| 22. Linguistic Exegesis The verse centers on two coordinated present participles, episterizontes {ἐπιστηρίζοντες | epistērízontes} ‘strengthening’ and parakaloûntes {παρακαλοῦντες | parakaloûntes} ‘encouraging,’ which describe ongoing pastoral actions linked to the wider narrative. The object of the first participle, tas psychas tôn mathētōn {τὰς ψυχὰς τῶν μαθητῶν | tàs psuchàs tôn mathētōn} ‘the souls of the disciples,’ emphasizes personal inner strength. The second participle introduces the infinitive clause emménein tē pístēi {ἐμμένειν τῇ πίστει | emménein tē pístēi} ‘to remain in faith,’ where the dative expresses the sphere of steadfast adherence. The conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} adds another element introduced by hóti {ὅτι | hóti}, marking the content clause dia pollōn thlíps-eōn deî hēmâs eiseltheîn {διὰ πολλῶν θλίψεων δεῖ ἡμᾶς εἰσελθεῖν | diá pollōn thlíps-eōn deî hēmâs eiseltheîn} ‘that through many tribulations it is necessary for us to enter.’ Here deî functions as an impersonal necessity verb governing the infinitive, with hēmâs as its logical subject. The prepositional phrase eis tēn basileían tou theoû {εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ | eis tēn basileían tou theoû} states the goal, highlighting that entry into God’s reign is achieved by passing through suffering. In translation, participles are rendered as finite actions to preserve readability while reflecting their supportive descriptive role, and the hóti-clause is maintained to keep the exhortation’s direct proclamation of necessity. |