-
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
-
Category
Author Archives: New Testament Greek
Sorrow and Speech: A Greek Look at John 16:6
Ἀλλ’ ὅτι ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν, ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκε ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν. (John 16:6)
But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Cause and Emotional Response ἀλλ’ ὅτι – “But because.” The conjunction ἀλλά introduces contrast, while ὅτι (“because”) gives the reason. Together, they set up a shift from expectation to emotion: the disciples are not asking questions about Jesus’ departure (see John 16:5), but are overcome with grief.ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν – “I have spoken these things to you.”
λελάληκα is the perfect active indicative of λαλέω, “to speak.” The perfect tense emphasizes the abiding effect of Jesus’ words—what he said continues to weigh on them.… Learn Koine GreekInstruction and Imitation in 1 Corinthians 16:1: Syntax of Directive and Ecclesial Unity in Pauline Greek
Περὶ δὲ τῆς λογείας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους, ὥσπερ διέταξα ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Γαλατίας, οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιήσατε. (1 Corinthians 16:1)
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so also you must do.
Topical Marker and Genitive Construction: Περὶ δὲ τῆς λογείας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους– Περὶ: Preposition governing the genitive – “concerning,” “regarding.” – δὲ: Coordinating conjunction, transitioning to a new topic—”now,” or “and.” – τῆς λογείας: Genitive singular feminine of λογεία, “collection,” especially a charitable contribution. – τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους: Attributive phrase – “for the saints.” – εἰς with accusative expresses purpose or direction.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions of Judgment: The Grammar of Compassion in Matthew 25:45
Τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. (Matthew 25:45)
Then he will answer them, saying, “Truly I say to you, insofar as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
When Case Usage Reveals the Weight of ActionIn this solemn pronouncement of judgment, Jesus uses sharp grammatical structure to expose the implications of neglecting “the least.” The verse pivots on dative and genitive forms that identify recipients of compassion—or the lack thereof. The pronouns and demonstratives are declined with precision to frame a universal judgment grounded in specific grammatical choices.… Learn Koine Greek
Imperatives in the Aorist: The Voice of Prophetic Joy
In καὶ πάλιν λέγει· εὐφράνθητε ἔθνη μετὰ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ (Romans 15:10, quoting Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX), Paul draws on the voice of Scripture to make a powerful theological claim — but it is Greek grammar, and specifically the aorist imperative εὐφράνθητε, that delivers the rhetorical thunder. In Koine Greek, the imperative mood does more than command — it invites, exhorts, even celebrates. And when that imperative appears in the aorist, it bursts with finality and force. The verse, though brief, becomes a linguistic shout across nations: “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people!”
Here, a divine call to joy is issued to the nations (τὰ ἔθνη) — but the grammar embeds a subtle and profound theology: joy is not merely habitual or ongoing (as the present imperative would suggest); it is definitive, celebratory, almost eschatological.… Learn Koine Greek
Hear and Understand: A Call to Discernment in Matthew 15:10
καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν ὄχλον εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἀκούετε καὶ συνίετε
In Matthew 15:10, Jesus turns from confrontation with the Pharisees to address the gathered crowd directly. The Greek text captures both a shift in focus and a summons to deeper spiritual comprehension. The structure is tight and imperative—this is not a suggestion, but a command to perceive rightly.
Grammatical Foundationsκαὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν ὄχλον—“And calling the crowd to himself.” The verb προσκαλεσάμενος is an aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular, from προσκαλέομαι—“to summon” or “call toward oneself.” It modifies the implied subject (Jesus) and indicates the preliminary action before he speaks.
εἶπεν αὐτοῖς—“he said to them.”… Learn Koine Greek
If You Think Otherwise: Conditional Clauses and Divine Disclosure in Philippians 3:15
In Ὅσοι οὖν τέλειοι, τοῦτο φρονῶμεν· καὶ εἴ τι ἑτέρως φρονεῖτε, καὶ τοῦτο ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῖν ἀποκαλύψει (Philippians 3:15), Paul addresses those who consider themselves spiritually mature. But rather than rebuke those who might disagree, he employs a first-class conditional clause — εἴ τι ἑτέρως φρονεῖτε — to allow space for disagreement and correction. The structure is striking: Paul assumes the possibility of differing views, yet calmly asserts that God himself will make truth known. The Greek syntax here balances exhortation, humility, and assurance through conditional construction and verb tense precision.
