| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the fronted comparative adjective kreitton {κρεῖττον | kreî-tton} ‘better’, linked by the explanatory conjunction gar {γὰρ | gár}. The clause en autois me epegnokenai {ἦν αὐτοῖς μὴ ἐπεγνωκέναι | ên au-toîs mḕ e-pe-gno-ké-nai} is an impersonal subject infinitive construction presenting “not to have known” as preferable. The comparison continues with the aorist participle epignousin {ἐπιγνοῦσιν | e-pig-noû-sin} “after knowing,” governing the infinitive hypostrepsai {ὑποστρέψαι | hy-po-stré-psai} “to turn back.” The prepositional genitive phrase ek tês paradotheises autois hagias entolēs {ἐκ τῆς παραδοθείσης αὐτοῖς ἁγίας ἐντολῆς | ek tês pa-ra-do-theí-sēs au-toîs ha-gí-as en-to-lês} identifies the holy commandment as a solemn entrusted charge. English retains the Greek comparative structure “better X than Y,” preserves the temporal sequence of knowing before turning back, and maintains the metaphor of a divinely given way and command. |