Was it possible for Paul to become a G96-REPROBATE?

[tonychanyt]

King James Bible, Romans 1:

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate [G96] mind, to do those things which are not convenient.

Elsewhere, Berean Literal Bible, 1 Corinthians 9:

27 But I [Paul] batter my body and bring it into servitude, lest having preached to others, I myself might be disqualified [G96].

might not be
γένωμαι (genōmai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

disqualified
ἀδόκιμος (adokimos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 96: Failing to pass the test, unapproved, counterfeit. By implication, worthless.

Strong's Greek: 96. ἀδόκιμος (adokimos) — 8 Occurrences

Was it possible for Paul to become a G96-reprobate?

Yes, he said it himself in 1 Corinthians 9:27.

 

[PloverWing]

Thanks for this. My Greek isn't currently strong enough to sift through the range of meanings of ἀδόκιμος (maybe when I'm retired, I'll finally have time to study Greek properly). But I see that there's a huge difference between the harsh meaning the translators choose in Romans 1:28 ("reprobate", "depraved", etc.) and the much gentler meaning they choose for I Corinthians 9:27 ("disapproved", "disqualified").

As an aside, I looked up the English word "reprobate" just now, because I realized it's one of those churchy words that I don't actually use in everyday life. My dictionary tells me that it comes from a Latin word meaning "disapproved"; it only acquired its harsher meaning after being filtered through Reformed theology, where it came to mean a sinner eternally rejected by God. All that to say, when the King James translators were doing their work, "reprobate" apparently had that gentler meaning of "disapproved", or "not meeting the qualifications", that we see in I Corinthians 9.

 

[All Becomes New]

Yes, he said it himself in 1 Corinthians 9:27.

It says he didn't so something so that he wouldn't. This does not mean he could have become reprobate if we wound the clock back. Paul is earnestly seeking to NOT be a reprobate. This does not mean he could have been a reprobate.

 

[tonychanyt]

It says he didn't so something so that he wouldn't. This does not mean he could have become reprobate if we wound the clock back. Paul is earnestly seeking to NOT be a reprobate. This does not mean he could have been a reprobate.

Are you familiar with the Aorist Subjective mood?

 

[All Becomes New]

Are you familiar with the Aorist Subjective mood?

No, explain it, please.

 

[tonychanyt]

No, explain it, please.

Wiki:

The subjunctive mood of a verb in Koine Greek is the form generally used to express potential or possibility.

 

[All Becomes New]

Wiki:

So explain where/how Paul is saying he could be a reprobate.

 

[tonychanyt]

So explain where/how Paul is saying he could be a reprobate.

1 Corinthians 9:

27 But I [Paul] batter my body and bring it into servitude, lest having preached to others, I myself might be disqualified [G96-reprobate].

might not be
γένωμαι (genōmai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

See also God gave them over to a REPROBATE mind.