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Greek Lessons
- The Gift of Tongues as Known Languages: Witness of the Early Church Fathers
- From Jerusalem with Scrutiny: Fronting and Focus in Mark 7:1
- Speaking in Tongues in the Bible
- Grace Beyond Demand: Participles and Imperatives in a Kingdom Ethic
- Reverent Burial and Narrative Simplicity: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Mark 6:29
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Category
Category Archives: Exegesis
No Regard for Faces: Grammatical Irony and Moral Clarity in Matthew 22:16
καὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν μετὰ τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν λέγοντες· διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ διδάσκεις, καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός· οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπου· (Matthew 22:16)
Setting the Trap with Polished Greek
This verse opens the famous entrapment scene regarding taxes to Caesar. But before the trap is sprung, the Pharisees and Herodians present their false flattery—and it is crafted with exquisite Greek. The grammar is not casual; it is deliberate, loaded with theological irony and syntactic elegance.
We explore:
The nuance of οὐ μέλει σοι as a Greek idiom for detachment or impartiality The syntax of βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπου and its Semitic backdrop The participial structure λέγοντες and its discourse function The phrase τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ and prepositional theology Grammar in Disguise: “You Do Not Care about Anyone”The phrase οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός contains the idiomatic use of the impersonal verb μέλει (“it is a care/concern to…”).… Learn Koine Greek
The Test of Trust: Interpreting Earthly Wealth in Luke 16:11
Luke 16:11 comes in the aftermath of the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1–9), a notoriously challenging passage in which Jesus commends shrewdness in handling worldly wealth. The surrounding verses (10–13) form a series of sayings about faithfulness, trust, and stewardship. Verse 11 is part of a logical sequence: if one proves unfaithful with lesser, earthly matters, how can one be entrusted with eternal ones? This verse plays a pivotal role in transitioning from the parable to direct ethical and theological application.
Structural Analysisεἰ οὖν ἐν τῷ ἀδίκῳ μαμωνᾷ πιστοὶ οὐκ ἐγένεσθε, τὸ ἀληθινὸν τίς ὑμῖν πιστεύσει;
This is a first-class conditional sentence, with the condition assumed to be true for the sake of argument.… Learn Koine Greek
Ambition Toward the Invisible: Participles and Purpose in 2 Corinthians 5:9
διὸ καὶ φιλοτιμούμεθα, εἴτε ἐνδημοῦντες εἴτε ἐκδημοῦντες, εὐάρεστοι αὐτῷ εἶναι. (2 Corinthians 5:9)
Living to Please the Unseen Judge
This verse unfolds Paul’s deepest drive: the desire to be found pleasing to the Lord, whether in life or death, presence or absence. The syntax is deliberate, layered with participial motion and verb-subject dynamics that reveal a life of holy ambition grounded in eschatological accountability.
This study explores:
The middle voice nuance of φιλοτιμούμεθα as sacred ambition The syntactic pairing εἴτε ἐνδημοῦντες εἴτε ἐκδημοῦντες as a rhetorical balance The infinitival purpose clause εὐάρεστοι αὐτῷ εἶναι and its theological force φιλοτιμούμεθα – Holy Aspiration in the Middle VoiceThe central verb φιλοτιμούμεθα comes from φιλοτιμέομαι, meaning “to aspire,” “to strive eagerly,” or “to consider it an honor.”… Learn Koine Greek
Victory Before the Storm: Perfect Tense and Peace in John 16:33
ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ εἰρήνην ἔχητε. ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ θλῖψιν ἔξετε· ἀλλὰ θαρσεῖτε, ἐγὼ νενίκηκα τὸν κόσμον.
The Grammar of Final Words
In John 16:33, Jesus offers His final words before the High Priestly Prayer and His arrest. These words are not casual; they are structured with theological tension and grammatical power. Two perfect-tense verbs—λελάληκα and νενίκηκα—frame the entire verse. Between them sits a storm: θλῖψιν (“tribulation”). This verse teaches not just about peace and courage, but how grammar itself becomes an anchor for those walking through affliction.
Grammatical Focus: The Perfect Tense as Completed VictoryThe perfect tense in Greek describes a completed action with continuing results.… Learn Koine Greek
“Pay Close Attention”: The Grammar of Perseverance in 1 Timothy 4:16
ἔπεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν καὶ σεαυτὸν σώσεις καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντάς σου. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Fidelity in Doctrine and Discipline
This exhortation from Paul to Timothy delivers a profound charge through a string of imperatives and participles. The grammatical structure unites self-discipline and sound doctrine into one saving path—both for the teacher and the hearers. Let us trace the syntax of spiritual vigilance and pedagogical persistence.
