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Greek Lessons
- Grammatical Resistance: Pharaoh’s Syntax of Control in Exodus 10:11
- The Accusation in Quotation: Pauline Perception and Koine Rhetoric
- Healing and Heralding: The Grammar of Kingdom Nearness
- The Word Near You: Syntax, Faith, and the Internalization of Truth in Romans 10:8
- Synonyms: Image and Likeness: εἰκών, ὁμοίωσις, and ὁμοίωμα in the Greek New Testament
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Author Archives: New Testament Greek
A Comprehensive Guide to NT Greek Particles by Frequency
Understanding the role of particles in NT Greek is vital for anyone studying the New Testament. Recognizing how these small words function can significantly enhance comprehension and interpretation of the text. As students become familiar with the various particles, they will be better equipped to appreciate the nuances and depth of meaning found in the original language of the Scriptures.
1. Introduction to Greek ParticlesIn the study of New Testament Greek, particles are small words that play a crucial role in the construction and interpretation of sentences. Despite their brevity, particles significantly impact the meaning and flow of discourse, serving various functions that enhance communication.… Learn Koine Greek
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Declensions in Narrative Description: Morphology in Acts 10:1
Ἀνὴρ δέ τις ἐν Καισαρείᾳ ὀνόματι Κορνήλιος, ἑκατοντάρχης ἐκ σπείρης τῆς καλουμένης Ἰταλικῆς,
(Acts 10:1)
Now a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion from the cohort called the Italian,
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes Ἀνήρ Noun, nominative masculine singular Subject Main subject introducing the character Καισαρείᾳ Proper noun, dative feminine singular Locative dative Indicates location — “in Caesarea” ὀνόματι Noun, dative neuter singular Dative of respect Specifies “by name” Κορνήλιος Proper noun, nominative masculine singular Apposition to ἀνήρ Identifies the man by name ἑκατοντάρχης Noun, nominative masculine singular Apposition to Κορνήλιος Indicates his military role as a centurion σπείρης Noun, genitive feminine singular Genitive of whole Specifies the military unit he belongs to Ἰταλικῆς Adjective, genitive feminine singular Attributive to σπείρης Describes the cohort as Italian Nominatives Establishing the Main CharacterThe nominatives Ἀνήρ, Κορνήλιος, and ἑκατοντάρχης layer identity: a man, named Cornelius, holding the office of centurion.… Learn Koine Greek
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Laid at the Apostles’ Feet: Generosity in Acts 4:37
Ὑπάρχοντος αὐτῷ ἀγροῦ, πωλήσας ἤνεγκε τὸ χρῆμα καὶ ἔθηκε παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τῶν ἀποστόλων (Acts 4:37)
Since he owned a field, having sold it, he brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
ὑπάρχοντος αὐτῷ ἀγροῦ: Possession StatedThis participial phrase sets up the background for the action:
– ὑπάρχοντος is the present active participle, genitive masculine singular of ὑπάρχω, meaning “to exist” or “to belong.” – αὐτῷ — dative singular pronoun, “to him.” – ἀγροῦ — genitive singular of ἀγρός, “field.”
Grammatically, this is a genitive absolute construction: “Since a field was belonging to him” or “While he possessed a field.”… Learn Koine Greek
Doctrinal Divide: Resurrection and Angels in Acts 23:8
Σαδδουκαῖοι μὲν γὰρ λέγουσι μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα, Φαρισαῖοι δὲ ὁμολογοῦσι τὰ ἀμφότερα. (Acts 23:8)
Acts 23:8 provides a succinct summary of the theological differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees—one of the most significant internal divisions within first-century Judaism. Paul, aware of this division, strategically references the resurrection in verse 6 to cause division among his accusers. The Greek text here is compact and balanced, using a μὲν…δὲ construction to contrast belief systems.
Grammatical FoundationsΣαδδουκαῖοι μὲν γὰρ λέγουσι μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα—“For the Sadducees say there is neither a resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit.”… Learn Koine Greek
Division in the Dialogue: Greek Grammar and the Ripple of a Word
This verse from the book of Acts captures the explosive outcome of a single statement. The grammar combines a genitive absolute, a narrative aorist, and passive voice to describe how one utterance caused theological chaos: τοῦτο δὲ αὐτοῦ λαλήσαντος ἐγένετο στάσις τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ τῶν Σαδδουκαίων, καὶ ἐσχίσθη τὸ πλῆθος from Acts 23:7. The syntax powerfully conveys how speech can fracture a crowd and incite ideological conflict.
