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Greek Lessons
- Crossing Over: Aorist Participles, Narrative Flow, and the Motion of Matthew 9:1
- The Grammar of Pleading: Conditional Syntax and Subjunctive Permission in Matthew 8:31
- The Grammar of Silence: Commands, Purpose, and the Messianic Secret
- “What to Us and to You?”: Demonic Recognition and Eschatological Grammar in Matthew 8:29
- Whispers of Identity: From Prophets to Pronouns in Mark 8:28
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Category
Category Archives: Grammar
Seeing No One Else: The Art of Exception Clauses and Partitive Constructions
Ἕτερον δὲ τῶν ἀποστόλων οὐκ εἶδον εἰ μὴ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν τοῦ κυρίου. (Galatians 1:19)
But I saw no other of the apostles, except James, the brother of the Lord.
Paul’s Personal Testimony and Apostolic DistinctionThis brief verse from Paul’s autobiographical defense in Galatians offers more than a factual statement about his travels — it is a masterclass in Greek syntax. Paul carefully crafts a statement to defend his independence from the Twelve, yet acknowledges one crucial exception: James, the brother of the Lord.
The Greek here demonstrates several elegant syntactic features, especially the partitive genitive, exception clauses with εἰ μή, and apposition.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Matthew 19:9
Λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι ὃς ἂν ἀπολύσῃ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ μὴ ἐπὶ πορνείᾳ καὶ γαμήσῃ ἄλλην, μοιχᾶται· καὶ ὁ ἀπολελυμένην γαμήσας μοιχᾶται. (Matthew 19:9)
Focus Topic: Conditional Construction with ἂν and Subjunctive + Present Indicative Result
This verse illustrates a conditional sentence formed with the particle ἂν and a subjunctive verb in the protasis, followed by a present indicative in the apodosis. It also highlights syntactical exceptions and participial usage with theological implications regarding marriage and divorce.
Conditional Clause: ὃς ἂν ἀπολύσῃ…καὶ γαμήσῃThe construction ὃς ἂν + subjunctive forms a general condition or indefinite relative clause (“whoever divorces…”). The particle ἂν marks the protasis as indefinite or potential:
Greek Word Form Function ἀπολύσῃ Aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular “divorces” — part of the condition γαμήσῃ Aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular “marries [another]” — continuation of conditional clauseThese subjunctive verbs are governed by ὃς ἂν and convey potential actions.… Learn Koine Greek
Shipwrecked by Conscience: Greek Grammar in Warnings of Faith
In this passage, Paul weaves together participles, relative pronouns, and metaphors to issue a stern warning about moral integrity and belief: ἔχων πίστιν καὶ ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν, ἥν τινες ἀπωσάμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἐναυάγησαν from 1 Timothy 1:19. The grammar mirrors the danger Paul describes — a subtle drifting that leads to spiritual catastrophe. Let us unpack this verse phrase by phrase.
The Greek Text in Focusἔχων πίστιν καὶ ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν, ἥν τινες ἀπωσάμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἐναυάγησαν (1 Timothy 1:19)
“Having faith and a good conscience, which some, having rejected, have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.”
Grammatical Highlights ἔχων — present active participle, masculine singular; describes the subject as “having” both faith and conscience.… Learn Koine GreekPaul Meets James: Greek Grammar in Apostolic Assembly
In Acts 21:18, Luke describes Paul’s formal visit to James in Jerusalem. The verse — τῇ δὲ ἐπιούσῃ εἰσῄει ὁ Παῦλος σὺν ἡμῖν πρὸς Ἰάκωβον, πάντες τε παρεγένοντο οἱ πρεσβύτεροι — uses temporal participles, motion verbs, and collective subjects to capture a moment of leadership convergence. The grammar here emphasizes not only chronology, but the solemnity and unity of the church leaders in action.
The Greek Text in Focusτῇ δὲ ἐπιούσῃ εἰσῄει ὁ Παῦλος σὺν ἡμῖν πρὸς Ἰάκωβον, πάντες τε παρεγένοντο οἱ πρεσβύτεροι (Acts 21:18)
“And on the next day, Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.”… Learn Koine Greek
Understanding Correlative Pronouns and Adverbs in NT Greek
In New Testament Greek, correlative pronouns and adverbs play a significant role in connecting ideas and providing clarity in descriptions of place, manner, time, and more. These correlatives appear in various categories like demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite, and relative pronouns and adverbs, often forming pairs or groups that help establish relationships in the text.
Here’s a brief overview of these categories in NT Greek:
1. Demonstrative: These pronouns and adverbs point to specific things, people, or concepts (e.g., “this,” “that,” “here”).
2. Interrogative: These ask questions about identity, place, time, manner, and other qualities (e.g., “who?” “where?” “when?”).
