Conditional Clauses « PreviousNext » Diagramming

ἵνα + the Subjunctive (31.14)

  • Purpose Clause (Telic)
    • ἵνα + the Subjunctive can express purpose
    • e.g Hebrews 4.16 - προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν.
    • negated with μή for non-idicative mood: ἵνα μή or ὅπως μή = “in order that not” i.e. “lest”
  • Appositional Clause
    • Explanatory, "namely, that"
    • a weaker sense than purpose
    • e.g John 17.3 - αὕτη δέ ἐστιν ἡ αἰώνιος ζωὴ ἵνα γινώσκωσιν σὲ τὸν μόνον ἀληθινὸν θεὸν καὶ ὃν ἀπέστειλας Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν. - "This is etermal life that they may know..."
    • Very common use in John's writings
  • Epexegetical Clause
    • Clarifying detail for a preceding noun or adjective
    • e.g. Luke 7.6 - οὐ γὰρ ἱκανός εἰμι ἵνα ὑπὸ τὴν στέγην μου εἰσέλθῃς· "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof..."
  • For full details on ἵνα + the Subjunctive, cf. Wallace pp. 471-477