author?
> It seems circular reasoning in some sense unless
> undisputed ancient examples abound. Do they? (I note
> that because this phenomenon is assumed, that
> christian writers today do this, but I'm wondering if
> we've misunderstood this idea.)

It's common practice in ancient epistolography. You might look at BDF  
§280

"The literary plural (pluralist sociativus), i.e. the use of hHMEIS  
instead of EGW  and the 1st person plur. f the verb instead of the  
1st singular, is a widespread tendency among Greek authors as well as  
in vulgar texts and other languages. The writer (or speaker) thereby  
brings the reader (or hearer) into association with his own action.  
this plur. is frequently sought in Paul; however, as the salutations  
to his Epistles show, he is usually writing in the name of two or  
more persons and where this is not the case ([Pastorals, Romans,  
[Ephesians}, no such plurals are found: cf. e.g. Col 1:3  
EUCARISTOUMEN with Eph 1:15f. KAGW ... OU PAUOMAI EUCARISTWN. It is  
admittedly not always possible in letters written in the name of two  
or more persons to refer a plur. to that plurality without some  
compelling reason (thus 2 Cor 10:11ff.). The author of Hebrews, who,  
admittedly does not name the sender(s), certainly appears to use  
sing. and lur. without distinction: 5:11, 6:1, 3, 9, 11 etc., 13:18f.  
(plur.-sing.), 22f. EPESTEILA, hHMWN); in 1 Jn 1:4 GRAFOMEN hHMEIS  
appears to be equivalent of GRAFWin 2:1 etc. ..."

Wallace treats this on p. 394 (Editorial “We” {Epistolary Plural}).

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)
1989 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad2 at mac.com
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconrad/




More information about the B-Greek mailing list