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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
Seeking the Fruit, Not the Gift: Paul’s Heart for the Philippians in Philippians 4:17
Οὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα, ἀλλ’ ἐπιζητῶ τὸν καρπὸν τὸν πλεονάζοντα εἰς λόγον ὑμῶν. (Philippians 4:17)
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit increasing to your account.
Philippians 4:17 expresses Paul’s pastoral sincerity in his relationship with the Philippians. While they supported him financially, Paul emphasizes that he values not the material gift itself but the spiritual benefit that accrues to them through their generosity. The Greek grammar reinforces this profound relational and theological point.
Grammatical Foundationsοὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα—”Not that I seek the gift.”
οὐχ (a form of οὐ) negates the following clause. ὅτι introduces indirect speech or explanation.… Learn Koine GreekMy House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer: Righteous Indignation in Mark 11:17
Καὶ ἐδίδασκε λέγων αὐτοῖς· οὐ γέγραπται ὅτι ὁ οἶκός μου οἶκος προσευχῆς κληθήσεται πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν; ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐτὸν ἐποιήσατε σπήλαιον λῃστῶν. (Mark 11:17)
And he was teaching, saying to them: “Is it not written that my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
Mark 11:17 records Jesus’ authoritative teaching during his cleansing of the temple. Quoting Scripture, he declares the true purpose of the temple and exposes the corruption that had distorted it. The Greek construction carries urgency, rebuke, and a call back to God’s design for worship.… Learn Koine Greek
The Aorist That Passes Away: Transience and Permanence in 1 John 2:17
Καὶ ὁ κόσμος παράγεται καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. (1 John 2:17)
And the world is passing away, and its desire: but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
In 1 John 2:17, John presents a profound contrast between what is fading and what endures. The grammatical tension hinges on two verbs: παράγεται (is passing away) and μένει (remains). One is passive and transient; the other is active and eternal. Greek grammar doesn’t just state the theological point — it performs it. The world is in the passive voice, swept along by time.… Learn Koine Greek
Doing Good While We Have Time: A Call to Active Love in Galatians 6:10
Ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν, ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας, μάλιστα δὲ πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως. (Galatians 6:10)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us work the good toward all, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:10 gives a warm and urgent exhortation to proactive love and goodness. The Greek structure ties opportunity, action, and spiritual family together into a seamless vision of Christian living that is timely, practical, and deeply communal.
Grammatical Foundationsἄρα οὖν—“Therefore then.” This double particle (ἄρα and οὖν) strengthens the inference: a strong conclusion based on preceding truths about sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–9).… Learn Koine Greek
Descending with a Command: Temporal Clauses and Imperatives in Matthew 17:9
Καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· μηδενὶ εἴπητε τὸ ὅραμα ἕως οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ. (Matthew 17:9)
This verse follows the Transfiguration narrative and captures a moment of transition—physically from the mountaintop to the valley, and theologically from revelation to restraint. Its Greek syntax blends narrative action, direct discourse, and temporal limitation, creating a tense-filled scene.
Temporal Setting: καταβαινόντων αὐτῶνThe genitive plural present participle καταβαινόντων (“as they were coming down”) with the genitive pronoun αὐτῶν forms a genitive absolute. This construction sets the background circumstance independent of the main verb: the command takes place while the descent is in progress.… Learn Koine Greek
Fire and Justice: A Greek Look at 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Ἐν πυρὶ φλογός, διδόντος ἐκδίκησιν τοῖς μὴ εἰδόσι Θεὸν καὶ τοῖς μὴ ὑπακούουσι τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, (2 Thessalonians 1:8)
In flaming fire, giving vengeance to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Image of Flaming Judgmentἐν πυρὶ φλογός – “in flaming fire.”
ἐν + dative denotes manner or accompaniment: the judgment comes “in the midst of” or “by means of” fire. πυρὶ – “fire,” dative singular of πῦρ. φλογός – genitive singular of φλόξ, meaning “flame.” The genitive is descriptive (“fire of flame”), intensifying the vividness of the scene.… Learn Koine GreekAddress Formula and Theological Identity in Romans 1:7: A Study in Vocative Syntax and Apostolic Greeting
Πᾶσι τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Ρώμῃ ἀγαπητοῖς Θεοῦ, κλητοῖς ἁγίοις· χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. (Romans 1:7)
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
IntroductionRomans 1:7 contains Paul’s formal salutation, a stylistically complex and theologically loaded address. The grammar includes a dative of reference, substantival participles, appositional constructions, and a rich Greco-Jewish greeting formula. The structure of this verse reveals Paul’s careful craftsmanship in identifying his audience and grounding their identity in both divine election and covenantal love.… Learn Koine Greek
When Fear Falls First: The Narrative Sequence of Aorist Verbs
In καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα (Matthew 17:6), we witness a cascade of emotional and physical reaction from the disciples as they behold the heavenly vision at the transfiguration. The grammar follows suit — swift, compact, and vivid — centered on the use of aorist forms and an initial aorist participle that sets the stage. The verse is a tapestry of three reactions: they hear, they fall, they fear. The Greek language arranges these with both syntactic logic and narrative drama, compressing time and deepening intensity.
Morphological Breakdown καὶ {ke, (Erasmian: kaí)} – Root: καί Form: coordinating conjunction Lexical Meaning: “and” Contextual Notes: Connects a chain of actions.… Learn Koine GreekUnceasing Prayer: A Command for Constant Communion in 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Pray without ceasing.
In just two words, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 encapsulates a powerful call to a life immersed in prayer. The Greek construction is short but loaded with theological and spiritual depth. It emphasizes not only the frequency of prayer but its continual rhythm as an ongoing state of relationship with God.
Grammatical Foundationsἀδιαλείπτως is an adverb meaning “unceasingly,” “without interruption,” or “constantly.” It modifies the manner of the verb that follows. The word is used in Greek literature to describe something occurring at regular intervals or without pause, such as a persistent cough or continuous activity.… Learn Koine Greek
A Charge to Archippus: Faithfulness in Ministry in Colossians 4:17
Καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ· βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν κυρίῳ, ἵνα αὐτὴν πληροῖς (Colossians 4:17)
And say to Archippus: Watch over the ministry which you received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it.
Colossians 4:17 delivers a solemn and direct exhortation to Archippus, likely a leader in the local church. The Greek structure is personal and urgent, combining careful attention with a call to complete what God entrusted. It reflects the seriousness of Christian ministry and communal encouragement.
Grammatical Foundationsκαὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ—“And say to Archippus.”
εἴπατε—aorist active imperative, 2nd person plural from λέγω, “say.” The plural form suggests the whole congregation is to be involved in the exhortation.… Learn Koine Greek