4 CLASS CONDITIONS OF “IF”

 

1.      1st class…“If and it’s assumed to be true” …assumed reality.

(ei with indicative in protasis; any mood or tense in the apodosis).

 

Colossians 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

 

Mark 4:23  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

 

 

2.      2nd class…“If and it’s assumed not to be true” …assumed unreality.

(ei with indicative in protasis; an with indicative in apodosis).

 

John 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

 

Galatians 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

 

 

3.      3rd Class…“If and it might or might not be true” …condition of uncertainty and possibility.

(ean with subjunctive in the protasis; any mood or tense in the apodosis).

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Hebrews 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

 

4.    4th Class…“If and I wish it were true” …condition of wishful desirability.

(ei with optative).

 

Acts 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.

 

1 Peter 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

 

*Each of these are viewed from the perspective of the writer.