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Greek Lessons
- Vindicated at the Table: How Speech Condemns and Grammar Acquits
- Carried, Not Carrying: The Grammar That Topples Boasting
- Spliced into Abundance: The Grammar of Displacement and Participation in ἐνεκεντρίσθης
- When the Heart Expands Toward Ruin: The Grammar of Self-Watchfulness
- Living, Begetting, Dying: The Grammar of Time and Continuity
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Author Archives: New Testament Greek
Inside Out: The Verb Morphology of Mark 7:15
Οὐδέν ἐστιν ἔξωθεν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰσπορευόμενον εἰς αὐτὸν ὃ δύναται αὐτὸν κοινῶσαι, ἀλλὰ τὰ ἐκπορευόμενά ἐστι τὰ κοινοῦντα τὸν ἄνθρωπον. (Mark 7:15)
There is nothing outside the person going into him that is able to defile him, but the things coming out are what defile the person.
Five Verbs in a Paradigm ShiftThis radical declaration by Yeshua reframes purity and uncleanness—not as external ceremonial contamination, but as internal corruption. His words turn the purity laws inward through the morphology of five verbs:
ἐστιν — present indicative of being (“is”) εἰσπορευόμενον — present middle/passive participle (“going into”) δύναται — present middle/passive indicative (“is able”) ἐκπορευόμενά — present middle/passive participle (“coming out”) κοινοῦντα — present active participle (“defiling”)Each verb is carefully chosen to contrast inward reception with outward emission—redefining the locus of purity.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions in Heavenly Worship: Grammatical Harmony in Revelation 7:11
Καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄγγελοι εἱστήκεισαν κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων, καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ἐπὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ Θεῷ. (Revelation 7:11)
And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.
Heaven’s Syntax of AdorationThis majestic vision from Revelation orchestrates a cosmic scene of worship. The declensions in this verse play a symphonic role: nominatives show the participants, genitives form concentric spheres of authority and honor, and datives mark the divine recipient of glory.… Learn Koine Greek
Verbal Aspect in New Testament Greek: Imperfective vs. Perfective
One of the most significant developments in modern Greek linguistics is the recognition that verbal aspect—not primarily tense or time—forms the core of the New Testament Greek verb system. Aspect refers to the way an action is viewed or portrayed by the speaker: either as ongoing (imperfective), completed (perfective), or contemplated as developing toward completion (stative or perfect). This article focuses on the first two: imperfective and perfective aspect, which underlie most of the indicative and non-indicative forms in the New Testament.
1. What Is Verbal Aspect?Verbal aspect is the author’s or speaker’s perspective on the action—whether it is presented as unfolding or complete.… Learn Koine Greek
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Chiasmus, Inclusio, and Anaphora in New Testament Greek
Stylistic devices such as chiasmus, inclusio, and anaphora are not only literary ornaments in ancient texts, but integral features of New Testament Greek discourse. These rhetorical structures shape the way meaning is conveyed, arguments are emphasized, and memory is facilitated in oral and written proclamation. Recognizing and interpreting these features provides deeper exegetical insight and highlights the aesthetic sophistication of the New Testament authors, many of whom were trained in both Semitic and Greco-Roman rhetorical traditions.
1. Chiasmus: Inverted ParallelismChiasmus (from the Greek χίασμα, “crosswise arrangement”) is a literary device in which elements are presented in one order (A-B) and then repeated in reverse order (B-A).… Learn Koine Greek
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Semantic Range of Greek Verbs in the New Testament: A Case Study on ἀγαπάω and φιλέω
The verbs ἀγαπάω and φιλέω, both often translated as “to love,” exhibit distinct semantic profiles shaped by classical usage, Septuagintal influence, and New Testament theology. While φιλέω traditionally conveyed emotional affection, friendship, and personal attachment in Classical Greek, ἀγαπάω—though rarer—came to express volitional, covenantal love, especially in the Septuagint where it frequently translates the Hebrew אָהֵב in theological contexts. This distinction deepens in the New Testament, where ἀγαπάω dominates, particularly in Johannine and Pauline writings, to describe divine initiative, sacrificial love, and ethical imperatives. In contrast, φιλέω appears in more relational or human-centered contexts, such as familial bonds or friendship. The dialogue between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15–17, where both verbs alternate, has sparked debate over whether the variation is stylistic or theologically significant.… Learn Koine Greek
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From Jerusalem with Scrutiny: Fronting and Focus in Mark 7:1
The verse Καὶ συνάγονται πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καί τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐλθόντες ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων (Mark 7:1) is more than narrative setup. It’s a linguistic staging ground for confrontation, crafted through strategic word order, fronting, and participial embedding. Greek syntax here functions like stage lighting — illuminating both the movement and the motive of these religious leaders. The grammatical artistry reveals not just who came, but from where, and for what implicit purpose. When examined closely, this verse showcases the power of participial placement and focal movement in Koine narrative discourse.
