| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the relative pronoun hosa {ὅσα | hó-sa} 'whatever things,' which serves as the subject in neuter plural governing the singular verb proegraphē {προεγράφη | pro-e-grá-phē} 'was written beforehand,' highlighting the collective scope of earlier writings. The prepositional phrase eis tēn hēmeteran didaskalian {εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν | eis tēn hē-me-té-ran di-das-ka-lí-an} indicates purpose 'for our instruction.' The second aorist passive verb egraphē {ἐγράφη | e-grá-phē} 'was written' emphasizes divine initiative. The hina clause with echōmen {ἔχωμεν | é-khō-men} in the present subjunctive expresses desired ongoing possession 'we may have.' Within this clause, the paired prepositional phrases dia tēs hypomonēs kai dia tēs paraklēseōs tōn graphōn {διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν | diá tēs hy-po-mo-nês kaí diá tēs pa-ra-klḗ-se-ōs tôn gra-phôn} specify means 'through perseverance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures,' linking inner endurance with external scriptural consolation to produce hope. |