| 36. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the genitive absolute construction anantirretōn ontōn toutōn {Ἀναντιρρήτων ὄντων τούτων | Anantirrhḗtōn Óntōn Toútōn} “with these things being undeniable,” which sets the factual basis for the exhortation. The participle ontōn agrees in case, number, and gender with both anantirretōn and toutōn, forming a self-contained circumstantial clause that is best rendered in English with “since.” The impersonal expression deon estin {δέον ἐστὶν | Déon Estín} provides the main modal force, equivalent to “it is necessary” or “one ought,” and syntactically governs the following accusative and infinitive structure. The pronoun hymas {ὑμᾶς | Hymâs} functions as the accusative subject of the infinitives, while katestalmenous hyparchein {κατεσταλμένους ὑπάρχειν | Katestalménous Hypárchein} forms an object-complement construction: “for you to be in a calmed state.” The perfect passive participle katestalmenous conveys a settled, resultant condition, not merely a momentary quietness. The coordinated infinitive clause mēden propetes prassein {μηδὲν προπετὲς πράσσειν | Mēdén Propetés Prássein} adds a negative counterpart, “to do nothing rash,” where mēden modifies the adjective propetes, together functioning as the object of prassein. The structure thus moves from an established, uncontested reality, through an impersonal necessity, to two coordinated infinitival directives that address both inner disposition (being calmed) and outward behavior (avoiding rash action). The English renderings preserve this logical progression with “since … it is necessary … to be … and to do nothing,” mirroring the Greek clause relationships. |