Pronoun – Reflexive 3s

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• The semantics of the phrase εἰς τέλος
• The morphology of the 3s reflexive pronoun
• The use of the reflexive pronoun to exclude others

VocabularyVocabulary

Noteεἰς τέλος

The phrase εἰς τέλος can refer either to its literal meaning of a temporal end, or it can refer to a high degree of something on a scale:

In this context, whoever endures until a temporal point is reached (referred to by τέλος) will be saved. At other times, εἰς τέλος cannot be interpreted temporally. For example, Shepherd of Hermas III.x.5 says that a woman is joyful εἰς τέλος, meaning she has a lot of joy. Given clear examples like these outside the NT, a text within the NT becomes ambiguous:

Either option is viable given the context and syntax. Although the temporal interpretation could be correct, this demonstrates the usefulness of reading Greek outside the NT as well – without reading more broadly within Greek literature, you would not be aware that understanding εἰς τέλος as ‘completely’ was even an option.

MorphologyMorphology: Pronoun – Reflexive (3s)

• 3s reflexive pronouns are formed by attaching the prefix ἑ- to the regular 3rd person pronoun αὐτός (the fem forms are not found in the NT)

SemanticsSemantics: Pronoun – Reflexive (without help)

In most cases, the reflexive pronoun refers back to another element already given in the sentence. However, the reflexive pronoun does occasionally take on a special meaning in prepositional phrases, such as by myself, which often means “without anyone’s help.” In Greek, the reflexive pronoun also may take on a special meaning with some prepositions. For example, the phrase ἀπ’ ἐμαυτοῦ may mean ‘from my own authority’: