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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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Category
Author Archives: New Testament Greek
Power in Weakness: Divine Strength and the Subjunctive of Purpose in 2 Corinthians 12:9
Καὶ εἴρηκέ μοι· ἀρκεῖ σοι ἡ χάρις μου· ἡ γὰρ δύναμίς μου ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελειοῦται. ἥδιστα οὖν μᾶλλον καυχήσομαι ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου, ἵνα ἐπισκηνώσῃ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Χριστοῦ. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
And he has said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will rather boast most gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell upon me.
The Grammar of Surrender and Strength2 Corinthians 12:9 records the Lord’s personal word to Paul in response to his plea for relief. But the answer is unexpected and transformative: not deliverance, but grace.… Learn Koine Greek
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Fragments that Speak: Greek Grammar in a Question of Memory
Ὅτε τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους ἔκλασα εἰς τοὺς πεντακισχιλίους, καὶ πόσους κοφίνους κλασμάτων πλήρεις ἤρατε; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· δώδεκα. (Mark 8:19)
When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? They say to him, “Twelve.”
Today we analyze a single interrogative sentence from Jesus that is both grammatically intricate and theologically evocative: ὅτε τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους ἔκλασα εἰς τοὺς πεντακισχιλίους, καὶ πόσους κοφίνους κλασμάτων πλήρεις ἤρατε; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· δώδεκα from Mark 8:19. It is a question designed not for information, but for confrontation — and grammar plays a crucial role in shaping that rhetorical impact.… Learn Koine Greek
She Held a Grudge: Imperfects and the Tension of Unfulfilled Malice in Mark 6:19
Ἡ δὲ Ἡρῳδιὰς ἐνεῖχεν αὐτῷ καὶ ἤθελεν αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο· (Mark 6:19)
But Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him; and she was not able.
When Verbs Smolder: The Force of the Imperfect TenseThis compact verse in Mark captures the simmering hatred of Herodias toward John the Baptist. Its power lies not in a dramatic climax, but in the tension between desire and inability, sustained by the grammatical fabric of imperfect verbs. Every verb in this verse is in the imperfect tense, creating a cinematic effect: a long-burning resentment that cannot yet ignite into action.… Learn Koine Greek
The Urgency of Ritual Purity: Final Clauses, Passive Subjunctives, and Coordinated Requests
Οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ, ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν· ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου· ἠρώτησαν τὸν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν. (John 19:31)
So the Jews, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, because it was the Preparation, for that Sabbath day was great, asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken away.
When Timing Meets TheologyJohn 19:31 is not just a historical footnote — it’s a theologically dense verse about urgency, religious custom, and human action at the crucifixion.… Learn Koine Greek
The Call from the Tree: Imperatives, Aorists, and Divine Necessity in Luke 19:5
Καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτόν καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. (Luke 19:5)
And when he came to the place, Jesus looked up, saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
The Grammatical Rhythm of EncounterIn this pivotal moment, Jesus addresses Zacchaeus directly, initiating one of the most theologically rich personal encounters in the Gospel of Luke. The Greek grammar intensifies the scene’s emotion and urgency, blending participles, imperatives, and the powerful verb δεῖ (“it is necessary”) to convey both divine appointment and immediacy.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Luke 19:4
Καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι δι’ ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. (Luke 19:4)
And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see him, because he was about to pass that way.
Purpose Clause with ἵνα and Complementary Infinitive with Imperfect of IntentionThis verse describes Zacchaeus’ eager action to see Jesus. It includes a temporal participle, a purpose clause, and an imperfect verb of intent followed by a complementary infinitive. The grammar contributes to the narrative energy and forward motion.
Aorist Participle: προδραμώνπροδραμών is an aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular, from προτρέχω (“to run ahead”).… Learn Koine Greek
Groaning in the Tent: Verbal Tensions in 2 Corinthians 5:4
Καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν, βαρούμενοι ἐφ’ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς. (2 Corinthians 5:4)
For indeed we who are in the tent groan, being burdened—not that we want to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Six Verbs of Mortal LongingThis densely packed verse describes the Christian’s yearning for resurrection glory through six Greek verbs. They capture existential pressure, hope, and eschatological transformation. These verbs are:
ὄντες — present participle, “being” στενάζομεν — present indicative, “we groan” βαρούμενοι — present participle, “being burdened” θέλομεν — present indicative, “we want” (with a negation) ἐκδύσασθαι — aorist middle infinitive, “to be unclothed” ἐπενδύσασθαι — aorist middle infinitive, “to be clothed over” καταποθῇ — aorist passive subjunctive, “might be swallowed up” Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ὄντες Lexical Form εἰμί Tense Present Voice Active Mood Participle Case/Number/Gender Nom.… Learn Koine GreekAspect and Negation in Koine Greek: The Case of ἠδυνήθησαν in Hebrews 3:19
Καὶ βλέπομεν ὅτι οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν εἰσελθεῖν δι’ ἀπιστίαν. (Hebrews 3:19)
And we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
The Grammatical Core: Tense, Aspect, and VoiceThis verse contains a compact but theologically loaded statement. The key verb, ἠδυνήθησαν, raises an essential grammatical question about tense, aspect, and negation in Koine Greek. In this article, we will explore how the aorist passive deponent form interacts with negation and how it affects the temporal and aspectual contours of the statement.
Dissecting the VerbsLet’s examine the two primary verbs in this sentence:
Greek Parsing Meaning βλέπομεν Present active indicative, 1st person plural of βλέπω “We see” — present, continuous action ἠδυνήθησαν Aorist passive deponent indicative, 3rd person plural of δύναμαι “They were not able” — viewed as a whole event What Is a Deponent Passive?… Learn Koine GreekGreek Grammar Lesson from 1 Timothy 3:6
Μὴ νεόφυτον, ἵνα μὴ τυφωθεὶς εἰς κρίμα ἐμπέσῃ τοῦ διαβόλου. (1 Timothy 3:6)
Not a recent convert, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Subjunctive Purpose Clause with Aorist Passive ParticipleThis verse, part of the qualifications for overseers, demonstrates how Greek syntax expresses caution and consequence. It features a negative command, a purpose clause, and a passive participle indicating a precondition.
Adjective Used Substantivally: νεόφυτοννεόφυτον (“newly planted,” i.e., a recent convert) is an accusative singular adjective used substantivally. It is the object of an implied verb such as χειροτονείτω (“he must not appoint”) from the broader context.… Learn Koine Greek
They Burned the Books: Aorist Verbs and Volitional Finality in Acts 19:19
In ἱκανοὶ δὲ τῶν τὰ περίεργα πραξάντων συνενέγκαντες τὰς βίβλους κατέκαιον ἐνώπιον πάντων· καὶ συνεψήφισαν τὰς τιμὰς αὐτῶν καὶ εὗρον ἀργυρίου μυριάδας πέντε (Acts 19:19), Luke narrates a dramatic turning point in Ephesus. Practitioners of magic renounce their former lives — not just inwardly, but visibly and economically — by publicly burning their spellbooks. The grammar here is ablaze with meaning: a cascade of aorist participles and indicative verbs captures a decisive, irrevocable act. The Greek doesn’t merely report events — it performs their finality.
Morphological Breakdown ἱκανοὶ – Root: ἱκανός Form: nominative masculine plural adjective Lexical Meaning: “many,” “a considerable number” Contextual Notes: Often denotes sufficiency or quantity — “a good number of them.”… Learn Koine Greek