The Greek Text in Focusτοῦτο δὲ αὐτοῦ λαλήσαντος ἐγένετο στάσις τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ τῶν Σαδδουκαίων, καὶ ἐσχίσθη τὸ πλῆθος (Acts 23:7)
“And when he had said this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the crowd was divided.”… Learn Koine Greek
Of Greetings and Titles: The Craving for Honor in Matthew 23:7
Matthew 23:7 is part of Jesus’ powerful denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees — a chapter known for its “woes.” In the opening verses, Jesus exposes the gap between their public religious performance and their private hypocrisy. Verse 7 continues the list of behaviors that reveal their desire for prominence, focusing here on how they seek recognition both socially and religiously. The syntax is deceptively simple but rich with theological irony.
Structural Analysisκαὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς καὶ καλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ῥαββὶ ῥαββί.
This verse consists of two parallel desires: (1) τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς — “the greetings in the marketplaces” and (2) καλεῖσθαι…ῥαββὶ ῥαββί — “to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”… Learn Koine Greek
Pauline Benediction and Gracious Presence in Philippians 4:23: Syntax, Word Order, and Communal Emphasis
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν· ἀμήν.
Nominative Subject and Theological Center: Ἡ χάρις
– Ἡ: Definite article, nominative singular feminine—”the.” – χάρις: Nominative singular feminine noun—”grace.” – Acts as the subject of an implied verb (often supplied as “be” or “be with”). – In Paul’s letters, χάρις represents the unmerited favor, kindness, and saving activity of God mediated through Christ.
Genitive of Source or Possession: τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ– τοῦ κυρίου: Genitive singular masculine of κύριος—”of the Lord.” – Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ: Genitive singular proper names—”Jesus Christ.” – Apposition to τοῦ κυρίου, identifying which Lord is meant.… Learn Koine Greek
Visible Righteousness: The Morphology of Matthew 23:5
Three Verbs, One Hypocrisy
In this sharp critique of the Pharisees, Jesus uses three present tense verbs to reveal a pattern of behavior centered on visibility and pride. Let’s examine the verbs:
ποιοῦσι — present active indicative, “they do” πλατύνουσι — present active indicative, “they broaden” μεγαλύνουσι — present active indicative, “they enlarge”All three verbs reinforce the idea of habitual, ongoing religious performance aimed at public attention.
Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ποιοῦσι Lexical Form ποιέω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Ongoing behavior—they habitually do these works Verb: πλατύνουσι Lexical Form πλατύνω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force They habitually enlarge their phylacteries to appear pious Verb: μεγαλύνουσι Lexical Form μεγαλύνω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force They repeatedly and actively increase the size of tassels as visual signals of holiness
The Imperfective Aspect: A Pattern of Display
Each of the three verbs is in the present tense, emphasizing continuous or repeated action:
ποιοῦσι: They continually do their deeds—not as a one-off event but as a pattern of religious performance.… Learn Koine GreekReligious Display and Externalism in Matthew 23:5: Purpose Clauses and Public Performance in Greek Syntax
πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσι πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, πλατύνουσι γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα τῶν ἰματίων αὐτῶν,
Main Clause and Intentional Motivation: πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσι πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις– πάντα: Accusative neuter plural of πᾶς—”all.” – τὰ ἔργα: Accusative neuter plural of ἔργον, “deeds” or “works.” – πάντα τὰ ἔργα: “all the deeds”—complete inclusion. – αὐτῶν: Genitive plural pronoun—”of them,” modifying ἔργα. – ποιοῦσι: Present active indicative, 3rd person plural of ποιέω, “they do.” – δὲ: Mildly contrastive—”but,” continuing from v. 4. – πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι: Preposition πρὸς + articular infinitive—”in order to be seen.”… Learn Koine Greek
Hypocrisy and Legal Burden in Matthew 23:4: Coordinated Verbs, Contrastive Dative, and Accusation through Syntax
δεσμεύουσιν γὰρ φορτία βαρέα καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, τῷ δὲ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσι κινῆσαι αὐτά.
Introduction with Causal Particle and Present Verbs: δεσμεύουσιν γὰρ φορτία βαρέα
– δεσμεύουσιν: Present active indicative, 3rd person plural of δεσμεύω, “they tie up,” “they bind.” – Present tense implies habitual or ongoing action. – γάρ: Causal particle—”for,” introducing an explanation for a previous statement (e.g., Jesus’ accusation in v. 3). – φορτία: Accusative plural neuter noun—”burdens,” “loads.” – βαρέα: Accusative plural neuter adjective—”heavy.” – Modifies φορτία; emphasizes the oppressive weight. – Together: “For they bind heavy burdens…”
Coordinated Verb and Spatial Image: καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων– καὶ: Coordinating conjunction—”and.”… Learn Koine Greek
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