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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 Archives: Grammar
The Mystery Manifested: A Greek Exegesis of 1 Timothy 3:16
The verse καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶ τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον introduces a creedal or hymnic formulation embedded within the flow of Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Situated immediately after exhortations concerning church leadership and conduct (1 Timothy 3:1–15), this verse functions both as a theological climax and a christological anchor. It offers a poetic confession that encapsulates the mystery of godliness — not as an abstract concept but as a revealed person and mission.
Structural AnalysisThe structure is symmetrical and rhythmic. The main clause — μέγα ἐστὶ τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον — sets up a predicate of astonishing magnitude: “great is the mystery of godliness.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Satan Entered: Grammatical Precision and Theological Shock in Luke 22:3
Εἰσῆλθε δὲ ὁ σατανᾶς εἰς Ἰούδαν τὸν ἐπικαλούμενον Ἰσκαριώτην, ὄντα ἐκ τοῦ ἀριθμοῦ τῶν δώδεκα, (Luke 22:3)
Then Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
The Betrayer’s Moment: Literary and Theological Context of Luke 22:3This terse but weighty verse initiates the betrayal sequence in Luke’s Passion Narrative. The language is grammatically straightforward but theologically profound: Satan is now said to “enter” Judas, leading directly to the conspiracy with the chief priests (v. 4). The syntax employs sharp clarity to emphasize the gravity and shock of the event—particularly through the compound identification of Judas and the forceful verb of indwelling.… Learn Koine Greek
Resurrection and Possession: A Grammatical Riddle in Matthew 22:28
Ἐν τῇ οὖν ἀναστάσει τίνος τῶν ἑπτὰ ἔσται ἡ γυνή; πάντες γὰρ ἔσχον αὐτήν. (Matthew 22:28)
In the resurrection, then, of which of the seven will the woman be? For all had her.
The Syntax of a Trick QuestionThis verse arises in the context of the Sadducees testing Jesus with a hypothetical scenario involving levirate marriage. The Greek sentence itself is deliberately constructed to reflect the rhetorical trap. The clause ἐν τῇ οὖν ἀναστάσει (“in the resurrection, then”) is a prepositional phrase using ἐν + dative. The particle οὖν functions inferentially, pointing back to the elaborate scenario and introducing the logical consequence of their story.… Learn Koine Greek
“ἐκλήθη”: Divine Guest or Invited Savior? The Aorist Passive in John 2:2
The verb ἐκλήθη (“was invited”) in John 2:2, though grammatically modest—aorist passive indicative—carries profound theological and narrative weight. It introduces Jesus not as a commanding figure, but as a guest, welcomed into human celebration. Yet this passive entry sets the stage for divine transformation: the invited One becomes the giver of abundance. Through morphology, syntax, and semantic resonance, ἐκλήθη encapsulates Johannine irony, covenantal echoes, and the theology of incarnation—where heaven enters history by invitation, and grace begins with presence.
The Guest Who Becomes the GiverIn John 2:2, Jesus and his disciples are introduced as guests to the wedding at Kana: “Jesus also was invited to the wedding, along with his disciples.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Grammar of Appeal: Conditional Particles and Rhetorical Force in Philippians 2:1
Εἴ τις οὖν παράκλησις ἐν Χριστῷ, εἴ τι παραμύθιον ἀγάπης, εἴ τις κοινωνία Πνεύματος, εἴ τις σπλάγχνα καὶ οἰκτιρμοί, (Philippians 2:1)
Paul’s Conditional Framework
Philippians 2:1 begins one of Paul’s most moving exhortations, where he appeals to the believers’ shared experience in Christ as the foundation for unity. The verse consists of four conditional clauses introduced by εἴ (“if”): Εἴ τις οὖν παράκλησις ἐν Χριστῷ, εἴ τι παραμύθιον ἀγάπης, εἴ τις κοινωνία Πνεύματος, εἴ τις σπλάγχνα καὶ οἰκτιρμοί. These clauses pile up rhetorical “ifs,” not to express doubt but to remind the Philippians of realities they already know. In effect, the construction is equivalent to: “Since there is encouragement in Christ…”
Breaking Down the Clauses Εἴ τις οὖν παράκλησις ἐν Χριστῷ — “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ.”… Learn Koine GreekReigning Powers: Subjunctive Mood and Theological Contrast in Romans 5:21
ἵνα ὥσπερ ἐβασίλευσεν ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ, οὕτω καὶ ἡ χάρις βασιλεύσει διὰ δικαιοσύνης εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν. — Romans 5:21
The Grammatical Architecture of PurposePaul’s sentence begins with the purpose clause marker ἵνα (“in order that”), introducing a profound theological contrast between two cosmic reigns: that of ἁμαρτία (sin) and that of χάρις (grace). The grammar mirrors the message: just as sin once reigned in the realm of death, grace will reign—through righteousness—into eternal life.
This sentence contains a masterful use of tenses and moods to highlight what was, and what is to come.… Learn Koine Greek
Footsteps and Spirit: Syntax and Rhetoric in Paul’s Defense
Παρεκάλεσα Τίτον καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν· μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος; οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν; οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσι; (2 Corinthians 12:18)
I urged Titus and sent the brother with him; surely Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same footsteps?
Παρεκάλεσα…καὶ συναπέστειλα: Coordinated AoristsThe verse opens with two coordinated first person singular aorist active indicative verbs: παρεκάλεσα (“I urged”) and συναπέστειλα (“I sent together”). These aorists are used to refer to definite past actions, emphasizing Paul’s personal involvement in a decision he made at a particular moment in time.… Learn Koine Greek
Come and Eat: Recognition and Reverence in John 21:12
λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτόν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ κύριός ἐστιν
John 21:12 is a moment of quiet recognition after the resurrection. The Greek captures a gentle invitation, a reverent silence, and a certainty about Jesus’ identity without the need for words. The structure juxtaposes command and restraint, speech and silence, presence and awe.
Grammatical Foundationsλέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς—“Jesus says to them.” Present active indicative, 3rd person singular from λέγω, marking speech in narrative present. αὐτοῖς is dative plural: “to them.” The subject ὁ Ἰησοῦς appears after the verb, typical of Koine style.… Learn Koine Greek
Written by My Own Hand: Emphasis and Intimacy in Galatians 6:11
Ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί (Galatians 6:11)
See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand.
Galatians 6:11 marks a dramatic shift in tone and presentation. Paul, after dictating the letter through a scribe (as was common practice), now takes the stylus himself. The Greek draws attention to the act of writing and the form of the letters. It’s a moment of personal emphasis and visual signature, charged with apostolic authority and emotional urgency.
Grammatical FoundationsThe verse begins with the imperative Ἴδετε—“See!” or “Look!” It is a present active imperative, 2nd person plural from ὁράω, functioning as a direct call to attention.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Galatians 6:10
Ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν, ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας, μάλιστα δὲ πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως. (Galatians 6:10)
Therefore then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all—especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Hortatory Subjunctive and Temporal Clause with ὡςThis verse combines logical inference, temporal awareness, and ethical exhortation. Paul encourages action with the use of a hortatory subjunctive, framed by a temporal clause. The syntax promotes urgency and a priority for doing good to all, especially fellow believers.
Inference Particles: ἄρα οὖνThe combination ἄρα οὖν introduces a conclusion or inference drawn from the preceding context.… Learn Koine Greek
