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Greek Lessons
- When Greatness Turns Inside Out: The Grammar of Reversal in μείζων and μικρότερος
- When Repetition Becomes Revelation: The Gravity of ἐπὶ τρίς and the Ascent of ἅπαντα
- When Need Becomes Grammar: The Quiet Theology of τὸ ὑστέρημά μου
- When Fear Speaks in the Present Tense: The Urgency Hidden in νῦν ἐζήτουν
- When Testimony Meets Opposition: The Grammar of Conflict in Revelation 11:7
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Author Archives: New Testament Greek
The Will and the Timing: Apollos’ Delay in 1 Corinthians 16:12
1 Corinthians 16:12 appears near the close of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. After addressing matters of doctrine, ethics, and worship, Paul turns to personal and logistical concerns (ch. 16). In this verse, he explains the situation with Apollos — a respected teacher in Corinth (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6). Some Corinthians evidently wanted Apollos to return. Paul clarifies that while he urged Apollos to visit, Apollos chose not to do so at the present time, intending to come later when opportunity allowed.
Structural AnalysisΠερὶ δὲ Ἀπολλῶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ πολλὰ παρεκάλεσα αὐτὸν ἵνα ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν· καὶ πάντως οὐκ ἦν θέλημα ἵνα νῦν ἔλθῃ, ἐλεύσεται δὲ ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Mark 9:12
Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἠλίας μὲν ἐλθὼν πρῶτον ἀποκαθιστᾷ πάντα· καὶ πῶς γέγραπται ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἵνα πολλὰ πάθῃ καὶ ἐξουδενωθῇ; (Mark 9:12)
But answering, He said to them, ‘Elijah indeed comes first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He should suffer many things and be despised?'”
Focus Topic: Contrast with μὲν… καί, Aorist and Present Participles, and Purpose Clause with ἵναThis verse captures a moment of Christological teaching in response to the disciples’ question about Elijah. It uses contrast, rhetorical questioning, and a purpose clause to highlight the paradox of the suffering Son of Man despite the promised restoration.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions That Call and Cleanse: The Grammar of Divine Approach in James 4:8
Ἐγγίσατε τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ ἐγγιεῖ ὑμῖν. καθαρίσατε χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλοί καὶ ἁγνίσατε καρδίας δίψυχοι. (James 4:8)
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse hands, sinners, and purify hearts, double-minded ones.
Grammatical Structure and Spiritual UrgencyThis piercing exhortation from the epistle of James combines imperative verbs with powerfully declined nouns and vocatives. Through dative, accusative, and vocative cases, the verse calls for decisive, inward and outward repentance, grounding its message in formal syntactic clarity. The declensions not only identify who is being addressed—but what kind of transformation they need.
Declinable Elements: A Closer Look Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes τῷ Θεῷ 2nd declension masculine dative singular noun with article Dative of direction (“toward”) “Draw near to God” — the indirect object of nearness and communion ὑμῖν 2nd person personal pronoun, dative plural Dative of advantage (indirect object) “He will draw near to you” — reciprocal action marked by case parallel χεῖρας 3rd declension feminine accusative plural noun Accusative direct object of καθαρίσατε Outward deeds symbolized — the hands to be cleansed ἁμαρτωλοί 2nd declension masculine vocative plural adjective Vocative of direct address A wake-up call — identifying the audience as sinners καρδίας 1st declension feminine accusative plural noun Accusative direct object of ἁγνίσατε Symbolic of inner life — hearts must be purified δίψυχοι 2nd declension masculine vocative plural adjective Vocative of direct address Literally “double-souled” — denotes wavering loyalty Case Patterns and Theological Force– The dative τῷ Θεῷ and ὑμῖν frame a mutual approach: you move toward God, and He moves toward you.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from John 12:8
Τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε. (John 12:8)
For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
Focus Topic: Parallel Clauses with Emphatic Word Order and Temporal ContrastThis verse contains two parallel clauses with identical verbal structure but contrasting objects and adverbials. The grammar emphasizes the continual presence of the poor versus the temporary presence of Jesus through careful word order and placement of temporal adverbs.
Verb in Both Clauses: ἔχετεἔχετε — present active indicative, 2nd person plural, from ἔχω (“to have, to possess”). Used here relationally: “you have [with you].”… Learn Koine Greek
Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 28th Edition
This is the 28th edition of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28), a standard edition of the Greek New Testament used by New Testament scholars and Bible translators.