Morphological Breakdown Καὶ – Root: καί Form: coordinating conjunction Lexical Meaning: “and” Contextual Notes: Continuation of narrative, linking this scene with prior episodes of tension and healing.… Learn Koine GreekGrace Beyond Demand: Participles and Imperatives in a Kingdom Ethic
παντὶ δὲ τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε δίδου, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντος τὰ σὰ μὴ ἀπαίτει. (Luke 6:30)
Radical Commands in Simple Grammar
In Luke 6:30, Jesus delivers a stark command that forms part of His ethical teaching in the “Sermon on the Plain.” Despite its simplicity in form, the grammar of this verse introduces us to essential features of Koine participles, imperative verbs, and Greek prepositions — all working together to communicate a revolutionary ethic of self-giving grace. The structure underscores both individual obligation and unconditional generosity.
1. Indirect Object with a Definite Participle: παντὶ δὲ τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε παντὶ – Dative singular of πᾶς, “to everyone” δὲ – Coordinating conjunction, “but” or “and” (softens the shift in emphasis) τῷ αἰτοῦντί – Dative singular masculine participle of αἰτέω, “the one asking” σε – Accusative singular pronoun, “you” (object of the participle)This phrase identifies the recipient of the action: “But to everyone who asks you…”
The participle αἰτοῦντι is in the dative case, functioning as the indirect object of the command that follows.… Learn Koine Greek
Worry and Growth: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Matthew 6:27
τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν ἕνα;
(Matthew 6:27)
But who among you, by worrying, is able to add one cubit to his lifespan?
Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν — Interrogative pronoun τίς (“who”) introduces a rhetorical question. δὲ marks contrast or continuation. ἐξ ὑμῶν (“from among you”) specifies the audience, a genitive of source. μεριμνῶν — Present active participle, nominative masculine singular of μεριμνάω (“to worry, be anxious”). It modifies τίς and highlights the ongoing nature of the action. δύναται — Present middle/passive indicative, 3rd singular from δύναμαι (“to be able”).… Learn Koine GreekWorry and Worth: A Greek Look at Matthew 6:25
Διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν τί φάγητε καὶ τί πίητε, μηδὲ τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν τί ἐνδύσησθε· οὐχὶ ἡ ψυχὴ πλεῖόν ἐστιν τῆς τροφῆς καὶ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ἐνδύματος; (Matthew 6:25)
For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life—what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not the life more than food and the body more than clothing?
The Rationale for TrustΔιὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν – “For this reason I say to you.”
Διὰ τοῦτο – “because of this,” referring back to the prior teaching on serving God versus wealth (v.… Learn Koine Greek
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Shame and Outcome: A Greek Look at Romans 6:21
Τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε ἐφ’ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε; τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος. (Romans 6:21)
What fruit then were you having at that time, from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
The Question of Fruit and Memoryτίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε – “What fruit then were you having at that time?”
τίνα – interrogative pronoun, accusative singular masculine/neuter: “what kind of…?” οὖν – logical connector: “then,” drawing a conclusion from the preceding contrast between slavery to sin and slavery to righteousness. καρπὸν – “fruit,” figurative for outcome or result of one’s moral/spiritual life.… Learn Koine Greek