The Ambiguity of the Subjunctive (1 Cor 4:15)

In #35.5 of Basics of Biblical Greek, I cover third-class conditional sentences. There are two kinds, but they have the same form. Their protasis is introduced with ἐάν and the verb is in the subjunctive mood. But there are two types of third-class conditional sentences. The “future more probable” describes a condition that might be true in the future. The “present general” describes a condition that is generally true at all times. The verb in the apodosis is always in the present tense.

However, Wallace cautions against defining the relationships between the two phrases too closely (696). “The third class condition encompasses a broad range of potentialities in Koine Greek. It depicts what is likely to occur in the future, what could possibly occur, or even what is only hypothetical and will not occur.”

The other day, I was asked about 1 Corinthians 4:15. The writer’s concern was that the verse doesn't seem to have an “if ... then ...” kind of logic between the two halves. However, in form, it is clearly a third-class conditional sentence. “For if (ἐάν) you were to have (ἔχητε) countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers” (NASB). ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας. Notice that there is no verb in the apodosis, so the translator must supply it.

Thiselton emphasizes that the “protasis is introduced by ἐάν, followed by the present subjunctive to signify an indefinite or unfulfilled hypothesis, for if you may perhaps have . . . .” He adds, “once we change the conditional structure (if) into a concessive (though), it seems preferable to convey the unfulfilled hypothesis as two contrasting statements: You might have . . . thousands . . . , but . . . .”

Paul’s logic seems to be that even if the Corinthians have many tutors, a statement that may or may not be true, it still follows that they would not have many fathers, but only one, Paul. You can see the translations struggling with the grammar (italics added):

• “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers” (ESV, cf. NET).
• “For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers” (NRSV).
• The CSB removes any thought of contingency. “You may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers.”
• The NIV keeps the “if” of ἐάν. “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers” (cf. NLT).

The indefiniteness of the subjunctive takes the attention off the other teachers (that they may or may not have had) and brings the focus back to Paul and his teaching. It also avoids any endorsement of these “teachers” (παιδαγωγούς). And that may be the point. They may or may not have had other teachers, but they only have one father.