New Testament Greek

1700 Years Later: What the Nicene Creed Got Wrong? A Look Through Arian and Eunomian Eyes

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Biblical Greek

Exactly seventeen centuries have passed since the First Council of Nicaea convened on May 20, A.D. 325 — a gathering that, by June 19, promulgated the Nicene Creed, a defining statement of Christian orthodoxy that proclaimed the Son of God to be “true God from true God” and homoousios (of one essence) with the Father. But what if we examine that landmark creed through the eyes of its earliest and most formidable critics? In the wake of Nicaea, two theologians in particular – Arius of Alexandria and, a generation later, Eunomius of Cyzicus – stood in staunch opposition to the Nicene formula.… Learn Koine Greek

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When Minds Are Opened: The Divine Key to the Scriptures

Posted on May 4, 2024 by Exegesis & Hermeneutics

Τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς, (Luke 24:45)

Then he opened their mind to understand the Scriptures,

Exegetical Analysis

The sentence begins with the adverb τότε (“then”), marking a critical turning point in the narrative after the risen Jesus has appeared to the disciples. The aorist verb διήνοιξεν (from διανοίγω) means “He opened thoroughly” or “He unlocked.” It governs the direct object τὸν νοῦν (“the mind”) — specifically their mind (αὐτῶν), pointing to a shared internal transformation. The phrase τοῦ συνιέναι is an articular infinitive of purpose in the genitive, showing the aim of the opening: in order to understand.… Learn Koine Greek

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Hearing, Seeing, Setting: The Imperative Symphony of Ezekiel 44:5

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Biblical Greek

Καὶ εἶπεν Κύριος πρός με υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου τάξον εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου καὶ ἰδὲ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου καὶ τοῖς ὠσίν σου ἄκουε πάντα ὅσα ἐγὼ λαλῶ μετὰ σοῦ κατὰ πάντα τὰ προστάγματα οἴκου Κυρίου καὶ κατὰ πάντα τὰ νόμιμα αὐτοῦ καὶ τάξεις τὴν καρδίαν σου εἰς τὴν εἴσοδον τοῦ οἴκου κατὰ πάσας τὰς ἐξόδους αὐτοῦ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἁγίοις (Ezekiel 44:5 LXX) A Verse of Triple Command

In this verse, the prophet is addressed with a striking triad of imperatives: τάξον (“set”), ἰδὲ (“see”), and ἄκουε (“listen”). These are not merely random commands; they form a deliberate rhetorical and grammatical pattern.… Learn Koine Greek

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Fellowship in Giving: Context of Philippians 4:15

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Philippians 4:15 stands as a testament to the unique bond between the Apostle Paul and the church at Philippi. In this verse, Paul recalls how the Philippians were the only community to support him financially when he first set out from their region. Rather than a mere thank-you note, the passage serves as a profound reflection on partnership in the gospel0. Paul’s language is warm and theologically rich, illustrating that their monetary gift was not just charity but an expression of κοινωνία – fellowship and mutual participation in ministry. The very grammar of the sentence reinforces the Philippians’ singular devotion and Paul’s gratitude.… Learn Koine Greek

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Cutting the Word Straight: The Exegete Before God

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Exegesis & Hermeneutics

Σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker without shame, rightly handling the word of truth.

Exegetical Analysis

The verse begins with the imperative σπούδασον, a second person aorist active imperative of σπουδάζω, meaning “make every effort” or “be zealous.” This imperative evokes an urgency and intentionality in the command. It is not casual advice but a charged directive to exert one’s full diligence. The object σεαυτὸν (“yourself”) places responsibility squarely on the reader—here, Timothy—to take personal ownership of preparation. The following infinitival clause, δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, reveals the purpose: to “present yourself approved to God.”… Learn Koine Greek

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The Great Priest Over God’s House: The Foundation of Confident Access

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Exegesis & Hermeneutics

Καὶ ἱερέα μέγαν ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ, (Hebrews 10:21)

And having a great priest over the house of God,

The Context of a Completed Work

In Hebrews 10:21, the author continues a chain of dependent clauses that began in verse 19, forming part of a single, magnificent argument for Christian assurance. The phrase καὶ ἱερέα μέγαν (“and [having] a great priest”) completes the dual foundation of confidence — first, free access to the holy place through Christ’s blood, and second, His enduring priesthood. The adjective μέγαν (“great”) carries both qualitative and hierarchical weight. This is not merely a high-ranking priest but the supreme one, surpassing all others in dignity and function.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Fellowship of Spirits: Syntax, Theology, and the Sacred Divide in 1 Corinthians 10:20

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Classical Greek

Ἀλλ’ ὅτι ἃ θύει τὰ ἔθνη, δαιμονίοις θύει καὶ οὐ Θεῷ· οὐ θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς κοινωνοὺς τῶν δαιμονίων γίνεσθε. (1 Corinthians 10:20)

But that the nations sacrifice what they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons.

This verse captures Paul’s urgent theological concern through the grammatical precision of Koine Greek. Within the flow of 1 Corinthians 10, Paul contrasts the worship of the nations with the sacred fellowship of believers at the Lord’s table. The syntax here mirrors his pastoral tension, both warning and persuasion, bridging Semitic idiom with Hellenistic directness.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Grammar of Moral Memory

Posted on October 19, 2025 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα. (Mark 10:19)

You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother.

