-
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
-
Category
Author Archives: Exegesis & Hermeneutics
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 Disease of Discourse: When Doctrine Turns Toxic
Ταῦτα δίδασκε καὶ παρακάλει. εἴ τις ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ καὶ μὴ προσέρχεται ὑγιαίνουσι λόγοις τοῖς τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ τῇ κατ’ εὐσέβειαν διδασκαλίᾳ, τετύφωται, μηδὲν ἐπιστάμενος, ἀλλὰ νοσῶν περὶ ζητήσεις καὶ λογομαχίας, ἐξ ὧν γίνεται φθόνος, ἔρις, βλασφημίαι, ὑπόνοιαι πονηραί, (1 Timothy 6:2–4)
These things teach and encourage. If anyone teaches differently and does not come to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the teaching that accords with godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing, but is diseased concerning controversies and word battles, from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, and evil suspicions.
The Command to Teach and EncourageThe verse begins with two imperatives: δίδασκε (“teach”) and παρακάλει (“encourage” or “exhort”).… 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
Posted in Exegesis
Leave a comment
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
Nothing Hidden: Transparency and Growing Understanding in Apostolic Ministry
Οὐ γὰρ ἄλλα γράφομεν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ’ ἢ ἃ ἀναγινώσκετε ἢ καὶ ἐπιγινώσκετε, ἐλπίζω δὲ ὅτι καὶ ἕως τέλους ἐπιγνώσεσθε, (2 Corinthians 1:13)
For we are not writing anything to you except what you read or even understand, and I hope that you will understand fully until the end.
Apostolic Integrity Through Plain WritingIn 2 Corinthians 1:13, Paul affirms the clarity and transparency of his correspondence with the Corinthian believers. The verse begins with a denial: οὐ γὰρ ἄλλα γράφομεν ὑμῖν—“For we are not writing to you anything other.” The plural γράφομεν (we write) suggests both Paul and his co-workers, while ἄλλα (“other [things]”) stresses that there is no hidden message or cryptic layer behind his words.… Learn Koine Greek
