[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/
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