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Greek Lessons
- Grammatical Resistance: Pharaoh’s Syntax of Control in Exodus 10:11
- The Accusation in Quotation: Pauline Perception and Koine Rhetoric
- Healing and Heralding: The Grammar of Kingdom Nearness
- The Word Near You: Syntax, Faith, and the Internalization of Truth in Romans 10:8
- Synonyms: Image and Likeness: εἰκών, ὁμοίωσις, and ὁμοίωμα in the Greek New Testament
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Category
Author Archives: Advanced Greek Grammar
The Accusation in Quotation: Pauline Perception and Koine Rhetoric
Ὅτι αἱ μὲν ἐπιστολαὶ, φησί, βαρεῖαι καὶ ἰσχυραί, ἡ δὲ παρουσία τοῦ σώματος ἀσθενὴς καὶ ὁ λόγος ἐξουθενημένος. (2 Corinthians 10:10)
For “his letters,” they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is of no account.”
ὅτι…φησί: Introducing Reported AccusationThe verse begins with the subordinating conjunction ὅτι, introducing reported speech or a causal clause. The verb φησί (“he says” or “they say”) is present active indicative, third person singular, used impersonally or parenthetically in Koine Greek to introduce commonly held opinion or quotation. The usage here introduces a critical report or claim about Paul’s character — likely quoting his opponents.… Learn Koine Greek
Healing and Heralding: The Grammar of Kingdom Nearness
Καὶ θεραπεύετε τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ ἀσθενεῖς, καὶ λέγετε αὐτοῖς· ἤγγικεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ. (Luke 10:9)
And heal the sick in it, and say to them: The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.
καὶ θεραπεύετε τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ ἀσθενεῖς: Imperatives of CompassionThe verb θεραπεύετε is a present active imperative, second person plural of θεραπεύω, meaning “to heal” or “to treat medically.” Its imperative mood shows that this is not a suggestion but a commanded action for Jesus’ disciples. The present tense emphasizes ongoing, habitual action — not a one-time miraculous burst, but consistent ministry. The direct object τοὺς…ἀσθενεῖς (“the sick”) is accusative masculine plural, with the embedded phrase ἐν αὐτῇ (“in it”) referring to the city previously mentioned (from verse 8).… Learn Koine Greek
Obedience and Retaliation: Conditional Justice and Grammatical Warfare in 2 Corinthians 10:6
Καὶ ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχοντες ἐκδικῆσαι πᾶσαν παρακοήν, ὅταν πληρωθῇ ὑμῶν ἡ ὑπακοή. (2 Corinthians 10:6)
And being in readiness to punish every disobedience, whenever your obedience is fulfilled.
The Apostle Paul’s language in 2 Corinthians 10 is militarized, metaphoric, and measured. Verse 6, in particular, reflects a strategic pause within a broader rhetorical battle plan. The grammar sharpens theological action: punishment waits for disobedience, but only when obedience is complete. This isn’t just Pauline rhetoric—it’s Pauline syntax. Through careful use of participles, subjunctives, and conditional temporal markers, Paul builds a theology of discipline embedded in grammar. This article explores how the Koine Greek of this verse conveys not only sequence and readiness but also eschatological restraint.… Learn Koine Greek
The Body Prepared: Syntax and Sacrifice in Hebrews 10:5–6
Διὸ εἰσερχόμενος εἰς τὸν κόσμον λέγει· θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, σῶμα δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι· ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ εὐδόκησας· (Hebrews 10:5–6)
Therefore, entering into the world he says: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; burnt offerings and offerings concerning sin you did not take pleasure in.”
Διὸ εἰσερχόμενος εἰς τὸν κόσμον λέγει: Timeless Speech in a Temporal ClauseThe verse begins with the conjunction Διὸ (“therefore”), a compound of διά and ὅ, meaning “for this reason.” It introduces a logical conclusion drawn from earlier discussion about the insufficiency of animal sacrifices.… Learn Koine Greek
Measured Boldness and Misjudged Apostleship
Δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας. (2 Corinthians 10:2)
And I beg that, when not present, I may not have to be bold with the confidence with which I consider daring toward some who think of us as walking according to the flesh.
