ινα 2443 CONJ επιγνως 1921 5632 V-2AAS-2S περι 4012 PREP ων 3739 R-GPM κατηχηθης 2727 5681 V-API-2S λογων 3056 N-GPM την 3588 T-ASF ασφαλειαν 803 N-ASF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Mightest know (epignwv). See on Matt. vii. 16. With the idea of full knowledge; or, as regards Theophilus, of more accurate knowledge than is possible from the many who have undertaken the narration.Certainty (asfaleian). From aj, not, and sfallomai, to fall. Hence steadfastness, stability, security against error.
Wast instructed (kathchqhv). From kathcew, to resound; to teach by word of mouth; and so, in Christian writers, to instruct orally in the elements of religion. It would imply that Theophilus had, thus far, been orally instructed. See on delivered, verse 2. The word catechumen is derived from it.
Things (logwn). Properly words (so Wyc.), which Rev. gives in margin. If the word can mean thing at all, it is only in the sense of the thing spoken of; the subject or matter of discourse, in which sense it occurs often in classical Greek. Some render it accounts, histories; others, doctrines of the faith. Godet translates instruction, and claims that not only the facts of the gospel, but the exposition of the facts with a view to show their evangelical meaning and to their appropriation by faith, are included in the word. There is force in this idea; and if we hold to the meaning histories, or even words, this sense will be implied in the context. Luke has drawn up his account in order that Theophilus may have fuller knowledge concerning the accounts which he has heard by word of mouth. That his knowledge may go on from the facts. to embrace their doctrinal and evangelical import; that he may see the facts of Jesus' life and ministry as the true basis of the Gospel of salvation.
THE NARRATIVE
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:4 {Mightest know} (epignwis). Second aorist active subjunctive of epiginwskw. Full knowledge (epi-), in addition to what he already has. {The certainty} (ten asfaleian). Make no slip (sfallw, to totter or fall, and a privative). Luke promises a reliable narrative. "Theophilus shall know that the faith which he has embraced has an impregnable historical foundation" (Plummer). {The things} (logwn). Literally "words," the details of the words in the instruction. {Wast instructed} (kateceqes). First aorist passive indicative. Not in O.T. and rare in ancient Greek. Occurs in the papyri. The word ecew is our word echo (cf. #1Th 1:8 for execetai, has sounded forth). katecew is to sound down, to din, to instruct, to give oral instruction. Cf. #1Co 14:9; Ac 21:21,24; 18:25; Gal 6:6. Those men doing the teaching were called _catechists_ and those receiving it were called _catechumens_. Whether Theophilus was still a catechumen is not known. this Preface by Luke is in splendid literary _Koin_ and is not surpassed by those in any Greek writer (Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius). It is entirely possible that Luke was familiar with this habit of Greek historians to write prefaces since he was a man of culture.
