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Greek Lessons
- Freedom from Decay: The Passive Voice of Hope
- Money into Perdition: Optatives, Infinitives, and the Value of the Gift
- Following the Teacher: Aorist Participles, Future Intentions, and Conditional Clauses
- Two Witnesses: Pronouns, Participles, and Present Tense in John 8:18
- Blind Minds and Hardened Hearts: Koine Simplicity versus Classical Subtlety
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Category
Category Archives: Declensions
Declensions in Judgment Imagery: The Grammar of Revelation 8:10
Καὶ ὁ τρίτος ἄγγελος ἐσάλπισε, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀστὴρ μέγας καιόμενος ὡς λαμπάς, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸ τρίτον τῶν ποταμῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς πηγὰς τῶν ὑδάτων. (Revelation 8:10)
And the third angel sounded the trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell upon a third of the rivers and upon the springs of waters.
When Declensions Map Cosmic CatastropheThis apocalyptic trumpet vision uses declensions to anchor a chaotic scene in grammatical precision. Nominatives identify the celestial actors, genitives frame the source and scope of disaster, and accusatives pinpoint its objects. The grammar not only describes the event but also structures its prophetic intensity.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions in the Shade: Grammatical Depth in Ecclesiastes 7:12
Ὅτι ἐν σκιᾷ αὐτῆς ἡ σοφία ὡς σκιὰ τοῦ ἀργυρίου, καὶ περισσεία γνώσεως τῆς σοφίας ζωοποιήσει τὸν παρ᾽ αὐτῆς. (Ecclesiastes 7:12 LXX)
For in its shadow wisdom is like the shadow of silver, and the abundance of knowledge of wisdom will give life to the one who is from her.
Wisdom, Wealth, and the Power to Give LifeThis poetic LXX verse intertwines metaphor and syntax, showing wisdom as both protective and life-giving. The verse revolves around a contrast between wisdom and silver, expressed through careful declension patterns: genitives of comparison, nominatives of identity, and accusatives of effect. Let’s explore how these forms illuminate the theology and imagery.… Learn Koine Greek
Bound in One Case, Free in Another: Declensions at War in Romans 6:20
ὅτε γὰρ δοῦλοι ἦτε τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἐλεύθεροι ἦτε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ. (Romans 6:20)
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with respect to righteousness.
The Paradox Framed by DeclensionIn Romans 6:20, Paul constructs a stark paradox using precise noun cases: being a slave of one power means being free from another. This theological contrast—sin versus righteousness—is not merely stated; it’s declined. The article-noun pairings and dative constructions expose a mutual exclusivity that can only be communicated through inflection.
Verse Breakdown: Form, Case, and Theological Function Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes δοῦλοι 2nd declension masculine nominative plural noun Subject of ἦτε “Slaves” — the foundational metaphor for human condition under sin ἦτε (1st instance) 2nd person plural imperfect indicative of εἰμί Linking verb “You were” — establishes past state of being τῆς ἁμαρτίας 1st declension feminine genitive singular noun with article Genitive of possession “Of sin” — what owned them as slaves ἐλεύθεροι 1st/2nd declension adjective, nominative plural masculine Predicate nominative with 2nd ἦτε “Free” — ironic, because it means they were not righteous τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ 1st declension feminine dative singular noun with article Dative of respect (“with regard to”) “In relation to righteousness” — not in service of it Grammatical Mirror: Two Spheres, Two CasesPaul’s point is symmetrical:
– Nominative δοῦλοι – what you were in relation to sin.… Learn Koine Greek
The Grammar of Justice: Declensions in Revelation 19:2
Ὅτι ἀληθιναὶ καὶ δίκαιαι αἱ κρίσεις αὐτοῦ· ὅτι ἔκρινε τὴν πόρνην τὴν μεγάλην, ἥτις διέφθειρε τὴν γῆν ἐν τῇ πορνείᾳ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐξεδίκησε τὸ αἷμα τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς. (Revelation 19:2)
Because true and righteous are His judgments, for He judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and He has avenged the blood of His servants from her hand.
