Author Archives: Classical Greek

About Classical Greek

Understanding Classical Greek is immensely valuable for mastering New Testament (NT) Greek, also known as Koine Greek. Though NT Greek is simpler in structure and more standardized, it evolved directly from the classical dialects—especially Attic Greek—carrying forward much of their vocabulary, syntactic patterns, and idiomatic expressions. Classical Greek provides the linguistic and philosophical background that shaped Hellenistic thought, including the rhetorical styles and cultural references embedded in the New Testament. A foundation in Classical Greek deepens a reader’s grasp of nuance, enhances translation precision, and opens windows into the broader Greco-Roman world in which early Christianity emerged.

Personal Greetings and Apostolic Instructions: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Colossians 4:10

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Classical Greek
Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἀρίσταρχος ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου, καὶ Μᾶρκος ὁ ἀνεψιὸς Βαρνάβα, περὶ οὗ ἐλάβετε ἐντολάς· ἐὰν ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς δέξασθε αὐτόν, (Colossians 4:10)

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς — Present middle/passive indicative, 3rd singular of ἀσπάζομαι: “greets you.” Typical epistolary verb in Koine. Ἀρίσταρχος — Nominative subject of ἀσπάζεται, a known companion of Paul. Apposition follows. ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου — Articular noun with possessive genitive μου: “my fellow prisoner.” συναιχμάλωτος is a compound word, Koine in tone.… Learn Koine Greek
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Productive Piety in Action: A Greek Study of Titus 3:14

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Classical Greek
Μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. (Titus 3:14)

And let our people also learn to devote themselves to good works for necessary needs, so that they may not be unfruitful.

Training the Church in Good Works μανθανέτωσαν – 3rd person plural present active imperative of μανθάνω, “to learn.” The imperative calls for an ongoing process of disciplined instruction. In Classical Greek, μανθάνω often meant “to understand” or “to become acquainted with,” but here it includes practical lifestyle formation. The use of the plural shows Paul’s concern for the entire community’s spiritual education.… Learn Koine Greek
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A Command Before God and the Governor: Witness and Confession

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Classical Greek
Παραγγέλλω σοι ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζωοποιοῦντος τὰ πάντα καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ μαρτυρήσαντος ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν, (1 Timothy 6:13)

I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

This verse, a solemn apostolic charge, invokes the highest heavenly authority and a poignant earthly moment: the confession of Christ before Pontius Pilate. Paul urges Timothy to live faithfully under the weight of this witness.

Koine Greek Breakdown

Formal and juridical in tone, the sentence contains a compound prepositional phrase, articular participles, and genitive constructions of reverence.… Learn Koine Greek

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Plotting the Death of a Sign: Classical and Koine Grammar in John 12:10

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Classical Greek
Ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, (John 12:10)

But the chief priests deliberated that they might also kill Lazarus.

1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek ἐβουλεύσαντο: Aorist middle indicative third person plural of βουλεύομαι (“to plan, deliberate”). The middle voice reflects internal deliberation or joint decision-making, common in Koine narrative to depict collaborative intent. δὲ: Postpositive conjunction used here to contrast the priests’ new plot with previous narrative developments. Koine retains δὲ frequently but uses it more loosely than Classical Greek. οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς: Nominative definite article with plural noun ἀρχιερεῖς (“chief priests”) marks the grammatical subject. Koine uses articles more consistently and extensively than Classical Greek.… Learn Koine Greek
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Matthew 12:10 and the Greek of Challenge and Strategy

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Classical Greek
Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐκεῖ τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν· καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· εἰ ἔξεστι τοῖς σάββασι θεραπεύειν; ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ. (Matthew 12:10)

And behold, there was a man there having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbaths?”—so that they might accuse him.

Visual Setup and Legal Ambush καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐκεῖ τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν The interjection ἰδοὺ marks narrative alertness—“look!” or “behold!” The imperfect verb ἦν establishes the background: “there was a man.” τὴν χεῖρα ἔχων ξηράν is a participial phrase modifying the man: “having a withered hand.” ξηρά (“withered”) implies paralysis or muscular atrophy, a detail that draws attention to physical disability.… Learn Koine Greek
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