What’s New In Nestle-Aland 28th Edition Critical apparatus revised and easier to use . Papyrii 117-127 included for the first time . In-depth revision of the Catholic Epistles, with more than 30 changes to the upper text. Scripture references systematically reviewed for accuracy.The Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament that comes with this edition was prepared by Barclay M. Newman.
Textual Revisions and MethodologyThe Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, commonly referred to as NA28, introduces 34 textual changes within the Catholic Epistles.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Textual Criticism
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The Rhetoric of Rhetorical Questions: A Grammatical Rebuke in Luke 13:7
In εἶπε δὲ πρὸς τὸν ἀμπελουργόν· ἰδοὺ τρία ἔτη ἔρχομαι ζητῶν καρπὸν ἐν τῇ συκῇ ταύτῃ, καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκω· ἔκκοψον αὐτήν· ἱνατί καὶ τὴν γῆν καταργεῖ; (Luke 13:7), Jesus tells a parable packed with urgency, disappointment, and judgment. But it is the final clause — ἱνατί καὶ τὴν γῆν καταργεῖ; — that brings a unique syntactic sting. This rhetorical question is not a request for information, but a judgment dressed as inquiry. Greek has a powerful way of embedding rebuke into grammar, and here, it wields the interrogative adverb ἱνατί like a blade. The syntax critiques the tree not just for its barrenness but for its burden — “Why should it even exhaust the soil?”… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Matthew 12:6
Λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι τοῦ ἱεροῦ μεῖζόν ἐστιν ὧδε. (Matthew 12:6)
But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.
Focus Topic: Elative Comparison and Implied SubjectThis concise and powerful statement by Jesus uses a partitive genitive, a comparative adjective without a stated noun, and a locative adverb to make a theologically bold declaration. The grammar emphasizes both contrast and presence.
Main Verb: λέγωλέγω is present active indicative, 1st person singular — “I say.” The phrase λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν (“but I say to you”) is characteristic of Jesus’ authoritative teaching style, introducing a corrective or revelatory truth.… Learn Koine Greek
Vowels and Consonants in New Testament Greek
Koine Greek phonology, the sound system underlying the New Testament, is built on a 24-letter alphabet divided into vowels and consonants, with a relatively consistent sound-to-letter correspondence. The seven vowels—α, ε, η, ι, ο, υ, ω—once distinguished by length, gradually lost this distinction in the Koine period, though vowel quality remained crucial for grammar, especially in contractions, diphthongs, and accentuation. Consonants are categorized by articulation (labials, velars, dentals, etc.) and voicing (unvoiced, voiced, aspirated), and their interactions shape morphological changes. For example, future tense formation often involves consonant-sigma combinations (e.g., γράφω → γράψω), while nasal assimilation smooths pronunciation (e.g., σύν + βάλλω → συμβάλλω).… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Beginners, Grammar
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Words You Can’t Miss: Core Vocabulary in the Greek New Testament
Core vocabulary in the Greek New Testament forms the foundation for fluency, comprehension, and theological insight. Mastering the top 300–500 words grants access to over 80% of the text, with function words like καί (“and”), δέ (“but”), and ὁ/ἡ/τό (“the”) serving as grammatical glue, while content words such as θεός (“God”), Ἰησοῦς (“Jesus”), and πίστις (“faith”) carry profound theological weight. High-frequency verbs like εἰμί (“I am”), λέγω (“I say”), and ἔρχομαι (“I come”) are essential for following narrative flow and discourse. These words appear repeatedly across genres and authors, shaping the rhythm and message of the New Testament. Effective strategies for internalizing them include using frequency lists, reading in context, and grouping words thematically.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Beginners, Grammar, Theology
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Frequently Used Words in the New Testament
Mastering the most frequently used words in the Greek New Testament is essential for developing fluency and deepening comprehension, as these words form the structural and theological backbone of the text. High-frequency terms include function words like καί (“and”), ὁ/ἡ/τό (“the”), and δέ (“but”), which guide syntax and logical flow, as well as content words like λέγω (“I say”), θεός (“God”), and Ἰησοῦς (“Jesus”), which carry narrative and doctrinal weight. These words appear thousands of times—καί alone over 9,000 times—making them indispensable for reading without constant reference to a lexicon. Efficient memorization strategies include using flashcards, focusing on frequency lists, and reading in context.… Learn Koine Greek
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