Declensions as Theological ArchitectureThis verse delivers a proclamation of divine justice, structured through a series of precise case usages. Nominatives frame the truth of God’s judgments, accusatives identify the objects of His action, genitives mark possession and origin, and datives provide the arena or means of corruption.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions in Narrative Description: Morphology in Acts 10:1
Ἀνὴρ δέ τις ἐν Καισαρείᾳ ὀνόματι Κορνήλιος, ἑκατοντάρχης ἐκ σπείρης τῆς καλουμένης Ἰταλικῆς,
(Acts 10:1)
Now a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion from the cohort called the Italian,
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes Ἀνήρ Noun, nominative masculine singular Subject Main subject introducing the character Καισαρείᾳ Proper noun, dative feminine singular Locative dative Indicates location — “in Caesarea” ὀνόματι Noun, dative neuter singular Dative of respect Specifies “by name” Κορνήλιος Proper noun, nominative masculine singular Apposition to ἀνήρ Identifies the man by name ἑκατοντάρχης Noun, nominative masculine singular Apposition to Κορνήλιος Indicates his military role as a centurion σπείρης Noun, genitive feminine singular Genitive of whole Specifies the military unit he belongs to Ἰταλικῆς Adjective, genitive feminine singular Attributive to σπείρης Describes the cohort as Italian Nominatives Establishing the Main CharacterThe nominatives Ἀνήρ, Κορνήλιος, and ἑκατοντάρχης layer identity: a man, named Cornelius, holding the office of centurion.… Learn Koine Greek
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Declensions Guarding Against Deception: Morphology in Colossians 2:8
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)
Paul warns the Colossians with a vivid grammatical construction: a present imperative “watch out” followed by a complex chain of noun phrases, each in a declension form that reveals the anatomy of the threat. The verse is not merely a doctrinal caution; its very morphology shapes its urgency.
Declension Analysis Table Form Morphology Syntactic Role Notes τις Indefinite pronoun, nominative masculine singular Subject of ἔσται General, undefined agent—anyone who might ensnare. ὑμᾶς 2nd person pronoun, accusative plural Object of συλαγωγῶν The intended victims of the deceptive capture.… Learn Koine GreekWhen Case Endings Heal: Declensions and Mercy in Mark 3:5
Καὶ περιβλεψάμενος αὐτοὺς μετ’ ὀργῆς, συλλυπούμενος ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ· ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου. καὶ ἐξέτεινε, καὶ ἀποκατεστάθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ὑγιὴς ὡς ἡ ἄλλη. (Mark 3:5)
And having looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he says to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored, sound as the other.
Setting the Scene with DeclensionsThe verse unfolds in three movements shaped by morphology: (1) Jesus’ stance toward the crowd (μετ’ ὀργῆς; ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει), (2) his address to the sufferer (τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ), and (3) the result reported with precise agreement (ἡ χείρ αὐτοῦ ὑγιής ὡς ἡ ἄλλη).… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions in Divine Imitation: The Grammar of Christlike Welcome in Romans 15:7
Διὸ προσλαμβάνεσθε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς προσελάβετο ἡμᾶς εἰς δόξαν Θεοῦ. (Romans 15:7)
Therefore welcome one another, just as also the Messiah welcomed us, for the glory of God.
Why Declensions Matter HereIn this compact verse, Paul commands imitation—not in abstract terms but in grammatical precision. The morphosyntactic alignment of subject, object, and preposition in the verse reinforces the mutuality of Christian love and the theocentric purpose behind it. From the middle imperative to the articular subject, each declinable element contributes to the theology of inclusion.