Morphological Breakdown Ὅσοι – Root: ὅσος Form: nominative masculine plural relative pronoun Lexical Meaning: “as many as,” “all who” Contextual Notes: Introduces the inclusive category — the spiritually mature group being addressed.… Learn Koine GreekWhen Perfection Waits: The Grammar of Humble Aspiration
In today’s lesson, we dive into a short but profound expression of spiritual humility through New Testament Greek grammar: ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔπω λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι from Philippians 3:13. This small segment of Paul’s letter reveals striking insights into aspect, voice, and perspective — showing how even a few words in Greek can capture a complex inner journey of striving toward spiritual maturity.
The Greek Text in Focusἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔπω λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι (Philippians 3:13)
“Brothers, I do not yet consider myself to have taken hold.”
Grammatical HighlightsThis powerful statement includes important grammatical elements that deserve close attention:
ἀδελφοί — vocative plural, directly addressing the audience (“brothers”).… Learn Koine GreekThe Declensions of Humiliation: Morphology in Mark 15:20
Καὶ ὅτε ἐνέπαιξαν αὐτῷ, ἐξέδυσαν αὐτὸν τὴν πορφύραν καὶ ἐνέδυσαν αὐτὸν τὰ ἱμάτια τὰ ἴδια, καὶ ἐξάγουσιν αὐτὸν ἵνα σταυρώσωσιν αὐτόν. (Mark 15:20)
And when they had mocked Him, they took off from Him the purple robe and dressed Him in His own garments, and they lead Him out so that they might crucify Him.
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes αὐτῷ (first occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, dative masculine singular Dative of indirect object “To Him” — recipient of the mockery αὐτόν (first occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of ἐξέδυσαν Him — the one being stripped τὴν πορφύραν Noun, accusative feminine singular with article Accusative object, specifying what was removed “The purple robe” — royal mockery garment αὐτόν (second occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of ἐνέδυσαν Him — the one being dressed τὰ ἱμάτια Noun, accusative neuter plural with article Accusative object, what was put on Him “The garments” — His original clothing τὰ ἴδια Adjective functioning substantively, accusative neuter plural Attributive to ἱμάτια “His own” — marks personal possession αὐτόν (third occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of ἐξάγουσιν Him — the one being led out αὐτόν (fourth occurrence) 3rd person pronoun, accusative masculine singular Accusative direct object of σταυρώσωσιν Him — the one to be crucified Datives and Accusatives in Narrative FlowThe sole dative (αὐτῷ) anchors the opening clause, marking the target of ridicule.… Learn Koine Greek
Better We Seem Unworthy: Subjunctives, Purpose, and Paradox in 2 Corinthians 13:7
Εὔχομαι δὲ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλ’ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν. (2 Corinthians 13:7)
Apostolic Prayer or Apostolic Self-Denial?
This verse captures Paul’s ethical intensity and rhetorical genius. He does not simply express a desire for the Corinthians to avoid evil; he prays for it (εὔχομαι), not for his own vindication, but for their moral excellence—even if it means appearing unapproved himself.
Grammatically, the verse hinges on final clauses introduced by ἵνα, purposefully shaping the logic of Paul’s prayer. Each verb form and clause bears the weight of ethical and theological tension.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions in Testimony: How Case and Pronoun Shape Discipleship in John 15:27
Καὶ ὑμεῖς δὲ μαρτυρεῖτε, ὅτι ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐστε. (John 15:27)
And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me.
The Syntax of Witness and WithnessThis verse climaxes Jesus’ teaching on the coming of the Paraclete and the witness of His followers. It moves from mission to identity using a series of declined personal pronouns and prepositional phrases. Though short, the verse is rich with grammatical nuance—linking testimony not just to speech, but to a shared relational history “from the beginning.”
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ὑμεῖς 2nd person plural personal pronoun, nominative Subject of μαρτυρεῖτε Emphatic due to position and pronoun choice; indicates “you yourselves” ἀρχῆς 1st declension feminine genitive singular noun Genitive object of preposition ἀπό “From the beginning” — temporal genitive defining the witness’s origin ἐμοῦ 1st person singular personal pronoun, genitive Object of preposition μετά “With me” — genitive used after μετά in sense of association Case and Emphasis: The Force of Pronouns– ὑμεῖς (nominative) is not required grammatically since the verb μαρτυρεῖτε already encodes 2nd person plural.… Learn Koine Greek
