| 25. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the genitive absolute dialegomenou de autou {διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ | di-a-le-go-mé-nou dè au-toû}, establishing a circumstantial temporal frame “while he was reasoning.” The preposition peri {περὶ | pe-rí} links three genitive objects—dikaiosynes {δικαιοσύνης | di-kai-o-sý-nēs}, enkrateias {ἐγκρατείας | en-kra-teí-as}, and tou krimatos tou mellontos {τοῦ κρίματος τοῦ μέλλοντος | toû krí-ma-tos toû mél-lon-tos}—to specify the topics under discussion and culminates in an articular participial phrase “the judgment that is coming,” signaling eschatological focus. The main clause subjects Felix to an adjectival resultative construction emphobos genomenos ho Phelix {ἔμφοβος γενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ | ém-pho-bos ge-nó-me-nos ho Phê-lix} conveying “Felix, having become afraid.” His reply is introduced by the aorist passive deponent verb apekrithen {ἀπεκρίθη | a-pe-krí-thē}, followed by the substantival participle to nyn echon {Τὸ νῦν ἔχον | Tò nŷn é-chon} functioning as “the present time,” which he appraises before issuing the imperative poreuou {πορεύου | po-reú-ou}, “go,” as a dismissal. The adverbial participle kairon de metalabon {καιρὸν δὲ μεταλαβὼν | kai-rón dè me-ta-la-bôn} connects temporally to the future metakalesomai {μετακαλέσομαί | me-ta-ka-lé-so-mai}, “I will call for you,” indicating that Felix will initiate renewed engagement at a more favorable moment, with kairos emphasizing qualitative suitability rather than mere chronology. |