Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:

KJV: 

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

I myself, however? I am wanting on account of you that it doesn't want to depart, that faith of yours. And you yourself? When you return, support these brothers of yours.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

Here, though you cannot see it in English translation, Jesus starts to address an individual personally. We may assume from the last verse,  Luke 22:3, that this is Simon, though the "you" in that verse was plural. 

The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. 

The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English. We have seen this emphasis several times at the Passover meal.

The Greek word translated as "have prayed" is means to "lack", "miss", "stand in need of", "want",  "to be in want or need", "require", and to "beg a thing from".  It is an uncommon word for Jesus. It is not a command, as translated, but a passive verb, "I am wanting".   The form is not the past tense, as translated, but a tense that refers to a specific point in time, past, present, or future.

The Greek word translated as "for" means It means "around" when referring to a place, but, in this context, it means "about", "concerning", "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Christ usually uses it.

The word translated as "thee" is singular form of the second person pronoun. This is the first time Jesus has used the singular in this group of verses. Though he has been likely answering questions that whole time, his answers, until now, have addressed everyone.

The word translated as "that" is an adverb or a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."

The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second-person, singular pronoun.

The term translated as "faith" is closer to our idea of having confidence or trust in people, especially their word, rather than having religious belief. This noun follows the verb, which creates some suspense in the verse.

The key word here is translated as "fail". The verb is a rare one for Jesus, only used here and one other place. It seems chosen for the humor. The word primarily means to "forsake", "desert", "abandon" not "fail".

The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "it doesn't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. This negative begins the clause, coming before the verb and the subject.

The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

The "when"  is from an adverb meaning "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future."

The "thou" here is the pronoun. Since pronouns are not usually used for subject in Greek, its use is to accentuate the word like we would say "you yourself".

"Art converted, " is translated from a Greek word "to turn about", "return", or "to turn around," but also means "cause to return" and "to turn one's mind towards" something. It is not passive, but active, "you return".

"Strengthen" is a Greek verb that means to "make fast", "prop", "fix"​, and "support".  Jesus only uses this word twice. It is the word that means setting a stone in the ground so it won't move and putting a rainbow in the clouds, but metaphorically, it means "to establish".  The sense here is clearly "support".

The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun.

The word translated as "brother" means a biological brother, any kinsmen, and more broadly and friend or associate. .

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

ἐγὼ (pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I". It also means "I at least", "for my part", "indeed," and for myself. --

δὲ (conj/adv) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). --

ἐδεήθην [uncommon] ( verb 1st sg aor ind pass ) "Pray" is from deomaiwhich means to "lack", "miss", "stand in need of", "want",  "to be in want or need", "require", and to "beg a thing from".   --

περὶ (prep) "For" is peri, which means "round about (Place)", "around", "about", "concerning", "on account of", "in regard to", "before", "above", "beyond," and "all around." --

σοῦ (adj sg masc gen) "Thee" is sou which means "of you" and "your."  --

ἵνα (adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place", "there", "where", "when", "that", "in order that", "when," and "because." --

μὴ (partic) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. --

ἐκλίπῃ  [uncommon]( verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "Fail" is from ekleipo which means "leave out", "pass over", "forsake", "desert", "abandon", "fail one," [of the moon] "eclipse", "faint", "leave off", "cease", "be wanting", "be left", "remain," or "depart." --

πίστις ( noun sg fem nom ) "Faith" is pistis, which means "confidence", "assurance", "trustworthiness", "credit", "a trust," "that which give confidence," and, as a character trait, "faithfulness."--

σου: (adj sg masc gen) "Thy" is sou which means "of you" and "your."  --

καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just." --

σύ (pron 2nd sg nom) "Thou" is su which means "you" and "your." -- 

ποτε (adv/conj) "When" comes from pote, which means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future." -- 

ἐπιστρέψας ( verb 2nd sg aor ind act ) "Art converted" is epistrepho, which means "to turn about", "to turn around", "turn towards", "return", "curve", "twist", "go back-and forwards", "pay attention to," "to turn one's mind towards," "regard", "conduct oneself," and "behave," and in the passive to "be converted", "to be distorted", "turn oneself round", "are turned," and as an adjective, "earnest", "vehement." --

στήρισον [uncommon]( verb 2nd sg aor imperat act ) "Strengthen" is stērizō, which means to "make fast", "prop", "fix"​, and "support". In the passive, "to be firmly set or fixed", and "stand fast." Metaphorically, it means to  "confirm", and "establish." --

τοὺς ἀδελφούς ( noun pl masc acc ) "Brethren" is adelphos, which means "son of the same mother", "kinsman", "colleague", "associate," and "brother." --

(adj sg masc gen) "Thee" is sou which means "of you" and "your."  --

Related Verses: 

Front Page Date: 

Feb 13 2019