| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the present middle imperative proseuchesthe {Προσεύχεσθε | Proseúchesthe} “pray,” addressing the community with an ongoing call to intercession. This is immediately followed by the prepositional phrase peri hēmōn {περὶ ἡμῶν | perì hēmôn} “concerning us,” specifying the object of the prayer. The next clause begins with peithometha gar hoti {πειθόμεθα γὰρ ὅτι | peithómetha gàr hóti}, where the postpositive gar links this sentence logically to the surrounding context and introduces an explanation: “for we are convinced that…”. The hoti clause functions as a content clause, giving what the writers are convinced of. Within this clause, kalēn syneidēsin echomen {καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν | kalḕn syneídēsin échomen} presents a simple subject–object–verb structure in Greek order: “a good conscience we have.” The accusative kalēn syneidēsin is the direct object of echomen, emphasizing the moral integrity of the authors. The participial phrase en pâsin kalōs thélontes anastréphesthai {ἐν πᾶσιν καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι | en pâsin kalōs thélontes anastréphesthai} is circumstantial, modifying the subject “we” and explaining the manner or sphere in which they claim to have a good conscience: “in all things, wishing to conduct ourselves well.” The prepositional phrase en pâsin sets the scope (“in all things”), kalōs functions adverbially (“well, honorably”), thélontes is a present participle expressing ongoing desire, and anastrépesthai is an infinitive of purpose or complementary infinitive tied to thélontes. In English, this structure is best rendered as a subordinate clause expressing continuous intent (“in all things desiring to conduct ourselves honorably” or “always wanting to live in a way that is good”), making explicit the ethical dimension of their claim to a good conscience while preserving the logical flow from request (pray) to explanation (for we are convinced…). |