3. Indefinite: These refer to non-specific entities (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek
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Mastering Greek Verb Endings in the New Testament
Greek Verb Endings in the New Testament: A Quick Guide
In New Testament Greek, verb endings help us determine the grammatical person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural), as well as the tense (e.g., present, future, aorist) and voice (active, middle, passive). This guide provides a comprehensive overview of verb endings in the main indicative tenses, organized by tense and voice. These tables will help you recognize verb forms in the Greek New Testament.
Present Tense Endings Active Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -ω -ομεν 2nd Person -εις -ετε 3rd Person -ει -ουσι(ν) Middle/Passive Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -ομαι -όμεθα 2nd Person -ῃ / -ει -εσθε 3rd Person -εται -ονταιFuture Tense Endings Active Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -σω -σομεν 2nd Person -σεις -σετε 3rd Person -σει -σουσι(ν) Middle Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -σομαι -σόμεθα 2nd Person -σῃ / -σει -σεσθε 3rd Person -σεται -σονται Passive Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -θησομαι -θησόμεθα 2nd Person -θησῃ / -θησει -θησεσθε 3rd Person -θησεται -θησονται
Imperfect Tense Endings Active Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -ον -ομεν 2nd Person -ες -ετε 3rd Person -ε(ν) -ον Middle/Passive Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -ομην -όμεθα 2nd Person -ου -εσθε 3rd Person -ετο -οντο
Aorist Tense Endings Active Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -α -αμεν 2nd Person -ας -ατε 3rd Person -ε(ν) -αν Middle Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -άμην -άμεθα 2nd Person -ω -ασθε 3rd Person -ατο -αντο Passive Voice Person Singular Plural 1st Person -θην -θημεν 2nd Person -θης -θητε 3rd Person -θη -θησαν
In New Testament Greek, understanding how to identify the different grammatical persons (first, second, and third) and numbers (singular and plural) is key for reading and interpretation.… Learn Koine Greek
The Reflexive That Refutes: ἐφ’ ἑαυτοῖς and the Semantics of Self-Justification
Εἶπε δὲ καὶ πρός τινας τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐφ’ ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι εἰσὶ δίκαιοι, καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιποὺς, τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· (Luke 18:9)
A Pronoun That Reveals a Theological Fault Line
In Luke 18:9, Jesus addresses “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt”. This verse introduces the well-known parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Yet within its framing clause lies a syntactic structure of profound theological significance: the reflexive pronoun ἑαυτοῖς (“themselves”) in the phrase τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐφ’ ἑαυτοῖς.
This is no mere grammatical filler. The reflexive ἑαυτοῖς, paired with the preposition ἐφ’ and the perfect active participle πεποιθότας, functions not only as a syntactic complement but as a linguistic mirror — one that exposes the inner logic of self-justification.… Learn Koine Greek
The Grammar of Trust and Despise: Setting the Stage for a Parable
In this lesson, we explore a rich and subtle moment of New Testament Greek grammar found in Εἶπε δὲ καὶ πρός τινας τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐφ’ ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι εἰσὶ δίκαιοι, καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιποὺς, τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· from Luke 18:9. Though the verse may seem like a simple introduction, it reveals intricate grammatical strategies that prepare the audience for a profound lesson through parable. Let us delve into how Greek syntax and tense choices create expectation and moral tension even before the parable itself is spoken.
The Greek Text in FocusΕἶπε δὲ καὶ πρός τινας τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐφ’ ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι εἰσὶ δίκαιοι, καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιποὺς, τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· (Luke 18:9)
“And he also spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.”… Learn Koine Greek
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“The Participle That Binds Time: ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν and the Temporal Anchoring of Betrayal”
ᾔδει δὲ καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν τὸν τόπον, ὅτι πολλάκις συνήχθη καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκεῖ μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ. (John 18:2)
A Subtle Web of Time and Identity
At first glance, John 18:2 appears to be a straightforward narrative aside — a simple note about Judas’s knowledge of Jesus’ habitual meeting place. Yet embedded within this brief clause lies a profound syntactic structure that binds temporal logic, identity, and theological irony into a single grammatical thread. The participle ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν, functioning as a substantive, is not merely a title for Judas but a dynamic temporal marker that links his present act of betrayal with the repeated past actions of Jesus.… Learn Koine Greek
When Grammar Cuts Deep: Commands and Consequences
Today’s exploration of New Testament Greek grammar centers on a dramatic and powerful teaching found in εἰ δὲ ἡ χείρ σου ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὰ καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ· καλόν σοί ἐστιν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν χωλόν ἢ κυλλὸν, ἢ δύο χεῖρας ἢ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον from Matthew 18:8. This intense imagery is packed with grammatical forms that sharpen the urgency of the message, including conditional sentences, imperatives, and infinitives of purpose and result.
The Greek Text in FocusΕἰ δὲ ἡ χείρ σου ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὰ καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ· καλόν σοί ἐστιν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν χωλόν ἢ κυλλὸν, ἢ δύο χεῖρας ἢ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον.… Learn Koine Greek
