| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The opening genitive absolute pol·lēs de zētēseōs genomenēs {πολλῆς δὲ ζητήσεως γενομένης | pol-lēs de zē-tē-se-ōs ge-no-men-ēs} sets a temporal backdrop (“After considerable contention” / “When debate dragged on”), prompting an English subordinate clause. The aorist participle anastas {ἀναστὰς | a-na-stas} precedes the main verb eipen {εἶπεν | êi-pen}, indicating Peter’s rising as adverbial circumstance, rendered by “stood”/“stood up.” The double vocative Ándres adelphoi {Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί | Án-dres a-del-phoí} is maintained as “Men, brothers” and “Friends and brothers,” preserving respect and warmth. The phrase aph hēmerōn archaiōn {ἀφ’ ἡμερῶν ἀρχαίων | aph hē-mer-ōn ar-khai-ōn} conveys a distant past, rendered “from ancient days” formal and “long ago” dynamic. The verb exelexato {ἐξελέξατο | ex-e-lék-sa-to} has theos {θεὸς | the-òs} as explicit subject, highlighting divine initiative, rendered “God chose.” The phrase dia tou stomatos mou {διὰ τοῦ στόματός μου | di-à tou stó-ma-tos mou} identifies Peter as the instrument; formal retains “through my mouth,” dynamic adapts “from my lips.” The coordinated aorist infinitives akousai…pisteusai {ἀκοῦσαι…πιστεῦσαι | a-koû-sai pis-teû-sai} express the intended outcome—hearing and believing—rendered with modal clarity (“should hear… and believe” / “would hear… and believe”). |