Monthly Archives: October 2017

The Aorist That Passes Away: Transience and Permanence in 1 John 2:17

In καὶ ὁ κόσμος παράγεται καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα (1 John 2:17), John presents a profound contrast between what is fading and what endures. The grammatical tension hinges on two verbs: παράγεται (is passing away) and μένει (remains). One is passive and transient; the other is active and eternal. Greek grammar doesn’t just state the theological point — it performs it. The world is in the passive voice, swept along by time. The doer of God’s will remains — with present active force — into the age to come.

Morphological Breakdown καὶ – Root: καί Form: coordinating conjunction Lexical Meaning: “and” Contextual Notes: Links both the world and its desires as elements passing away.… Learn Koine Greek
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Not Because We Lack Authority: A Grammar Voyage through 2 Thessalonians 3:9

2 Thessalonians 3:9

οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν, ἀλλ’ ἵνα ἑαυτοὺς τύπον δῶμεν ὑμῖν εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς.

Modern Greek Pronunciation: ouch óti ouk échomen exousían, all’ ína eaftoús týpon dómen ymín eis to mimísthai imás.

Literal English Translation: Not because we do not have authority, but in order that we might give ourselves as a model to you for you to imitate us.

Walking through Koine Grammar οὐχ – emphatic negation (“not”), placed before vowel with rough breathing for smooth reading. ὅτι – conjunction, here meaning “because” introducing a causal clause. οὐκ ἔχομεν – οὐκ + present active indicative 1st plural from ἔχω, “we do not have.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Doing Good While We Have Time: A Call to Active Love in Galatians 6:10

ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν, ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας, μάλιστα δὲ πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως

Galatians 6:10 gives a warm and urgent exhortation to proactive love and goodness. The Greek structure ties opportunity, action, and spiritual family together into a seamless vision of Christian living that is timely, practical, and deeply communal.

Grammatical Foundations

ἄρα οὖν—“Therefore then.” This double particle (ἄρα and οὖν) strengthens the inference: a strong conclusion based on preceding truths about sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–9).

ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν—”as we have opportunity.”

ὡς introduces the conditional clause: “inasmuch as,” or “while.” καιρόν—accusative singular from καιρός, meaning “an appointed time,” “opportunity,” or “season.”… Learn Koine Greek
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