QUIA, or Quoniam: Because. This Particle answers to the Hebrew Ki, and to the Greek Hoti, the Signification of which is generally causal, and is translated by because. But sometimes also these Particles are redundant in the Discourse; and at other times they should only be translated by that, and other times by wherefore. ‘Tis needless to give Examples of quia, when it signifies that and because, for they will recur often. This same Particle seems to be redundant in these Passages. Nisi quia Dominus erat in nobis. If the Lord had not been with us. Psal. xciii. 17.Nisi quia Dominus adjuvit me. Unless the Lord had help’d me.
It is used for wherefore in this Passage of Luke viii. 47.St. Luke. Remittuntur ei peccata multa, quoniam dilexit multum. Cui enim minus dimittitur, minus diligit. The Tenour of the Discourse requires, that we should understand it, as hinted before. A Master had two Debtors, one of them owed him an hundred Pence, the other Fifty. They not having wherewithal to pay, he forgives them their Debts; which of the two ought to love him most? Doubtless he to whom the greatest Sum was remitted. He adds, Many Sins are forgiven this Woman, Quoniam dilexit multum. It is plain it should be translated, wherefore she loves much; but he to whom less is forgiven will love less. Here are other Examples, where quia is put for quapropter. John viii. 29.Qui me misit, mecum est; quia ego quæ placita sunt ei facio semper. And elsewhere; John xiv. 17.Vos autem cognoscetis eum, quia apud vos manebit. And in the Psalms; Ego clamavi Psal. cxxiii. 1. Psal. xvi. 6. Psal. cxv. 1. Jer. xxix. 16.quoniam exaudisti me. And again; Credidi propter quod locutus sum. The Hebrew says, Credidi quia locutus sum. Jeremiah; Qui dixistis, suscitavit nobis Dominus Prophetas in Babylone, quia hæ dicit Dominus. Instead of, Quapropter hæc dicit Dominus, &c.