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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
Category Archives: Exegesis
The Astonishment of the Familiar: Questions, Aspect, and Divine Wisdom in Mark 6:2
Καὶ γενομένου σαββάτου ἤρξατο ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ διδάσκειν· καὶ πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες· Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα; καὶ τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα αὐτῷ, καὶ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γίνονται; (Mark 6:2)
And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? And what is the wisdom that has been given to him, and such mighty works being done through his hands?”
When the Hometown Is ShockedMark 6:2 opens the scene in the Nazareth synagogue where Jesus, the carpenter’s son, teaches with divine authority.… Learn Koine Greek
The Fellowship of the Journey: A Missionary Team in Acts 20:4
Acts 20:4 lists the companions of Paul as he journeys through Macedonia and prepares to return to Asia. This verse comes after Paul has encouraged believers in the region and is heading toward Jerusalem with the collection for the saints. The travel narrative subtly underscores the unity and diversity of Paul’s ministry partners, drawing from different churches and regions — a living portrait of the universal Church.
Structural Analysisσυνείπετο δὲ αὐτῷ ἄχρι τῆς Ἀσίας Σώπατρος Βεροιαῖος, Θεσσαλονικέων δὲ Ἀρίσταρχος καὶ Σεκοῦνδος, καὶ Γάϊος Δερβαῖος καὶ Τιμόθεος, Ἀσιανοὶ δὲ Τυχικὸς καὶ Τρόφιμος.
The main verb συνείπετο (“was accompanying”) governs the whole verse.… Learn Koine Greek
Beyond What Is Written: The Humility of Apostolic Restraint
Ταῦτα δέ, ἀδελφοί, μετεσχημάτισα εἰς ἐμαυτὸν καὶ Ἀπολλὼ δι’ ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἐν ἡμῖν μάθητε τὸ μὴ ὑπὲρ ὃ γέγραπται φρονεῖν, ἵνα μὴ εἷς ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἑνὸς φυσιοῦσθε κατὰ τοῦ ἑτέρου. (1 Corinthians 4:6)
Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and to Apollos for your sake, so that in us you may learn not to think beyond what has been written, so that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
The Rhetoric of Self-ApplicationThe opening phrase Ταῦτα δέ, ἀδελφοί (“Now these things, brothers”) introduces a shift of tone from argument to pastoral appeal.… Learn Koine Greek
The Stirred Waters: Imperfects, Participles, and the Rhythm of Healing
Ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ κολυμβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐταράσσετο τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος ἐμβὰς μετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο ᾧ δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήματι. (John 5:4)
For an angel would come down at a certain time into the pool, and the water would be stirred. Then the first who stepped in after the stirring of the water would become healthy, whatever disease he was held by.
A Verse in QuestionJohn 5:4, though absent from the earliest manuscripts, reflects a well-known tradition about the pool of Bethesda: an angel would periodically descend, stir the waters, and the first person to enter would be healed.… Learn Koine Greek
Renunciation and Revelation: The Apostle’s Model of Transparent Ministry
Ἀλλ’ ἀπειπάμεθα τὰ κρυπτὰ τῆς αἰσχύνης, μὴ περιπατοῦντες ἐν πανουργίᾳ μηδὲ δολοῦντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀλλὰ τῇ φανερώσει τῆς ἀληθείας συνιστῶντες ἑαυτοὺς πρὸς πᾶσαν συνείδησιν ἀνθρώπων ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ. (2 Corinthians 4:2)
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor falsifying the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of people before God.
Turning from Darkness to LightIn 2 Corinthians 4:2, Paul opens with a bold declaration of moral and ministerial integrity. The aorist verb ἀπειπάμεθα (“we have renounced”) signals a decisive and completed rejection, not a gradual distancing.… Learn Koine Greek
Captivated and Carried Away: Participial Chains and Gendered Grammar in 2 Timothy 3:6
Ἐκ τούτων γάρ εἰσιν οἱ ἐνδύνοντες εἰς τὰς οἰκίας καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες γυναικάρια σεσωρευμένα ἁμαρτίαις, ἀγόμενα ἐπιθυμίαις ποικίλαις, (2 Timothy 3:6)
For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak-willed women burdened with sins, led astray by various desires.
