[B-Greek] hOI MEN OUN APODEXAMENOI (Acts 2:41)
Iver Larsen
iver_larsen at sil.org
Sun Dec 28 03:49:19 EST 2008
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted & Robin Shoemaker" <shoes6 at juno.com>
To: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: 27. december 2008 23:11
Subject: [B-Greek] hOI MEN OUN APODEXAMENOI (Acts 2:41)
> Greetings.
>
> Acts 2:41 reads, in part:
> hOI MEN OUN APODEXAMENOI TON LOGON AUTOU EBAPTISQHSAN. . . .
>
> (English: "The ones who received his word were baptized . . . .")
>
> I'm trying to figure out MEN. (My grasp of Greek particles in general is slippery.) My best
> understanding is:
> MEN emphasizes the word(s) it is near. In spoken English we might say an emphasized word louder;
> in written English we use underlines and bold type; in written Koine Greek we use MEN.
>
> In this passage, then, MEN highlights the fact that those who received the message -- as distinct
> from those who did not -- were the ones baptized.
>
> Is this a satisfactory handling of the text?
I don't think so. MEN is a correlative particle that points forward to another related and
complementary thought. Usually that other thought is introduced by DE. At times, the second thought
is implicit. The two related thoughts may be in contrast or the second may simply add another aspect
to the scenario.
In this case, we need to look at more context, so I'll quote a bit more:
hOI MEN OUN APODEXAMENOI TON LOGON AUTOU EBAPTISQHSAN KAI PROSETEQHSAN EN THi hHMERAi EKEINHi YUCAI
hWSEI TRISCILIAI. HSAN DE PROSKARTEROUNTES THi DIDACHi TWN APOSTOLWN KAI THi KOINWNIAi...
Consequently (to hearing the message), not only did those who received the message get baptized and
added to the group of believers - as a first step, but they also - as a second step - devoted
themselves continuously/repeatedly to the teaching of the apostles, the fellowship etc.
MEN OUN often occur together. Of the 39 instances in the NT, 27 are in Acts. That does not mean that
the two particles go together as a unit. They have different and separate functions. OUN points
backward and often introduces a consequence or summary, while MEN points forward and sets the scene
for an additional, related thought. When you have heard a), you expect to hear a b). MEN refers to
the a).
Iver Larsen
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