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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
Self-Testimony and Truth: Word Order and Legal Challenge in John 8:13
Εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι· σὺ περὶ σεαυτοῦ μαρτυρεῖς· ἡ μαρτυρία σου οὐκ ἔστιν ἀληθής. (John 8:13)
The Accusation Framed: Syntax of Confrontation
John 8:13 features a sharp interjection from the Pharisees in response to Jesus’ earlier declaration, “I am the light of the world.” Their rebuttal is legal, grammatical, and tactically arranged. This verse shows how Greek word order, emphatic pronouns, and predicate structure work together to form a challenge rooted in Jewish evidentiary standards (cf. Deut. 19:15).
The Subject Speaks: εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ Φαρισαῖοιεἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι “So the Pharisees said to him”
εἶπον – aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural of λέγω, introducing direct speech.… Learn Koine GreekPeace for Those Who Walk the Line: The Blessing on the Israel of God
Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ Θεοῦ. (Galatians 6:16)
And as many as will walk by this rule, peace be upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Exegetical AnalysisThe verse opens with the coordinating conjunction καί (“and”), continuing Paul’s concluding benediction. The relative pronoun ὅσοι (“as many as”) introduces a conditional blessing. The verb στοιχήσουσιν is future active indicative, third person plural from στοιχέω, meaning “to walk in line with” or “to follow orderly conduct.” It’s a military or moral term implying conformity to a rule or standard.… Learn Koine Greek
Watch and Continue: Salvation Through Persevering Fidelity
Ἔπεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν καὶ σεαυτὸν σώσεις καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντάς σου. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; continue in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Exegetical AnalysisThe verse opens with the imperative ἔπεχε (“pay close attention”), a present active imperative from ἐπέχω, which conveys sustained attention or devotion. It governs two objects: σεαυτῷ (“yourself”) and τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ (“the teaching”), forming a double focus—personal conduct and doctrinal integrity. The second command ἐπίμενε (“continue, persist”) is also a present active imperative, from ἐπιμένω, reinforcing the need for constancy.… Learn Koine Greek
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Joy Multiplied: Shared Rejoicing in Philippians 2:18
Philippians 2:18 is the closing word of a mini-section (vv. 17–18) where Paul reflects on his potential martyrdom using the metaphor of a sacrificial offering. In verse 17, he compares his life to a drink offering poured out upon the sacrifice and service of the Philippians’ faith. Then, despite the ominous tone, he expresses gladness and invites the same response from his readers. Verse 18 echoes and intensifies this invitation: their joy should match his, even in suffering.
Structural Analysisτὸ δ’ αὐτὸ καὶ ὑμεῖς χαίρετε καὶ συγχαίρετέ μοι.
The sentence consists of three elements: a resumptive demonstrative phrase τὸ δ’ αὐτὸ (“and the same thing”), followed by two imperatives: χαίρετε (“rejoice”) and συγχαίρετε (“rejoice with”).… Learn Koine Greek
Into the Bosom of Meaning: Theological Disclosure and Greek Syntax in John 1:18
Θεὸν οὐδεὶς ἑώρακεν πώποτε· ὁ μονογενὴς υἱὸς ὁ ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ πατρὸς ἐκεῖνος ἐξηγήσατο (John 1:18)
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
Opening the Verse: The Divine RevelationJohn 1:18 is a climactic theological declaration in the prologue of the Fourth Gospel. It moves from the universal (“Θεὸν οὐδεὶς ἑώρακεν πώποτε”) to the particular (“ὁ μονογενὴς υἱὸς”), describing an unparalleled event: the exegeting of God by the only Son. At the heart of this verse lies a rich convergence of Greek syntactic structure, verbal nuance, and christological depth.… Learn Koine Greek
Seeking the Fruit, Not the Gift: Paul’s Heart for the Philippians in Philippians 4:17
Οὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα, ἀλλ’ ἐπιζητῶ τὸν καρπὸν τὸν πλεονάζοντα εἰς λόγον ὑμῶν. (Philippians 4:17)
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit increasing to your account.
Philippians 4:17 expresses Paul’s pastoral sincerity in his relationship with the Philippians. While they supported him financially, Paul emphasizes that he values not the material gift itself but the spiritual benefit that accrues to them through their generosity. The Greek grammar reinforces this profound relational and theological point.
Grammatical Foundationsοὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα—”Not that I seek the gift.”
οὐχ (a form of οὐ) negates the following clause. ὅτι introduces indirect speech or explanation.… Learn Koine GreekDaily Discernment and Noble Minds: The Berean Pattern
Οὗτοι δὲ ἦσαν εὐγενέστεροι τῶν ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ, οἵτινες ἐδέξαντο τὸν λόγον μετὰ πάσης προθυμίας, τὸ καθ’ ἡμέραν ἀνακρίνοντες τὰς γραφὰς εἰ ἔχοι ταῦτα οὕτω. (Acts 17:11)
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Exegetical AnalysisThis verse begins with a contrastive δὲ and the demonstrative plural οὗτοι, referring to the Jews in Beroea (v.10), who are now described as εὐγενέστεροι — “more noble” or “more open-minded” than those in Thessalonica. The adjective is comparative and suggests a higher moral and intellectual character, not noble birth.… Learn Koine Greek
Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed: Conditional Syntax and Theological Hyperbole in Matthew 17:20
Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται· καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. (Matthew 17:20)
In this verse, Jesus rebukes unbelief and sets forth a conditional statement that blends vivid hyperbole with theological assurance. The Greek construction moves from the cause of failure to the potential of faith, using precise grammar to underscore divine empowerment.
Cause Stated: διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶνThe preposition διά with the accusative expresses the reason: “because of your unbelief.” The definite article τήν makes ἀπιστίαν specific—this is not generic doubt, but a concrete failure in the present situation.… Learn Koine Greek
Doing Good While We Have Time: A Call to Active Love in Galatians 6:10
Ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν, ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας, μάλιστα δὲ πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως. (Galatians 6:10)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us work the good toward all, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:10 gives a warm and urgent exhortation to proactive love and goodness. The Greek structure ties opportunity, action, and spiritual family together into a seamless vision of Christian living that is timely, practical, and deeply communal.
Grammatical Foundationsἄρα οὖν—“Therefore then.” This double particle (ἄρα and οὖν) strengthens the inference: a strong conclusion based on preceding truths about sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–9).… Learn Koine Greek
Guarding the Doctrine, Turning from Division: A Greek Exegesis of Romans 16:17
Romans 16:17 appears near the conclusion of Paul’s monumental epistle, just before his final greetings. The verse stands out as a sudden and earnest pastoral appeal. Having expounded the gospel, issued ethical exhortations, and offered rich theological reflection, Paul now warns the Roman believers about those who disrupt the unity of the church. This is no generic admonition — it is tightly woven into the letter’s concern for doctrinal fidelity and communal harmony.
Structural AnalysisΠαρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, σκοπεῖν τοὺς τὰς διχοστασίας καὶ τὰ σκάνδαλα παρὰ τὴν διδαχὴν ἣν ὑμεῖς ἐμάθετε ποιοῦντας, καὶ ἐκκλίνατε ἀπ’ αὐτῶν·
The verse begins with an earnest appeal: Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί — “Now I urge you, brothers.”… Learn Koine Greek
