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Greek Lessons
- Seeking the Signs or the Bread? A Grammatical and Stylistic Journey through John 6:26
- Worry and Worth: A Greek Look at Matthew 6:25
- Indirect Discourse and the Weight of Silence: The Interrogative Mood in Mark 6:24–25
- Tense That Breathes Eternity: The Aorist Imperative and Eschatological Joy in Luke 6:23
- Sent with Purpose: Subjunctive Aims and Pastoral Comfort in Ephesians 6:22
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Category
Author Archives: Classical Greek
Comparative Greek Analysis: 1 Corinthians 13:4a in Koine vs. Classical Greek
Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ, ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται,
Love is patient, it is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, it is not puffed up. (1 Corinthians 13:4a)
Grammar and Syntax Analysis (Koine Greek) Ἡ ἀγάπη – Nominative singular with the article, used anaphorically and for emphasis. Repeated three times in this verse for rhetorical force and poetic rhythm. This is a classic example of Semitic influence (parallelism) in Greek style. μακροθυμεῖ – Present active indicative of μακροθυμέω (“to be patient,” “to endure long”). Common in Koine ethical texts, often associated with divine or virtuous patience.… Learn Koine GreekHebrews 8:4 and the Greek of Priesthood and Legal Qualification
εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἦν ἐπὶ γῆς, οὐδ’ ἂν ἦν ἱερεύς, ὄντων τῶν ἱερέων τῶν προσφερόντων κατὰ τὸν νόμον τὰ δῶρα,
For if indeed he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are priests offering the gifts according to the law. (Hebrews 8:4)
Conditional Clauses and Theological Logic εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἦν ἐπὶ γῆς This is the protasis of a second-class (contrary-to-fact) conditional clause. εἰ (“if”) with imperfect ἦν (“he were”) implies a hypothetical scenario contrary to reality: Christ is not on earth. The phrase ἐπὶ γῆς (“on earth”) contrasts with his heavenly ministry (cf. Heb. 8:1–2).… Learn Koine GreekRevelation 4:4 and the Symbolic Grammar of Glory
Revelation 4:4
καὶ κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς θρόνους τοὺς εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πρεσβυτέρους καθημένους, περιβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν στεφάνους χρυσοῦς.
Literal English TranslationAnd around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and upon the thrones twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and on their heads golden crowns.
Heavenly Arrangement and Regal Imagery καὶ κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες The preposition κυκλόθεν (“around, encircling”) indicates spatial layout, forming a sacred perimeter around the central θρόνος (“throne”). The repetition of θρόνος elevates the setting’s formality and order. In Classical Greek, θρόνος typically refers to a literal seat or a high-backed chair of honor.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Ancient Greek
Tagged accusative plural participle, Revelation 4:4, καθημένους, στεφάνους
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Speaking Freely in the Grace of the Lord: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Acts 14:3
Ἱκανὸν μὲν οὖν χρόνον διέτριψαν παρρησιαζόμενοι ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ μαρτυροῦντι τῷ λόγῳ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ, διδόντι σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα γίνεσθαι διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν.
So they spent a considerable time speaking freely, relying on the Lord who bore witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to happen through their hands. (Acts 14:3)
Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis Ἱκανὸν…χρόνον — Accusative of duration of time. The adjective ἱκανός (“considerable, sufficient”) modifies χρόνον (“time”). μὲν οὖν — Though μέν…δέ is classical, the pairing μὲν οὖν often functions as a resumptive or transitional marker in Koine narrative. This specific usage becomes more stylistically prevalent in Koine, though not unknown in Classical prose.… Learn Koine GreekHeaven’s Council and Crowns: A Greek Look at Revelation 4:4
καὶ κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς θρόνους τοὺς εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πρεσβυτέρους καθημένους, περιβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν στεφάνους χρυσοῦς.