Mark 10:19 opens with a declaration of familiarity — τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας (“you know the commandments”). The verb οἶδας is the perfect active indicative of οἶδα (“to know”), a verb whose perfect form functions as a present in meaning. Its grammatical aspect denotes a completed acquisition of knowledge with continuing results.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Grammar of Divine Authority

Posted on October 18, 2025 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Οὐδεὶς αἴρει αὐτὴν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ, ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ τίθημι αὐτὴν ἀπ’ ἐμαυτοῦ· ἐξουσίαν ἔχω θεῖναι αὐτήν, καὶ ἐξουσίαν ἔχω πάλιν λαβεῖν αὐτήν· ταύτην τὴν ἐντολὴν ἔλαβον παρὰ τοῦ Πατρός μου. (John 10:18)

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This command I received from my Father.

This verse forms a syntactic and theological masterpiece where every verb bears the weight of divine autonomy. The central claim—οὐδεὶς αἴρει αὐτὴν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ—establishes the independence of Christ’s action: “No one takes it from me.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Grammar of Warning: The Imperative of Vigilance

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων· παραδώσουσι γὰρ ὑμᾶς εἰς συνέδρια, καὶ ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν μαστιγώσουσιν ὑμᾶς· (Matthew 10:17)

But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.

The command προσέχετε (“beware”) opens this verse with sharp urgency. It is a present active imperative, second person plural of προσέχω, meaning “to pay attention,” “to be cautious,” or “to guard oneself.” The present imperative form emphasizes ongoing vigilance, not a momentary reaction. This grammatical aspect implies that disciples must maintain continual awareness — a sustained, habitual watchfulness. The connective δὲ (“but”) introduces contrast, marking a transition from general exhortation to specific warning.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Inner Circumcision: Grammar as the Call to Transformation

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Biblical Greek

Καὶ περιτεμεῖσθε τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν καὶ τὸν τράχηλον ὑμῶν οὐ σκληρυνεῖτε ἔτι (Δευτερονόμιον 10:16 LXX)

And you shall circumcise the hardness of your heart, and your neck you shall not harden any longer.

Grammatical Insight

The verse of Deuteronomy 10:16 in the Septuagint compresses profound theology into the tight syntax of command. The verb περιτεμεῖσθε (future middle indicative, second person plural of περιτέμνω) conveys an imperative nuance, functioning as a “prophetic future.” It invites the hearers not merely to perform a ritual but to participate in an inward transformation. The accusative object τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν (“the hardness of your heart”) personifies resistance to divine will, making grammar a vessel of moral anatomy.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Grammar of Offering: Eternal Ordinance in the Syntax of Service

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Biblical Greek

Τὸν βραχίονα τοῦ ἀφαιρέματος καὶ τὸ στηθύνιον τοῦ ἀφορίσματος ἐπὶ τῶν καρπωμάτων τῶν στεάτων προσοίσουσιν ἀφόρισμα ἀφορίσαι ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ἔσται σοὶ καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου καὶ ταῖς θυγατράσιν σου μετὰ σοῦ νόμιμον αἰώνιον ὃν τρόπον συνέταξεν Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ (Λευιτικόν 10:15 LXX)

The arm of the removal and the breast of the separation they shall bring upon the offerings of the fat portions as a separation to separate before the Lord, and it shall be for you and for your sons and for your daughters with you as a perpetual statute, as the LORD commanded Moshe.

Grammatical Insight

The verse of Leviticus 10:15 in the Septuagint is a masterclass in priestly syntax, revealing how grammatical structure mirrors sacred hierarchy.… Learn Koine Greek

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Reaching the Limit: Grammatical Precision and Apostolic Geography in 2 Corinthians 10:14

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς· ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, (2 Corinthians 10:14)

For we are not overextending ourselves as though not reaching to you, for we did come even as far as you with the gospel of Christ.

Paul’s defense of his apostleship in 2 Corinthians is as much grammatical as theological. In this verse, he argues that his authority legitimately extends to the Corinthians because his ministry has already reached them through the gospel. The sentence is syntactically intricate: a negated comparative clause (οὐ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι), a middle verb of extent (ὑπερεκτείνομεν), and a completed action verb (ἐφθάσαμεν) together create a dynamic blend of metaphor and precision.… Learn Koine Greek

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Peace That Moves: Conditional Syntax and the Return of Blessing

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Καὶ ἐὰν μὲν ᾖ ἡ οἰκία ἀξία, ἐλθέτω ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν ἐπ’ αὐτήν· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ᾖ ἀξία, ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐπιστραφήτω. (Matthew 10:13)

And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Two Conditions, One Peace

In Matthew 10:13, Jesus gives his disciples a striking instruction about the transferability of peace. The sentence is built on two parallel conditional clauses—one positive and one negative—each governed by the particle ἐάν and the subjunctive of εἰμί (ᾖ). The syntax enacts the teaching: peace goes forth, yet peace returns.… Learn Koine Greek

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Declensions of Blessing: Case Usage in Matthew 10:12

Posted on October 12, 2025 by New Testament Greek

Εἰσερχόμενοι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν ἀσπάσασθε αὐτήν λέγοντες· εἰρήνη τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ. (Matthew 10:12)

And when you enter the house, greet it, saying: “Peace to this house.”

Declension Analysis Table Greek Form Morphology Case & Function Notes τὴν οἰκίαν 1st declension feminine accusative singular with article Accusative object of preposition εἰς Indicates the destination of entry — “into the house.” αὐτήν 3rd person pronoun, accusative feminine singular Accusative direct object of ἀσπάσασθε Refers back to οἰκίαν; “greet it.” εἰρήνη 1st declension feminine nominative singular Nominative subject (of implied verb “be”) The greeting itself: “Peace.” The nominative is used in a formulaic exclamation of blessing.… Learn Koine Greek

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