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Greek Lessons
- The Question of Eternal Life: Syntax of Testing and Inquiry in Luke 10:25
- The Grammar of Astonishment and Difficulty
- The Urgency of Flight: Syntax, Eschatology, and the Grammar of Mission in Matthew 10:23
- Provoking the Lord: The Peril of Presumption
- The Great Priest Over God’s House: The Foundation of Confident Access
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Category
Category Archives: Grammar
What Is Gain? Present Infinitives, Cognate Accusatives, and the Grammar of Loss and Glory
Ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε καὶ ἡγοῦμαι πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου μου, δι’ ὃν τὰ πάντα ἐζημιώθην, καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα εἶναι ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω (Philippians 3:8)
But indeed I also consider all things to be loss because of the surpassing worth of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and I consider them rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Counting Loss to Gain ChristIn Philippians 3:8, Paul declares with emotional intensity and grammatical elegance that everything once considered valuable is now worthless trash — compared to knowing Christ.… Learn Koine Greek
Recognizing the Nearness: The Kingdom at the Gates in Luke 21:31
Luke 21:31 appears within Jesus’ “Olivet Discourse” — a prophetic and apocalyptic speech (Luke 21:5–36) where he foretells the destruction of the temple, coming tribulations, and cosmic signs. In the immediate context, Jesus has just given the parable of the fig tree (v. 29–30), illustrating that certain signs indicate the changing seasons. Verse 31 draws the theological conclusion: just as budding trees signal the approach of summer, so these unfolding events signal the imminent arrival of the kingdom of God.
Structural Analysisοὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ὅταν ἴδητε ταῦτα γινόμενα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ.
The structure follows a clear “just as… so you…” comparison.… Learn Koine Greek
Unity Without Burden: Apostolic Discernment and Gentile Boundaries in Acts 21:25
This verse revisits the apostolic decree issued earlier at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), reaffirming the instructions for Gentile believers amidst rising tensions in Judea. Paul is returning to Jerusalem where accusations swirl about his stance on Torah observance. The elders, seeking peace, reference the previous agreement: while Jewish believers may continue to observe the law, Gentile believers are not required to do so. This single sentence encapsulates both the theological maturity and political sensitivity of the early Church.
Structural AnalysisThe structure unfolds in a cause-effect form:
περὶ δὲ τῶν πεπιστευκότων ἐθνῶν ἡμεῖς ἐπεστείλαμεν κρίναντες μηδὲν τοιοῦτον τηρεῖν αὐτοὺς εἰ μὴ φυλάσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς τό τε εἰδωλόθυτον καὶ τὸ αἷμα καὶ πνικτὸν καὶ πορνείαν
The main verb ἐπεστείλαμεν (“we wrote/commanded”) is qualified by κρίναντες (“having judged/decided”), which introduces the rationale.… Learn Koine Greek
The Self-Emptying: Greek Grammar in the Descent of Christ
Ἀλλ’ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος (Philippians 2:7)
But he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:7 stands at the center of the famous “Christ Hymn” (Philippians 2:6–11), portraying Jesus’ voluntary humility. The verse — ἀλλ’ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος — contains two aorist participles that unpack the main verb ἐκένωσε (“emptied himself”). The grammar intensifies the mystery: the eternal Son of God empties himself not by subtraction, but by taking — taking the form of a servant, becoming like us.
Grammatical Highlights ἀλλ’ — adversative conjunction; “but,” marking contrast with the previous verse.… Learn Koine GreekLegal Dominion and Human Life in Romans 7:1: Rhetorical Question and Juridical Syntax in Pauline Argument
Ἢ ἀγνοεῖτε, ἀδελφοί· γινώσκουσι γὰρ νόμον λαλῶ· ὅτι ὁ νόμος κυριεύει τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐφ’ ὅσον χρόνον ζῇ; (Romans 7:1)
Or do you not know, brothers: I am speaking to those who know the law, that the law rules over a person as long as he lives?
