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.”
- ἐξουσίαν – accusative feminine singular noun, “authority, right.”
- ἀλλ’ – strong adversative conjunction (“but”), contraction of ἀλλά before a vowel.
- ἵνα – introduces a purpose clause (“in order that”).
- ἑαυτοὺς – accusative masculine plural reflexive pronoun, “ourselves.”
- τύπον – accusative masculine singular noun, “example, model, pattern.”
- δῶμεν – aorist active subjunctive 1st plural from δίδωμι, “we might give.”
- ὑμῖν – dative plural pronoun, “to you.”
- εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι – prepositional phrase (“into the imitating”); μιμεῖσθαι is the present middle infinitive from μιμέομαι, “to imitate.”
- ἡμᾶς – accusative plural pronoun, “us.”
How Modern Greek Would Say It
Όχι επειδή δεν έχουμε εξουσία, αλλά για να σας δώσουμε ένα παράδειγμα για να μας μιμηθείτε.
Noteworthy Shifts
- οὐχ ὅτι → όχι επειδή: “not because” rephrased with a different causal connector.
- οὐκ ἔχομεν → δεν έχουμε: Simple negative + present active maintained with modern form.
- ἵνα δῶμεν → για να δώσουμε: Infinitive-purpose constructions replaced by να + subjunctive.
- ἑαυτοὺς τύπον → ένα παράδειγμα: Reflexive pronoun dropped; simplified noun phrase (“an example”).
- εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι → για να μας μιμηθείτε: Articular infinitive replaced by να + verb construction.
Changes at a Glance
| Feature | Koine Greek | Modern Greek | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative Causal Clause | οὐχ ὅτι | όχι επειδή | Modern Greek prefers “όχι” + “επειδή“ |
| Purpose Clause | ἵνα δῶμεν | για να δώσουμε | Articular infinitive replaced by να + subjunctive |
| Reflexive Usage | ἑαυτοὺς τύπον | ένα παράδειγμα | Reflexive nuance lost in simplification |
| Infinitive of Purpose | εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι | για να μας μιμηθείτε | Modern uses full subordinate clause instead of articular infinitive |
From Examples to Expressions
This verse reveals how Koine Greek packaged reasons and goals inside infinitives and reflexive structures, squeezing thought into compact expressions. Modern Greek, needing clearer roadsigns, stretches ideas into fuller clauses with helper words like για να and simplifies complex noun-pronoun bundles into familiar phrases. Yet both tongues uphold the same heartbeat: to lead by example, not by force.
