ἆρα

STRONGS

STRONGS NT 687: ἄρα (2)ἄρα (2), an interrogative particle (implying anxiety or impatience on the part of the questioner. Liddell and Scott, under the word) (of the same root as the preceding ἄρα, and only differing from it in that more vocal stress is laid upon the first syllable, which is therefore circumflexed);

1.numigitur, i. e. marking an inferential question to which a negative answer is expected: Luk 18:8; with γέ rendering it more pointed, ἄρα γέ (GT ἄραγε): Act 8:30; (ἄρα οὖν... διώκομεν Lachmann edition min. also major marginal reading are we then pursuing etc. Rom 14:19).

2. ergone i. e. a question to which an affirmative answer is expected, in an interrogative apodosis (German soistalsowohl?), he is then? Gal 2:17 (where others (e. g. Lachmann) write ἄρα, so that this example is referred to those mentioned under ἄρα, 3, and is rendered Christ is then a minister of sin; but μή γένοιτο, which follows, is everywhere by Paul opposed to a question). Cf. Winers Grammar, 510f (475f) (also Buttmann, 247 (213), 371 (318); Herm. ad Vig., p. 820ff; Klotz ad Devar. ii., p. 180ff; speaking somewhat loosely, it may be said "ἄρα expresses bewilderment as to a possible conclusion... ἄρα hesitates, while ἄρα concludes." Lightfoot on Galatians, the passage cited).