Disjunctive Introduction and Rhetorical Provocation: Ἢ ἀγνοεῖτε, ἀδελφοί; Ἢ: Disjunctive particle—”Or.” Used to introduce a rhetorical question that assumes a negative answer or challenges the audience’s knowledge. Functions as a transition from the previous argument in Romans 6. ἀγνοεῖτε: Present active indicative, 2nd person plural of ἀγνοέω, “do you not know?” Implies the information is assumed to be known, inviting reflection.… Learn Koine GreekCrasis in New Testament Greek
Definition of Crasis
Crasis (Greek: κρᾶσις) is a linguistic phenomenon in Greek where two adjacent words, especially when one ends in a vowel and the next begins with a vowel, combine to form a single word. The term itself means “mixing” or “blending,” which captures the essence of this contraction process. Crasis primarily occurs to simplify pronunciation, creating a smoother flow of speech by avoiding the need to articulate two consecutive vowel sounds. In New Testament Greek, crasis is most commonly seen with the conjunction καὶ (“and”) blending with pronouns, articles, or particles that begin with vowels.
Function and Importance in New Testament GreekThe presence of crasis in New Testament Greek helps to streamline phrases, making them easier to say and, in some cases, more efficient to write.… Learn Koine Greek
Anchoring in Ptolemais: The Movement and Fellowship of Acts 21:7
Ἡμεῖς δὲ τὸν πλοῦν διανύσαντες ἀπὸ Τύρου κατηντήσαμεν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἐμείναμεν ἡμέραν μίαν παρ’ αὐτοῖς (Acts 21:7)
And we, having completed the voyage from Tyre, arrived at Ptolemais; and having greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them.
Acts 21:7 doesn’t dwell on drama or detail, but its Greek quietly communicates movement, completion, and the warmth of Christian fellowship. From the ship’s journey to the greeting of the brothers, the sentence is rhythmically tight—narrating transitions both geographical and relational.
Grammatical FoundationsThe participle διανύσαντες (having completed the voyage) comes from διανύω, a compound verb stressing completion through or across something.… Learn Koine Greek
Arrival Across the Sea: Narrative Precision and Geographical Framing in Mark 5:1
Καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γεργεσηνῶν. (Mark 5:1)
And they came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gergesenes.
The Role of Transition in Mark’s NarrativeMark 5:1 introduces one of the most memorable episodes in the Gospel: the healing of the Gerasene demoniac. The verse is a short transitional sentence: Καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γεργεσηνῶν — “And they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes/Gergesenes.” Although it looks simple, its grammar and vocabulary set the stage for a dramatic confrontation.… Learn Koine Greek
Approved to Speak: Perfect Passives, Purpose Infinitives, and the Grammar of Divine Commission
Ἀλλὰ καθὼς δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, οὕτω λαλοῦμεν, οὐχ ὡς ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκοντες, ἀλλὰ Θεῷ τῷ δοκιμάζοντι τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
When Approval Comes from Above
In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul offers a powerful theological principle: Gospel ministry is not performed to win human favor, but to remain faithful to the God who tests hearts. The Greek grammar provides a compact but potent theological and ethical structure, using perfect passive participles, infinitives of purpose, and contrasting clauses that clarify intent.
Let’s unpack how the language of divine approval and human responsibility is expressed in this verse.
1.… Learn Koine GreekStrength in the Messiah: A Greek Look at Philippians 4:13
Πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ. (Philippians 4:13)
I am able for all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The Power of Sufficiency πάντα ἰσχύω – “I am strong for all things.” The verb ἰσχύω (present active indicative) means “to be strong,” “to have power or ability.” The direct object πάντα (“all things”) is accusative plural neuter, covering every situation Paul has discussed—from hunger to abundance. The emphasis is not on external achievement, but on inner spiritual sufficiency. Means of Empowermentἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ – “in Christ who strengthens me.”
ἐν + dative indicates means or sphere—“by” or “through.”… Learn Koine Greek