Category Archives: Grammar

The indicative mood in New Testament Greek is primarily used to express factual statements and actual occurrences. The tenses in the indicative mood convey both the time of action and the kind of action (aspect). Understanding these tenses is crucial for accurate interpretation of the New Testament texts.

Present Tense

The present tense denotes an action that is occurring in the present time, often with a sense of continuous or repeated action. It can also express general truths or habitual actions, known as gnomic presents. Example: ἀγαπᾷ τὸν θεόν – He/she loves God (with an ongoing sense of love). Gnomic Example: ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν – God is love (a timeless truth).… Learn Koine Greek

New Testament Greek, or Koine Greek, is a rich and nuanced language that offers profound depth to biblical interpretation. One of the essential aspects of this language is its system of tenses, which not only indicate the time of an action but also reveal the kind of action being described. Understanding the tenses in New Testament Greek is critical for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the original meaning of the Scriptures. This article explores the different tenses, their functions, and how they contribute to a more accurate understanding of the New Testament.

The Nature of Greek Tenses: Time vs. Aspect

Unlike English, where verb tenses primarily convey the time an action occurs (past, present, or future), Greek tenses emphasize aspect—the nature or type of action.… Learn Koine Greek

New Testament Greek, also known as Koine Greek, is a rich and expressive language that relies heavily on moods and tenses to convey meaning, intention, and nuance. The syntax of these grammatical features provides a window into the text’s deeper meanings and the author’s intended message. This article delves into the syntax of the moods and tenses in New Testament Greek, exploring how they function, interact, and contribute to the interpretation of the biblical text.

The Importance of Moods and Tenses in Koine Greek Syntax

Understanding the syntax of moods and tenses is crucial for accurately interpreting the New Testament. Unlike English, where word order plays a dominant role, Greek relies on verb forms to express nuances of time, aspect, and mood.… Learn Koine Greek

The definite article in New Testament Greek—ὁ, ἡ, τό and their declined forms—plays a far more dynamic role than simply marking definiteness like the English word “the.” In Koine Greek, the article has wide-ranging grammatical and semantic functions, including identification, specification, substantivization, and syntactic signaling. Understanding how the article operates is essential for accurate exegesis and interpretation.

1. Definition and Basic Function

The Greek definite article is a grammatical marker that typically functions to make a noun or phrase definite—that is, identifiable or known to the speaker and audience. It corresponds roughly to the English “the,” but is used more broadly in Greek.… Learn Koine Greek

The verbs ἐστίν (estin) and ἦν (ēn) are forms of the Greek verb εἰμί, meaning “to be.” These forms are crucial in understanding the structure and meaning of many New Testament passages. While ἐστίν is the present tense, ἦν is the imperfect tense, each serving distinct functions in narrative and theological contexts. 1. The Present Tense: ἐστίν

The word ἐστίν (estin) is the third person singular form of εἰμί in the present indicative, meaning “he is,” “she is,” or “it is.” It indicates a current state of being.

Examples of ἐστίν in the New Testament

1. John 1:1 Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.… Learn Koine Greek

Personal pronouns in New Testament Greek serve to indicate the speaker, the addressee, or the person being spoken about. While Greek verbs typically encode the subject within their endings, personal pronouns are still used for emphasis, contrast, or clarity. This article outlines the forms and functions of Greek personal pronouns, focusing on subject (nominative) and object (accusative, dative, and genitive) cases.

1. Overview of Personal Pronouns

Greek personal pronouns vary in form according to person (1st, 2nd, 3rd), number (singular, plural), gender (in the 3rd person), and case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative).

1st person: speaker (I, we) 2nd person: addressee (you) 3rd person: person/thing spoken about (he, she, it, they)

While subject pronouns (nominative) are often omitted because verb endings indicate person and number, object pronouns (accusative/dative/genitive) are required when acting as verbal complements or modifiers.… Learn Koine Greek