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Category Archives: Grammar
The Grammar of Moral Memory
Τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα. (Mark 10:19)
You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother.
Mark 10:19 opens with a declaration of familiarity — τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας (“you know the commandments”). The verb οἶδας is the perfect active indicative of οἶδα (“to know”), a verb whose perfect form functions as a present in meaning. Its grammatical aspect denotes a completed acquisition of knowledge with continuing results.… Learn Koine Greek
The Grammar of Divine Authority
Οὐδεὶς αἴρει αὐτὴν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ, ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ τίθημι αὐτὴν ἀπ’ ἐμαυτοῦ· ἐξουσίαν ἔχω θεῖναι αὐτήν, καὶ ἐξουσίαν ἔχω πάλιν λαβεῖν αὐτήν· ταύτην τὴν ἐντολὴν ἔλαβον παρὰ τοῦ Πατρός μου. (John 10:18)
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This command I received from my Father.
This verse forms a syntactic and theological masterpiece where every verb bears the weight of divine autonomy. The central claim—οὐδεὶς αἴρει αὐτὴν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ—establishes the independence of Christ’s action: “No one takes it from me.”… Learn Koine Greek
Grammar of Warning: The Imperative of Vigilance
Προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων· παραδώσουσι γὰρ ὑμᾶς εἰς συνέδρια, καὶ ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν μαστιγώσουσιν ὑμᾶς· (Matthew 10:17)
But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
The command προσέχετε (“beware”) opens this verse with sharp urgency. It is a present active imperative, second person plural of προσέχω, meaning “to pay attention,” “to be cautious,” or “to guard oneself.” The present imperative form emphasizes ongoing vigilance, not a momentary reaction. This grammatical aspect implies that disciples must maintain continual awareness — a sustained, habitual watchfulness. The connective δὲ (“but”) introduces contrast, marking a transition from general exhortation to specific warning.… Learn Koine Greek
Reaching the Limit: Grammatical Precision and Apostolic Geography in 2 Corinthians 10:14
Οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς· ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, (2 Corinthians 10:14)
For we are not overextending ourselves as though not reaching to you, for we did come even as far as you with the gospel of Christ.
Paul’s defense of his apostleship in 2 Corinthians is as much grammatical as theological. In this verse, he argues that his authority legitimately extends to the Corinthians because his ministry has already reached them through the gospel. The sentence is syntactically intricate: a negated comparative clause (οὐ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι), a middle verb of extent (ὑπερεκτείνομεν), and a completed action verb (ἐφθάσαμεν) together create a dynamic blend of metaphor and precision.… Learn Koine Greek
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
Names, Appositions, and the Grammar of Betrayal
Σίμων ὁ Κανανίτης καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν. (Matthew 10:4)
Simon the Cananite and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
The Syntax of the ListThis verse belongs to Matthew’s catalog of the twelve apostles. It closes the list with a stark juxtaposition: – Σίμων ὁ Κανανίτης – “Simon the Cananite (Zealot)” – Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης – “Judas Iscariot”
The verse ends not with simple naming but with a chilling apposition: ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν — “the one who also betrayed him.”
Titles in Apposition: ὁ Κανανίτης, ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης– ὁ Κανανίτης: Appositional article + adjective. Likely from Aramaic *qanʾān*, “zealous one.”… Learn Koine Greek
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A Vision at the Ninth Hour: Participial Narrative and Divine Encounter in Acts 10:3
Εἶδεν ἐν ὁράματι φανερῶς ὡσεὶ ὥραν ἐνάτην τῆς ἡμέρας ἄγγελον τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθόντα πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἰπόντα αὐτῷ· Κορνήλιε. (Acts 10:3)
He saw clearly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him and saying to him, “Cornelius.”
This verse narrates a pivotal moment in Acts: Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, receives a vision that will lead to the inclusion of the nations in the gospel. The grammar is layered and deliberate: a main verb situates the experience, adverbial modifiers frame its clarity and time, and participles depict the angel’s entrance and speech.… 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