Seducers and the Seduced: Paul’s Syntax of Moral DeclineIn 2 Timothy 3:6, Paul offers a profile of manipulative deceivers and their vulnerable targets. Through an intense chain of participles and passives, the verse depicts predators who infiltrate homes and ensnare weak-willed women, using both morphology and syntax to dramatize the spiritual captivity.
We’ll use a grammar table to unpack this vivid passage, focusing on:
– Participles indicating actions of infiltration and manipulation – Passive participles marking moral vulnerability – Prepositional phrases with dative or accusative – Gender-specific diminutives with theological implications
Grammatical Analysis Table Greek Phrase Form & Morphology Function Meaning ἐκ τούτων γάρ εἰσιν Preposition + demonstrative (gen.… Learn Koine GreekGrammatical Incarnation: How Syntax Bears Divine Meaning in John 1:1
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος. (John 1:1)
This verse isn’t just theology expressed in Greek—it’s theology through Greek. Every grammatical choice becomes a theological statement. Let’s dissect three linguistic miracles that shape this doctrinal foundation.
Three Pillars of Sacred Grammar 1. The Definite Article as Theological Marker: ὁ λόγοςThe article ὁ transforms λόγος from abstract concept to divine person. Compare:
Construction Grammar Function Christological Impact ὁ λόγος Identifiable subject Personal, knowable Word λόγος (hypothetical anarthrous) Indefinite/conceptual Would imply impersonal force 2. ἦν: The Imperfect Tense as Eternity’s VerbThe threefold ἦν (imperfect of εἰμί) creates a grammatical trinity:
Aspect: Continuous action (no beginning/end) Theological Code: Echoes John 8:58’s divine claim “Before Abraham was, I AM” (πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγώ εἰμι) Contrast: Compare with aorist ἐγένετο in John 1:14 for incarnation 3.… Learn Koine Greek
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Power from Above: Divine Sovereignty and Moral Responsibility in John 19:11
John 19:11 takes place during Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate. Pilate has just asked Jesus, “Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” (John 19:10). Jesus replies with the verse in question, exposing the illusion of Roman power and asserting a divine framework behind human actions. This verse is a theological fulcrum — it speaks to divine sovereignty, delegated authority, and relative guilt.
Structural Analysisἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς· οὐκ εἶχες ἐξουσίαν οὐδεμίαν κατ’ ἐμοῦ, εἰ μὴ ἦν δεδομένον σοι ἄνωθεν· διὰ τοῦτο ὁ παραδιδούς μέ σοι μείζονα ἁμαρτίαν ἔχει.
The sentence unfolds in two parts: first, a correction of Pilate’s claim to power, and second, a statement about the relative guilt of those involved in Jesus’ betrayal and condemnation.… Learn Koine Greek
When Two Sound as One: Conditional Prayer and the Grammar of Agreement
Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν δύο ὑμῶν συμφωνήσωσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς περὶ παντὸς πράγματος οὗ ἐὰν αἰτήσωνται, γενήσεται αὐτοῖς παρὰ τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς. (Matthew 18:19)
Again, truly I say to you: if two of you agree on earth concerning any matter whatever they may ask, it will come to pass for them from my Father who is in the heavens.
A Seminar in the Syntax of Prayer (Q&A Style) Q: Why does the sentence begin with Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν?A: The cluster Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν forms a solemn discourse marker: “Truly, I say to you again.”… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Exegesis, Syntax, Theology
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Power in Weakness: Divine Strength and the Subjunctive of Purpose in 2 Corinthians 12:9
Καὶ εἴρηκέ μοι· ἀρκεῖ σοι ἡ χάρις μου· ἡ γὰρ δύναμίς μου ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελειοῦται. ἥδιστα οὖν μᾶλλον καυχήσομαι ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου, ἵνα ἐπισκηνώσῃ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Χριστοῦ. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
And he has said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will rather boast most gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell upon me.
The Grammar of Surrender and Strength2 Corinthians 12:9 records the Lord’s personal word to Paul in response to his plea for relief. But the answer is unexpected and transformative: not deliverance, but grace.… Learn Koine Greek
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