And surrounding the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, and on their heads golden crowns. (Revelation 4:4)
Heavenly Council Imagery κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου – “around the throne.” The adverb κυκλόθεν sets the spatial scene, evoking a circular, encompassing array. This kind of throne-circle imagery echoes Greco-Roman court assemblies and Jewish apocalyptic visions (cf. Daniel 7:9–10).θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες – “twenty-four thrones.” The number 24 suggests fullness—possibly representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles, symbolizing redeemed humanity.… Learn Koine Greek
Clarity in the Coming Age: A Greek Look at 1 Corinthians 13:12
1 Corinthians 13:12
βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην.
For now we see through a mirror, dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will fully know, just as I also was fully known.
The Grammar of Contrast: Now vs. Then This verse is structured around two temporal contrasts: ἄρτι (“now”) and τότε (“then”). Paul uses this duality to highlight the present limitations of human perception and the future fullness of eschatological knowledge. The parallel structure enhances rhetorical rhythm and theological clarity.… Learn Koine GreekNo More Curse: A Greek Look at Revelation 22:3
καὶ πᾶν κατάθεμα οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι· καὶ ὁ θρόνος τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἀρνίου ἐν αὐτῇ ἔσται, καὶ οἱ δοῦλοι αὐτοῦ λατρεύσουσιν αὐτῷ
And there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in her, and his servants will worship him. (Revelation 22:3)
The End of the Curse πᾶν κατάθεμα οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι – “There will no longer be any curse.” The neuter πᾶν (every, all) and the noun κατάθεμα (curse, accursed thing) together refer to the complete removal of anything under divine condemnation. The verb ἔσται (future of εἰμί) with the negative οὐκ and temporal adverb ἔτι (“no longer”) declares the final abolition of the Fall’s effects (cf.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Ancient Greek
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Who Tripped You Up? A Grammatical Race Through Galatians 5:7
Ἐτρέχετε καλῶς· τίς ὑμᾶς ἐνέκοψε τῇ ἀληθείᾳ μὴ πείθεσθαι;
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7)
1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek Ἐτρέχετε: Imperfect active indicative second person plural of τρέχω (“to run”). The imperfect suggests continuous past action—”you were running”—which builds the metaphor of steady progress before interruption. καλῶς: Adverb meaning “well,” modifying Ἐτρέχετε. Koine often uses positive adverbs to frame moral or spiritual behavior metaphorically. τίς: Interrogative pronoun in the nominative singular, functioning as the subject—”Who?” Koine retains Classical interrogatives with similar placement at the head of the question. ὑμᾶς: Accusative plural pronoun, functioning as the object of ἐνέκοψε (“hindered”).… Learn Koine GreekCrossing Sea and Land for Judgment: Classical and Koine Grammar in Matthew 23:15
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι περιάγετε τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν ποιῆσαι ἕνα προσήλυτον, καὶ ὅταν γένηται, ποιεῖτε αὐτὸν υἱὸν γεέννης διπλότερον ὑμῶν.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you go around sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes so, you make him a son of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15)
1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν: Interjection Οὐαὶ (“woe”) followed by dative plural pronoun ὑμῖν (“to you”). A prophetic denunciation formula preserved from Hebrew usage, with the dative marking the recipient of the woe. γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί: Appositional vocatives; γραμματεῖς and Φαρισαῖοι are modified by ὑποκριταί (“hypocrites”).… Learn Koine GreekYou Are Our Letter: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of 2 Corinthians 3:2
ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε, ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν, γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων.
You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people. (2 Corinthians 3:2)
Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν — Nominative singular noun with possessive genitive pronoun “our letter.” The article makes the phrase definite and emphatic. ὑμεῖς ἐστε — Independent pronoun ὑμεῖς (“you”) used for emphasis. ἐστε is present indicative of εἰμί, second person plural: “you are.” ἐγγεγραμμένη — Perfect passive participle of ἐγγράφω, nominative feminine singular, modifying ἐπιστολή: “having been written.” The perfect tense implies a completed action with lasting results.… Learn Koine Greek