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Greek Lessons
- The Grammar of Perception and Presence
- Opened Eyes and Stern Silence: Syntax and Tension in Matthew 9:30
- Shining Like Lightning: Syntax, Transformation, and Prayer in Luke 9:29
- The Syntax of Survival: Postdiluvian Duration in a Simple Sentence
- Confession in the Aorist: Pharaoh’s Syntax of Contrition
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Category
Author Archives: Exegesis & Hermeneutics
Fulfillment, Not Abolition: Messiah and the Meaning of Torah
Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας· οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι. (Matthew 5:17)
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Exegetical AnalysisThe imperative Μὴ νομίσητε (“Do not think”) is aorist active subjunctive with a negative particle, forming a prohibitive construction often used to correct false assumptions. The verb νομίζω implies supposing or presuming; Jesus is preemptively dismantling a possible misunderstanding of his mission. The infinitive construction ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι (“that I came to abolish”) follows as the content of the mistaken thought.… Learn Koine Greek
Doctrine That Heals: Speaking What Fits Sound Teaching
Σὺ δὲ λάλει ἃ πρέπει τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ. (Titus 2:1)
But you, speak the things which are fitting for sound teaching.
Exegetical AnalysisThe verse begins with Σὺ δὲ, a strong emphatic contrast. The pronoun Σὺ (“you”) is unnecessary grammatically but present for emphasis, likely contrasting Titus with false teachers just mentioned in the previous context. The adversative particle δὲ reinforces the contrast — you, however. The imperative λάλει (“speak”) is a present active imperative, implying continuous action. Paul instructs Titus to engage in an ongoing ministry of truthful, verbal instruction.
The object of this speech is expressed as ἃ πρέπει, literally “the things which are fitting” or “what is appropriate.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Guide into All Truth: Pneumatology and Prophetic Voice
Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ἐκεῖνος, τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας, ὁδηγήσει ὑμᾶς εἰς πάσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν· οὐ γὰρ λαλήσει ἀφ’ ἑαυτοῦ, ἀλλ’ ὅσα ἂν ἀκούσει λαλήσει, καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν. (John 16:13)
But when he comes — the Spirit of truth — he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things to come.
Exegetical AnalysisThe verse begins with ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ — a temporal clause using ὅταν with an aorist subjunctive (ἔλθῃ), the standard Koine way of speaking about indefinite future time (“when he comes”).… Learn Koine Greek
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Imitating the Imitator: A Call to Reflect Christ Through Paul
Μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε, καθὼς κἀγὼ Χριστοῦ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Become imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
A Bold Command Rooted in HumilityIn 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul offers a striking command: Μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε, “Become imitators of me.” The imperative γίνεσθε (present middle imperative, second person plural) emphasizes an ongoing process of becoming, not a static imitation. The noun μιμηταί (imitators) evokes the imagery of discipleship, patterning one’s life after a model. At first glance, the command seems audacious—Paul urging others to follow his example. But the phrase that follows, καθὼς κἀγὼ Χριστοῦ (“just as I also am of Christ”), transforms this imperative into an act of profound humility.… Learn Koine Greek
The Breath and the Blade: Scripture’s Equipping Power
Πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἔλεγχον, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
All Scripture is God-breathed and beneficial for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, having been fully equipped for every good work.
Exegetical AnalysisThe clause begins with πᾶσα γραφὴ, “every Scripture” or “all Scripture,” with πᾶσα modifying γραφὴ in a way that invites syntactical ambiguity. The construction could refer to each passage of Scripture individually or to the whole canon collectively.… Learn Koine Greek
When the Veil Is Lifted: Turning the Heart to the Lord
Ἀλλ’ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἂν ἀναγινώσκεται Μωϋσῆς, κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται· ἡνίκα δ’ ἂν ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς Κύριον, περιαιρεῖται τὸ κάλυμμα. (2 Corinthians 3:15–16)
But until today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
Exegetical AnalysisThe adversative conjunction ἀλλ’ (“but”) marks a continued contrast with the preceding verses, shifting attention from general statements about glory to the ongoing spiritual blindness of some Israelites. The temporal phrase ἕως σήμερον (“until today”) situates Paul’s statement in the present, emphasizing the enduring nature of this condition. The dependent clause ἡνίκα ἂν ἀναγινώσκεται Μωϋσῆς introduces a recurring circumstance: whenever Moses is read, that is, whenever the Torah is publicly proclaimed.… Learn Koine Greek
Cutting the Word Straight: The Exegete Before God
Σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker without shame, rightly handling the word of truth.
Exegetical AnalysisThe verse begins with the imperative σπούδασον, a second person aorist active imperative of σπουδάζω, meaning “make every effort” or “be zealous.” This imperative evokes an urgency and intentionality in the command. It is not casual advice but a charged directive to exert one’s full diligence. The object σεαυτὸν (“yourself”) places responsibility squarely on the reader—here, Timothy—to take personal ownership of preparation. The following infinitival clause, δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, reveals the purpose: to “present yourself approved to God.”… Learn Koine Greek
The God of Peace, Not of Chaos: Order in Worship and the Nature of God
Οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἀκαταστασίας ὁ Θεὸς, ἀλλὰ εἰρήνης. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
For God is not of disorder, but of peace.
Exegetical AnalysisThe conjunction γάρ introduces a causal explanation, tying the theological principle to Paul’s instructions about orderly conduct in the assembly. The sentence begins with a negation: οὐ ἐστιν ἀκαταστασίας ὁ Θεὸς, literally “God is not of disorder.” The genitive ἀκαταστασίας (“of disorder” or “confusion”) defines the quality or domain that is being negated. The word comes from ἀκαταστασία, meaning unrest, chaos, instability, or tumult—often used to describe political upheaval or community division. The genitive construction reflects a Semitic idiom: “God is not a God of…” meaning such qualities do not originate in or belong to His character.… Learn Koine Greek
Combining Spirit with Spirit: The Divide Between the Mind of Man and the Wisdom of God
Ἃ καὶ λαλοῦμεν οὐκ ἐν διδακτοῖς ἀνθρωπίνης σοφίας λόγοις, ἀλλ’ ἐν διδακτοῖς Πνεύματος ἁγίου, πνευματικοῖς πνευματικὰ συγκρίνοντες. ψυχικὸς δὲ ἄνθρωπος οὐ δέχεται τὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος τοῦ Θεοῦ· μωρία γὰρ αὐτῷ ἐστι, καὶ οὐ δύναται γνῶναι, ὅτι πνευματικῶς ἀνακρίνεται. (1 Corinthians 2:13–14)
Which also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit, combining spiritual things with spiritual. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Exegetical AnalysisPaul’s sentence opens with a relative pronoun ἃ (“which”), linking back to the divine wisdom mentioned earlier.… Learn Koine Greek
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Lawfully Used: The Proper Function of the Law in Apostolic Thought
Οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι καλὸς ὁ νόμος, ἐάν τις αὐτῷ νομίμως χρῆται, (1 Timothy 1:8)
But we know that the Law is good, if someone uses it lawfully.
Knowing the Goodness of the LawIn 1 Timothy 1:8, Paul affirms a vital but often neglected truth: ὅτι καλὸς ὁ νόμος — “that the Law is good.” The verb οἴδαμεν (“we know”) is perfect active, indicating not speculative theory but settled conviction. This “we” likely refers to Paul and his apostolic circle, or perhaps all who rightly understand the function of the Mosaic Law within the redemptive narrative. The adjective καλὸς does not merely mean “morally upright,” but also “beautiful,” “beneficial,” and “noble.”… Learn Koine Greek
