Adjectives in New Testament Greek are descriptive words that modify nouns and pronouns. They agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case, and they function in a variety of syntactic roles. Mastery of adjectives is essential for interpreting meaning, nuance, and emphasis in Koine Greek texts.
1. Definition of Adjectives
An adjective (Greek: ἐπίθετον) is a word that qualifies or describes a noun by providing information such as quality, quantity, or identity. In Greek, adjectives are declined—meaning they change form according to case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative), number (singular, plural), and gender (masculine, feminine, neuter).
Examples
- ἀγαθός – good
- μέγας – great
- πιστός – faithful
2. Forms and Agreement
Adjectives follow regular declension patterns (1st and 2nd declensions or 3rd declension) and must match the noun they modify in:
- Gender – masculine, feminine, neuter
- Number – singular or plural
- Case – determined by syntactic function in the sentence
Example: Matthew 5:8
μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ
“Blessed are the pure in heart.”
The adjective καθαροὶ (pure) agrees with the noun οἱ (masculine plural subject) in gender, number, and case.
3. Functions of Adjectives
Adjectives can appear in one of three main syntactic positions:
3.1 Attributive Position
The adjective describes a noun and typically appears with the article:
- ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἀνήρ – the good man
- τὸ ζῶον τὸ μικρόν – the small animal
This is the most common descriptive use. The adjective is bound closely to the noun.
3.2 Predicate Position
The adjective appears without the article and functions predicatively, asserting something about the subject:
- ὁ ἀνήρ ἀγαθός – the man is good
- ἀγαθὸς ὁ θεός – God is good
Though there’s no explicit verb “to be” in Greek, the predicate adjective implies it.
3.3 Substantive Use
An adjective may function as a noun (i.e., as a substantive) when the noun it modifies is omitted and understood from context:
- οἱ πτωχοί – the poor
- τὸ καλόν – the good (thing)
This use is frequent in moral or theological statements.
4. Comparison of Adjectives
Greek adjectives also have degrees of comparison:
- Positive: basic quality (e.g., καλός – good)
- Comparative: greater quality (e.g., καλλίων – better)
- Superlative: greatest quality (e.g., κράτιστος – best)
However, Koine Greek often prefers periphrastic constructions for comparison (e.g., “more than”) instead of morphological comparatives.
5. Summary Table: Adjective Functions
| Position | Structure | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attributive | Article + Adjective + Noun or Article + Noun + Article + Adjective |
Describes the noun | ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἀνήρ – the good man |
| Predicate | Adjective + Noun or Noun + Adjective (no article on adjective) |
Asserts a quality | ὁ ἀνήρ ἀγαθός – the man is good |
| Substantive | Article + Adjective (no noun) | Functions as a noun | οἱ πτωχοί – the poor |
6. Adjectives as Theological and Rhetorical Tools
Adjectives in New Testament Greek are far more than grammatical add-ons—they are precision tools for expressing qualities of God, ethical character, and theological truths. Whether identifying the “righteous,” contrasting the “faithful” and “unfaithful,” or describing the “eternal” kingdom, adjectives clarify and intensify the message. Grasping how they function, especially in their nuanced positions, opens a clearer window into the inspired text.
