Answering a question about ‘no striker,' instead of not a striker:
1 Timothy 3:3 No Striker. We’ve seen this is not the same as ‘smiter’ – one who smites with hands; but it’s a gypsy, a wanderer, a wayfaring man; usually it’s used in a negative sense.
There is not an article (a, an, the) for this noun so it’s considered general, not directly referred to, abstract, or uncountable. (Sports, countries, and abstract nouns require no article – sometimes referred to as zero article.)
If it had an article (a, an, the), it would be negated by NOT. Not a striker. NOT negates verbs and it negates specific, identified nouns; while NO negates uncountable or abstract nouns. (There are exceptions, but as a rule of thumb, it holds up.)
“Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” The obvious answer is zero, or not any specific man: just a general or abstract noun.
“She said, no man Lord” – zero. There is not an identified man left. (John 8)
NO negates only uncountable or abstract nouns, it never is used to negate adjective + noun. (Technically articles are adjectives, but that’s another post.)
OK : No water in the well (water is uncountable in this case) - Just an unspecified noun
OK : Eat this, not that. (Referring to specific foods) - NOT is used.
Now, NO striker. Notice how the bishop’s characteristics are specific…the husband of one…given to hospitality…. Adjectives define his nature. Also, in comparison, the flip side, what he is NOT (most of the negatives correspond with the positives in some way). These are specific descriptions.
Come to The Point:
And in the midst is ‘no striker.’ A noun negated by ‘no’– general, not referring to any particular thing. This makes it unique in the list of 1 Timothy. It’s broad and it’s vague; it’s a zero. There is nothing on the ‘good list’ that compares with this noun. The striker, any striker, is simply not there (that’s what a striker does…. wanders…walks out… walks away from work, responsibilities, and commitments) — You see this today, “Strikers walk off the job, demanding more pay…”
It’s an abstract noun for an abstract and undefined lifestyle. Uncountable. You can’t count on them.
I think the grammar supports the definition in an excellent way.