BBG Chapter 35 — Nonindicative of δίδωμι and Conditional Sentences

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Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar, Mounce, 4th Edition
Data: MACULA Greek TAGNT (~415 δίδωμι tokens; ~650 conditional sentences NT-wide)

1. Non-Indicative Forms of δίδωμι

1.1 Subjunctive

The subjunctive of δίδωμι uses the lengthened vowel (ω/η) pattern of the subjunctive, applied to the μι-verb stem:

Note: The subjunctive of δίδωμι (δῶ) looks very much like the aorist indicative of ω-verbs. Context is essential — look for ἵνα, ἐάν, or other subjunctive signals.

1.2 Imperative

Note: The aorist imperative 2sg δός is extremely common in the GNT: "Give!" (Matt 14:16; Mark 6:37; Luke 15:12). Recognize it immediately — it is a very short, non-obvious form.

1.3 Infinitive

Note: The present infinitive διδόναι has the characteristic -ναι ending of μι-verb infinitives. The aorist δοῦναι is a contracted form (δο + εναι → δοῦναι).

1.4 Participle

2. Conditional Sentences — Overview

A conditional sentence has two parts:
- Protasis — the "if" clause (condition)
- Apodosis — the "then" clause (result)

Greek has four classes of conditional sentences, distinguished by the mood and tense in each part and by the degree of reality or probability assumed.

3. The Four Classes of Conditional Sentences

Class 1 — Simple (Particular Fact) Condition

The speaker assumes the condition is true (for the sake of argument) — whether it actually is or not.

εἰ υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰπὲ ἵνα οἱ λίθοι οὗτοι ἄρτοι γένωνται. (Matt 4:3)
"If you are the Son of God [assuming you are], tell these stones to become bread."

εἰ ὁ θεὸς δίκαιός ἐστιν, κρινεῖ τὸν κόσμον.
"If God is righteous [and I assume he is], he will judge the world."

Class 2 — Contrary-to-Fact Condition

The speaker assumes the condition is NOT true (the action did not/does not happen).

εἰ ἦτε τέκνα τοῦ Ἀβραάμ, τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ ἐποιεῖτε ἄν. (John 8:39)
"If you were children of Abraham [but you are not], you would be doing the works of Abraham."

εἰ ἐγνώκειτέ με, καὶ τὸν πατέρα μου ἐγνώκειτε ἄν. (John 8:19)
"If you had known me [you do not], you would also have known my Father."

Note: The marker for Class 2 is ἄν in the apodosis + past indicative in both parts. If you see ἄν in the result clause and the verb forms are past indicative, it is contrary-to-fact.

Class 3 — More Probable Future Condition

The speaker presents the condition as likely or possible in the future.

ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν. (1 John 1:8)
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves."

ἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν. (1 John 1:9)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful…"

Note: Class 3 is by far the most common conditional type in the GNT. Recognize ἐάν + subjunctive immediately as a Class 3 condition. This overlaps with the indefinite clause construction from Ch31.

Class 4 — Less Probable (Remote) Future Condition

The speaker presents the condition as possible but unlikely or remote. This is very rare in the GNT (only partial examples survive; the optative mood required for Class 4 is itself rare in the NT).

εἰ καὶ πάσχοιτε διὰ δικαιοσύνην, μακάριοι. (1 Pet 3:14)
"But even if you should suffer on account of righteousness, you are blessed."

Note: Full Class 4 conditionals (both parts with optative + ἄν) are virtually absent from the GNT. What survives are mostly protases without a matching apodosis. For GNT purposes, recognize the optative mood and Class 4 label, but do not expect to see many complete examples.

4. Conditional Sentence Summary Table

5. Protasis and Apodosis — Terminology

• Protasis (from πρότασις, "that which is put forward first"): the "if" clause
• Apodosis (from ἀπόδοσις, "giving back"): the "then" clause — the logical result

The protasis introduces the condition; the apodosis states what follows if (or because) the condition holds.

6. GNT Examples — Full Analysis

Class 1: εἰ τέκνα ἐστέ, καὶ κληρονόμοι (cf. Gal 4:7)
"If you are children [and I assume you are], then also heirs."

Class 2: εἰ ἐγίνωσκον, οὐκ ἂν τὸν κύριον τῆς δόξης ἐσταύρωσαν. (1 Cor 2:8)
"If they had known [but they did not], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Class 3: ἐὰν πιστεύσῃς, ὄψῃ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ. (John 11:40)
"If you believe, you will see the glory of God."

Class 4 (partial): εἰ πάσχοιτε διὰ δικαιοσύνην, μακάριοι ὑμεῖς. (1 Pet 3:14)
"If you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed."

7. δίδωμι Non-Indicative — Quick Reference