Analyzing the Syntax and Commands Greek Phrase Grammatical Role Comment ἔπεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ 2nd person singular present active imperative + datives “Pay attention to yourself and to the teaching”—parallel datives indicate dual focus ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς 2nd person singular present active imperative + dative “Persevere in them”—referring back to the two datives: lifestyle and doctrine τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν Present active participle + neuter demonstrative “For doing this”—summarizing the entire instruction καὶ σεαυτὸν σώσεις Future active indicative + reflexive pronoun “You will save yourself”—emphasizing individual accountability καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντάς σου Articular participle + possessive pronoun “And those listening to you”—impact extends beyond self to community Key Observations Dual Dative: The structure σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ links ethics and theology, behavior and belief—suggesting both are essential for true leadership.… Learn Koine GreekReady to Preach: Apostolic Eagerness in Romans 1:15
Romans 1:15 concludes Paul’s opening expression of longing to visit the believers in Rome (vv. 8–15). After describing his prayers, obligations to all people, and desire to impart a spiritual gift (vv. 11–14), Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel even in Rome — the capital of the empire. This verse serves as a hinge, transitioning from the introduction into the main theological thesis (v. 16).
Structural Analysisοὕτω τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ εὐαγγελίσασθαι.
The sentence consists of: (1) the adverbial particle οὕτω (“thus/so”), (2) a nominal clause τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον — “my readiness” or “what is eager in me,” and (3) an infinitive of purpose εὐαγγελίσασθαι (“to preach the gospel”), with its dative object ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ (“to you in Rome”).… Learn Koine Greek
Zeal and Edification: Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 14:12
1 Corinthians 14:12 is part of Paul’s sustained discussion of spiritual gifts (chapters 12–14), with a special focus in chapter 14 on regulating tongues and prophecy in the gathered assembly. The Corinthian believers were enthusiastic for spiritual manifestations, especially tongues. Paul redirects that zeal toward a greater goal — the building up (οἰκοδομή) of the church. This verse functions as a corrective exhortation, blending commendation with redirection.
Structural Analysisοὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.
The sentence unfolds in three parts: (1) οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “So also you” — linking the Corinthians to the prior comparison (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek
Moved with Compassion: Healing the Sick in Matthew 14:14
Matthew 14:14 takes place just after Jesus has withdrawn by boat to a solitary place following the death of John the Baptist. Yet the crowds pursue him on foot from the towns. When Jesus disembarks, he encounters a massive crowd. This verse encapsulates the beginning of his response — not withdrawal or rebuke, but healing motivated by compassion. It prepares the way for the miraculous feeding that follows in verses 15–21.
Structural AnalysisΚαὶ ἐξελθὼν εἶδε πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐθεράπευσε τοὺς ἀρρώστους αὐτῶν.
The verse features a sequence of three aorist verbs joined by καί: ἐξελθὼν (“having gone out”), εἶδε (“he saw”), ἐσπλαγχνίσθη (“he was moved with compassion”), and ἐθεράπευσε (“he healed”).… Learn Koine Greek
The Value of Devotion: Passive Verbs and Misguided Indignation
ἠδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο τὸ μύρον πραθῆναι ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς· καὶ ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ. (Mark 14:5)
The Grammatical Voice of Economic Critique
In Mark 14:5, we encounter a moment charged with tension—devotion misjudged as waste. The grammar of this verse features two striking passive infinitives, a weighty monetary reference, and a final emotional verb that echoes with rebuke. The structure reflects not only economic reasoning but also reveals how linguistic choices can dramatize the blindness of human judgment when faced with divine acts of love.
ἠδύνατο… πραθῆναι – “It could have been sold”The opening clause begins with:
ἠδύνατο – imperfect middle/passive indicative, 3rd person singular of δύναμαι, meaning “it was possible” or “it could have been” τοῦτο τὸ μύρον – “this ointment”; a demonstrative followed by a definite noun with article = emphasis and specificity πραθῆναι – aorist passive infinitive of πιπράσκω, “to be sold”The passive voice here is crucial.… Learn Koine Greek
The Indignation Within: Interrogating Waste and Worth in Mark 14:4
Mark 14:4 is part of the account of a woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume at Bethany. This act, narrated shortly before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, becomes a flashpoint for conflicting values: generosity vs. waste, worship vs. practicality. In verse 4, a group of bystanders reacts negatively to the woman’s action. Their inner indignation sets the stage for Jesus’ interpretation of the act as a prophetic preparation for his burial (Mark 14:6–9). Thus, the verse acts as a narrative pivot between human judgment and divine commendation.
Structural Analysisἦσαν δέ τινες ἀγανακτοῦντες πρὸς ἑαυτούς λέγοντες· εἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη τοῦ μύρου γέγονεν;
The verse begins with a circumstantial clause: ἦσαν δέ τινες ἀγανακτοῦντες — “But there were some who were indignant.”… Learn Koine Greek