Δέομαι δὲ…: From Appeal to AnticipationThe verb δέομαι (“I beg, entreat”) is present middle/passive indicative, first person singular. It carries a tone of supplication rather than instruction. This is not Paul commanding the Corinthians, but pleading with them — an appeal that reveals his emotional investment.… Learn Koine Greek
The Grammar of Perception and Presence
Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς διὰ τῆς πραότητος καὶ ἐπιεικείας τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς κατὰ πρόσωπον μὲν ταπεινὸς ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀπὼν δὲ θαρρῶ εἰς ὑμᾶς· (2 Corinthians 10:1)
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the gentleness and clemency of Christ — who in person is humble among you, but being absent am bold toward you,
Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος: A Stacked EmphasisThe phrase Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος layers three elements of personal identity: αὐτὸς (“I myself”), ἐγὼ (explicit personal pronoun), and Παῦλος (proper name). All are in the nominative singular, and together they create a tone of personal gravity and pastoral urgency.… Learn Koine Greek
Opened Eyes and Stern Silence: Syntax and Tension in Matthew 9:30
Καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί· καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. (Matthew 9:30)
And their eyes were opened, and Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows.”
Healing, Command, and Controlled RevelationMatthew 9:30 presents the moment immediately after Jesus heals two blind men. What unfolds is a blend of miraculous transformation and strict prohibition, crafted through precise Koine Greek syntax. The verse includes two main narrative clauses and a direct speech command, all coordinated with narrative conjunctions and inflected with grammatical sharpness. Jesus heals, but also warns. This syntactic duality underscores the messianic secret motif that runs throughout the Gospel.… Learn Koine Greek
Shining Like Lightning: Syntax, Transformation, and Prayer in Luke 9:29
Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ προσεύχεσθαι αὐτὸν τὸ εἶδος τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἕτερον καὶ ὁ ἱματισμὸς αὐτοῦ λευκὸς ἐξαστράπτων. (Luke 9:29)
And as he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing became dazzling white.
A Glimpse of Glory Through SyntaxLuke 9:29 records the transfiguration of Jesus as he prays—a deeply theological moment encoded with precise Koine Greek grammar. The syntax of this verse is crafted to present a temporal transformation rooted in the act of prayer, with both verbal structure and nominal syntax emphasizing sudden change and divine radiance. The sentence combines participial constructions, a genitive absolute-like temporal marker, and coordinated predicates that mark both internal and external transformation.… Learn Koine Greek
Running with Purpose, Fighting with Focus: Grammar and Imagery in 1 Corinthians 9:26
Ἐγὼ τοίνυν οὕτω τρέχω, ὡς οὐκ ἀδήλως, οὕτω πυκτεύω, ὡς οὐκ ἀέρα δέρων, (1 Corinthians 9:26)
Athletic Imagery in Paul’s Letters
In 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul employs athletic metaphors to explain the seriousness of Christian discipleship. He writes: ἐγὼ τοίνυν οὕτω τρέχω, ὡς οὐκ ἀδήλως, οὕτω πυκτεύω, ὡς οὐκ ἀέρα δέρων — “Therefore I run in this way, not without aim; I box in this way, not beating the air.” The grammar of the passage is precise, mirroring the discipline and intentionality that Paul demands of himself and his readers. The verbs of running and boxing, framed by negative adverbs, express controlled determination.… Learn Koine Greek
From Not My People to My People: Quotation, Future Tense, and Passive Perfection in Romans 9:25
Ὡς καὶ ἐν τῷ Ὡσηὲ λέγει· καλέσω τὸν οὐ λαόν μου λαόν μου, καὶ τὴν οὐκ ἠγαπημένην ἠγαπημένην· (Romans 9:25)
Paul’s Use of Hosea
Romans 9:25 is part of Paul’s larger argument about the inclusion of Gentiles in the people of God. To make his case, Paul cites Hosea: “I will call those who were not my people, ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’” This short quotation carries immense theological weight, and its Greek grammar heightens the force of the promise. The future tense verb καλέσω and the perfect passive participle ἠγαπημένην together portray God’s decisive and irreversible act of redefinition.… Learn Koine Greek
