You Are Our Letter: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of 2 Corinthians 3:2

ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε, ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν, γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων.

You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people. (2 Corinthians 3:2)

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis

• ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν — Nominative singular noun with possessive genitive pronoun “our letter.” The article makes the phrase definite and emphatic.
• ὑμεῖς ἐστε — Independent pronoun ὑμεῖς (“you”) used for emphasis. ἐστε is present indicative of εἰμί, second person plural: “you are.”
• ἐγγεγραμμένη — Perfect passive participle of ἐγγράφω, nominative feminine singular, modifying ἐπιστολή: “having been written.” The perfect tense implies a completed action with lasting results.
• ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν — Prepositional phrase: “in our hearts.” Locative use of ἐν + dative plural noun and pronoun.
• γινωσκομένη — Present passive participle, nominative feminine singular, from γινώσκω: “being known.” Continual or habitual recognition by others.
• ἀναγινωσκομένη — Present passive participle, nominative feminine singular, from ἀναγινώσκω: “being read.” Closely coordinated with γινωσκομένη to form a participial pair.
• ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων — Agent phrase with ὑπό + genitive: “by all people.” Standard construction for expressing agency in passive voice.

Comparison with Classical Greek Usage

• Metaphorical ἐπιστολή — The use of “letter” as a metaphor for a living testimony is distinctively Pauline and reflects a Koine rhetorical development. In Classical Greek, ἐπιστολή is strictly a written document.
• Perfect passive participle ἐγγεγραμμένη — Perfect tense is rare in Classical participial adjectives and tends to occur in limited formulaic expressions. Koine employs it more freely for metaphorical permanence.
• Coordinated participles γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη — Koine uses such paired participles frequently for rhetorical rhythm and semantic fullness. Classical authors might prefer finite verbs or relative clauses.
• Expressiveness of the independent pronoun ὑμεῖς — Emphatic subject pronouns are used sparingly in Classical Greek. In Koine, such emphatic usage is more acceptable and often expressive in tone.
• Use of ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις — The heart as the seat of moral/spiritual consciousness is emphasized far more in biblical Koine than in Classical, where καρδία often referred to emotion or courage but not the inner moral self.

Semantic and Stylistic Shifts

• Living metaphor — Paul’s use of “letter” to refer to human character is a unique theological metaphor, foreign to Classical secular prose.
• Spiritual interiority — Writing “in hearts” introduces a relational and inner dimension absent in Classical legalistic or rhetorical contexts.
• Rhythmic pairing — The verbal symmetry of γινωσκομένη and ἀναγινωσκομένη reflects Koine’s love for verbal patterning, aiding oral retention and emphasis.
• Public versus private domains — The phrase “by all people” underscores a public witness in Koine that parallels Classical concern for reputation but is now theologically oriented.

Koine and Classical Comparison Table