Detailed Declension Breakdown Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ἀλλήλους Reciprocal pronoun, accusative plural masculine Direct object of προσλαμβάνεσθε Mutuality emphasized: “one another” highlights equality and inclusion ὁ Χριστός 2nd declension masculine nominative singular noun with article Subject of προσελάβετο Emphatic by placement and article: the Messiah himself is the model ἡμᾶς 1st person plural personal pronoun, accusative Object of προσελάβετο Refers to believers—those formerly excluded but now received δόξαν 3rd declension feminine accusative singular noun Object of preposition εἰς Denotes goal or result: the entire movement aims toward “glory” Θεοῦ 2nd declension masculine genitive singular noun Genitive of possession Defines whose glory: not man’s glory, but God’s Case Functions that Reflect Theological Logic– The accusative ἀλλήλους reinforces mutual reception: both subject and object are the same collective body.… Learn Koine Greek
When Declensions Seal the Door: Grammatical Revelation in Matthew 25:10
Ἀπερχομένων δὲ αὐτῶν ἀγοράσαι ἦλθεν ὁ νυμφίος, καὶ αἱ ἕτοιμοι εἰσῆλθον μετ’ αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς γάμους, καὶ ἐκλείσθη ἡ θύρα. (Matthew 25:10)
Now while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and the ready ones went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
Unpacking the Declined FormsThis powerful verse in the Parable of the Ten Virgins pivots on carefully declined words: articles, nouns, and participles that deepen the narrative with precision and tension. Let’s explore their morphology, syntax, and spiritual weight.
Case-by-Case Insight Greek Word Form & Morphology Case & Function Notes ἀπερχομένων Genitive plural masculine present middle/passive participle of ἀπέρχομαι Genitive absolute Used with αὐτῶν to form a genitive absolute clause: “while they were going away” αὐτῶν Genitive plural masculine personal pronoun Genitive absolute (subject) Refers to the foolish virgins; governs the participle ὁ νυμφίος 2nd declension masculine nominative singular noun with article Subject of ἦλθεν The bridegroom enters the scene at the critical moment αἱ ἕτοιμοι 1st declension feminine nominative plural adjective with article Subject of εἰσῆλθον “The ready ones”—emphatic through article + adjective construction μετ’ αὐτοῦ μετά + genitive pronoun Genitive of accompaniment They go in “with him”—refers to the bridegroom εἰς τοὺς γάμους Preposition + accusative plural masculine noun with article Accusative of motion toward Literal and eschatological: “into the wedding feast” ἡ θύρα 1st declension feminine nominative singular noun with article Subject of passive verb ἐκλείσθη The door becomes its own actor—passively closed Articular Emphasis: Articles That Speak– ὁ νυμφίος: The definite article stresses identity—this is the bridegroom, not a generic figure.… Learn Koine Greek
From Preparation to Pledge: Declensions in Divine Design (2 Corinthians 5:5)
Ὁ δὲ κατεργασάμενος ἡμᾶς εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο Θεός, ὁ καὶ δοὺς ἡμῖν τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ Πνεύματος. (2 Corinthians 5:5)
Now the one who prepared us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the pledge of the Spirit.
Theological Movement Through MorphologyThis compact verse moves from divine action in the past to divine guarantee in the present. Every element of the verse is wrapped in rich declension: nominatives identify the divine agent, accusatives mark the recipients, and genitives clarify possession. This is Pauline grammar in service of pneumatological assurance.
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ὁ…Θεός 2nd declension masculine nominative singular with article Subject of main clause The divine actor, named explicitly; repeated articular structure reinforces identity κατεργασάμενος Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular Modifies ὁ…Θεός “The one who prepared us” — expresses purposeful divine action ἡμᾶς 1st person plural personal pronoun, accusative Object of participle κατεργασάμενος Refers to believers as the object of divine preparation εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο Preposition εἰς + accusative neuter demonstrative pronoun Accusative of purpose or result “For this very thing” — likely referring to eternal life or resurrection (contextually) ὁ…δούς Aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular with article Appositional participle referring to Θεός “Who also gave…” — adds a second divine action: giving the Spirit ἡμῖν 1st person plural personal pronoun, dative Indirect object of δούς Believers again in focus — the recipients of the gift τὸν ἀρραβῶνα 2nd declension masculine accusative singular with article Direct object of δούς “The pledge” — referring to the Holy Spirit as a down payment or guarantee τοῦ Πνεύματος 3rd declension neuter genitive singular noun with article Genitive of specification or possession Defines the nature of the pledge — it is “of the Spirit” Article-Noun Coordination and Identity– The repetition of the article ὁ before both participles (κατεργασάμενος, δούς) identifies the same God as the source of both preparation and gifting.… Learn Koine Greek
