Recognizing the Conditions of
“If” or “ei”
There are two parts of a conditional sentences (or, a sentence with an “if” clause/)
The two parts are:
a) The subordinate clause, or “if” clause which states a supposition or condition
b) The principle clause, or “conclusion” clause, which states the result if the “if” clause is fulfilled.
Example: “If you get
there early (this is the subordinate or
“if” clause)
then you will
get a good seat (this is the principle or
conclusion clause)
The Greek word ei is translated into
English as “if, or whether.” This word
will be found in the first part or the subordinate clause of a conditional
sentence.
The Greek word an is an untranslated word whose presence in a clause introduces the element of contingency. It will be found in the second part or the principle clause of a conditional sentence.
Here is an example from the Greek interlinear:
ei ek
tou kosmou
hte
If
of the world you were
o kosmos an to idion efelei
the world would its
own have loved.
First Class Condition
ei plus indicative mood. . . . . .with conclusion clause in any mood and any tense
Seen in Galatians 5:18, John 14:7
Second Class Condition
ei plus imperfect tense . . . . . . with conclusion clause an plus imperfect tense
Seen
in Luke
ei plus Aorist or Pluperfect tense . . . . . with conclusion clause an plus Aorist or Pluperfect tense.
Seen in John 11:32, Matthew 11:21
Third Class Condition
ei plus Subjunctive mood . . . . . with conclusion clause in any verb form
Seen
in Romans 7:2, Matthew
Fourth Class Condition
ei plus Optative mood . . . . . with conclusion clause an plus Optative mood
Seen
in 1 Peter