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Greek Lessons
- Vindicated at the Table: How Speech Condemns and Grammar Acquits
- Carried, Not Carrying: The Grammar That Topples Boasting
- Spliced into Abundance: The Grammar of Displacement and Participation in ἐνεκεντρίσθης
- When the Heart Expands Toward Ruin: The Grammar of Self-Watchfulness
- Living, Begetting, Dying: The Grammar of Time and Continuity
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Category
Author Archives: Exegesis & Hermeneutics
The Captivity of Ideas: A Warning Against False Frameworks
Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν· (Colossians 2:8)
See to it that no one will be the one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elemental principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Guarding the Mind Against Subtle CaptorsIn Colossians 2:8, Paul issues a vigilant warning with the present imperative Βλέπετε – “Watch out,” or “Be on guard.” The command is directed to the entire community (ὑμᾶς, plural “you”) and demands continual attentiveness.… Learn Koine Greek
Written for Our Warning: Typology and the Ends of the Ages
Ταῦτα δὲ πάντα τύποι συνέβαινον ἐκείνοις, ἐγράφη δὲ πρὸς νουθεσίαν ἡμῶν, εἰς οὓς τὰ τέλη τῶν αἰώνων κατήντησεν. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
Now these things all happened to them as types, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Exegetical AnalysisPaul, after recounting a series of Israel’s failures in the wilderness (vv.1–10), offers a theological summary in this verse. He begins with ταῦτα δὲ πάντα — “now these things all,” referencing the historical incidents just described (idolatry, immorality, grumbling). The verb συνέβαινον (imperfect indicative middle/passive of συμβαίνω) means “were happening” or “came to pass,” with a durative aspect suggesting ongoing historical unfolding.… Learn Koine Greek
The Error of the Unknowing: Scripture, Power, and the Correction of Christ
Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πλανᾶσθε μὴ εἰδότες τὰς γραφὰς μηδὲ τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ· (Matthew 22:29)
But answering, Jesus said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Exegetical AnalysisThe participle ἀποκριθεὶς (“answering”) introduces Jesus’ reply, functioning as a standard narrative marker in Koine Greek for verbal interaction. It links directly with εἶπεν (“he said”), providing a formal structure to the confrontation. The main assertion is contained in the second-person plural verb πλανᾶσθε (“You are mistaken”), present passive indicative, showing that the error is both active and ongoing. The verb comes from πλανάω, a term frequently used for theological and moral deception, especially self-deception.… Learn Koine Greek
Scripture as a Wellspring of Hope: Endurance, Comfort, and Canonical Purpose
Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. (Romans 15:4)
For whatever was written beforehand was written for our instruction, in order that through the endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Exegetical AnalysisPaul begins with a generalizing relative clause: ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη — “For whatever was written beforehand.” The verb προεγράφη (aorist passive of προγράφω) occurs twice in the verse, stressing prior inscription — a deliberate record in sacred history. The repetition underscores Scripture’s enduring intentionality. These writings, though ancient, were not sealed off from the present.… Learn Koine Greek
The Self-Condemned: When Correction Meets Resistance
Αἱρετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. (Titus 3:10–11)
Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, knowing that such a one has turned aside and is sinning, being self-condemned.
The Anatomy of DisciplineThe instruction begins with αἱρετικὸν ἄνθρωπον, literally “a sectarian man” or “a man of division.” The adjective αἱρετικός stems from αἵρεσις, meaning “choice,” “party,” or “sect,” which in this context conveys willful separation from communal truth. The imperative παραιτοῦ (“reject” or “avoid”) marks a decisive pastoral boundary. Paul’s syntax—μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν—reveals a measured process: the first and second admonitions precede any rejection.… Learn Koine Greek
Faith That Works: Hearing Without Doing Is Self-Deception
Γίνεσθε δὲ ποιηταὶ λόγου καὶ μὴ μόνον ἀκροαταὶ, παραλογιζόμενοι ἑαυτούς. (James 1:22)
But become doers of the word and not only hearers, deceiving yourselves.
Exegetical AnalysisThe imperative Γίνεσθε (“become”) is a present middle imperative, emphasizing an ongoing process of transformation rather than a one-time command. It pairs with the predicate nominative ποιηταὶ (“doers”) and the genitive λόγου (“of the word”), forming the phrase “become doers of the word.” The construction stresses identity and lifestyle, not merely action. The conjunction δὲ provides contrast or mild continuation from the prior verse. The phrase μὴ μόνον ἀκροαταὶ (“not only hearers”) sets up an antithesis with ποιηταὶ, placing mere listening in opposition to faithful response.… Learn Koine Greek
Discerning Discipleship: Testing All Things, Holding to the Good
Πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε, τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε· (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
But test everything; hold fast to what is good.
The Command to Examine EverythingIn 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul delivers a compact yet far-reaching exhortation: πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε — “But test everything.” The verb δοκιμάζετε (present active imperative) urges continual action: not a one-time judgment, but a lifestyle of evaluation. Derived from the domain of metallurgy, the word implies testing to determine authenticity or value. This is no superficial scanning, but an intentional and discerning process. The object of the verb, πάντα (“everything”), is striking in its scope—there are no exceptions or sacred cows.… Learn Koine Greek
Not from Man, But from God: The Spirit-Borne Prophecy of Scripture
Τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες, ὅτι πᾶσα προφητεία γραφῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως οὐ γίνεται. οὐ γὰρ θελήματι ἀνθρώπου ἠνέχθη ποτὲ προφητεία, ἀλλ’ ὑπὸ Πνεύματος ἁγίου φερόμενοι ἐλάλησαν ἅγιοι Θεοῦ ἄνθρωποι. (2 Peter 1:20–21)
Knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture is not of one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Exegetical AnalysisThis densely packed pair of verses begins with the phrase τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες — “knowing this first.” The participle γινώσκοντες (present active participle, nominative masculine plural) functions imperatively, meaning “you must know this above all.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Unchangeable Gospel and the Weight of Anathema
Ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐὰν ἡμεῖς ἢ ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ εὐαγγελίζηται ὑμῖν παρ’ ὃ εὐηγγελισάμεθα ὑμῖν, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω. (Galatians 1:8)
But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim good news to you contrary to what we have proclaimed to you, let him be accursed.
The Gospel’s Inviolability DeclaredIn Galatians 1:8, Paul utters one of the most thunderous warnings in the New Testament. The sentence begins with ἀλλὰ καὶ – a strong adversative conjunction meaning “but even,” intensifying the contrast with the previous context. What follows is a startling hypothetical: ἐὰν ἡμεῖς ἢ ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, “if we or an angel from heaven.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Unbreakable Scripture and the Word Addressed to Humanity
Εἰ ἐκείνους εἶπε θεοὺς, πρὸς οὓς ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ οὐ δύναται λυθῆναι ἡ γραφή, (John 10:35)
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken,
Divine Speech to MortalsIn John 10:35, Jesus appeals to a moment in Scripture where certain individuals were referred to as θεοὺς (“gods”). The structure begins with a first-class conditional clause: εἰ ἐκείνους εἶπε θεοὺς—“if He called them gods.” The referent of ἐκείνους is drawn from Psalm 82:6, where human judges or rulers are metaphorically called “gods” due to their function as representatives of divine justice.… Learn Koine Greek
