Optative

1Thessalonians 5:23

"I do have to add one thing here that is a minor error on J. Jump's part. The verbs in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 are optative, not subjunctive. There's the probability of failure in the optative, with only the possibility of failure in the subjunctive. Few will be included in this group. Many are called, but few are called out. Many, many people are saved, but few will rule and reign."

GE:

J Jump's was no 'minor error' - his was no error. Once again, strictly to "secondary endings" (Dana and Mantey) it is, the Optative -- also called the 'weaker Subjunctive'.

In our verse it's not the 'Volantative O.' because Paul expresses no mere wish.

It cannot be the 'Potential O.' because Paul implies no condition; there's not the particle 'an'.

It cannot be the 'Deliberate O.' in our verse because there's no "interrogation (that) does not assume an answer". No "unusually doubtful attitude of mind is implied."

So which or what Optative is this? It is an Optative of Faith, if I may invent my own name for it. It functions just like the Subjunctive would in the context of the prayer of a believer. It does NOT suppose uncertainty, improbability or impossibility, but the opposite of it. It is New Testament Greek; it is 'Pauline Greek'.