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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
Category Archives: Grammar
Near with Lips, Far in Heart: Hypocrisy Exposed in Matthew 15:8 (citing Isaiah 29:13 LXX)
ἐγγίζει μοι λαὸς οὗτος τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν καὶ τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ
Matthew 15:8 presents Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah 29:13 in the Septuagint. The Greek is sharp, poetic, and cutting. It reveals the tension between outward appearance and inner reality, and the structure intensifies the contrast. This verse is not a gentle observation—it’s a prophetic rebuke, wrapped in precise parallelism and dissonance between mouth and heart.
Grammatical FoundationsThe opening clause ἐγγίζει μοι λαὸς οὗτος means “This people draws near to me.” The verb ἐγγίζει is present active indicative, 3rd person singular, from ἐγγίζω—to approach or come near.… Learn Koine Greek
The Golden Bowls and the Weight of Wrath: A Study in Relative Clause Complexity in Revelation 15:7
καὶ ἓν ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων ἔδωκε τοῖς ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις ἑπτὰ φιάλας χρυσᾶς, γεμούσας τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.
In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, language becomes a vehicle for divine mystery—layered, symbolic, and often grammatically complex. In Revelation 15:7, we encounter a vivid image of cosmic judgment:
καὶ ἓν ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων ἔδωκε τοῖς ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις ἑπτὰ φιάλας χρυσᾶς, γεμούσας τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.
“And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of the living God who lives forever and ever.”… Learn Koine Greek
A Veil Over the Heart: Ongoing Blindness in 2 Corinthians 3:15
ἀλλ’ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἂν ἀναγινώσκεται Μωϋσῆς, κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται
In 2 Corinthians 3:15, Paul continues his powerful contrast between the old and new covenants. The verse evokes a somber image: even today, a veil remains whenever Moses is read. The Greek emphasizes the persistent nature of spiritual blindness and the internal location of the problem—the heart, not just the eyes. The structure is both conditional and durative, showing this is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality.
Grammatical FoundationsThe conjunction ἀλλ’ (but) continues a contrast from the previous verses, introducing an exception or qualification. The phrase ἕως σήμερον (“until today”) points to present, continuous time—it’s not just historical, but present reality.… Learn Koine Greek
When Commandments Collide: Conditional Clauses, Subjunctives, and Irony in Legal Justification
ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· ὃς ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί, δῶρον ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς, καὶ οὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ· (Matthew 15:5–6a)
The Traditions That Undermine the Law
In this striking rebuke, Jesus exposes the religious leaders’ distortion of divine commandments through their man-made traditions. The Greek syntax mirrors this distortion with sharp contrast and layered conditional grammar. Through conditional clauses, subjunctive verbs, and a future denial, Jesus reveals how tradition can be used to nullify the clear command to honor one’s parents.
Let us explore how the grammar communicates this theological irony.… Learn Koine Greek
Council and Consensus: Grammatical Coordination and Ecclesial Deliberation in Acts 15:6
Gathered to Decide: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 15:6
Acts 15:6 — Συνήχθησαν δὲ οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἰδεῖν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου. (“And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.”)
This verse introduces the deliberative moment of the so-called Jerusalem Council, where the early church convenes to address the question of Gentile inclusion and the necessity of circumcision. The narrative of Acts 15 is central to Luke’s portrayal of ecclesial unity, apostolic authority, and Spirit-guided decision-making. Acts 15:6 captures the solemnity and collaborative nature of the gathering through its grammatical structure, particularly the compound subject, the aorist passive verb συνήχθησαν, and the purpose infinitive ἰδεῖν.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Mark 3:5
Mark 3:5
καὶ περιβλεψάμενος αὐτοὺς μετ’ ὀργῆς, συλλυπούμενος ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ· Ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου. καὶ ἐξέτεινε, καὶ ἀποκατεστάθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ὑγιὴς ὡς ἡ ἄλλη.
Focus Topic: Participle Chains and Imperative/Indicative TransitionsThis verse offers a rich display of Greek participial chaining, emotional expression through datives and prepositions, and a vivid imperative followed by sequential narrative aorists. The syntax captures both Jesus’ emotional state and the dramatic restoration of the man’s hand.
Attendant Participles: περιβλεψάμενος & συλλυπούμενοςBoth verbs are participles modifying the implied subject (Jesus), providing background to the main action λέγει (“he says”):
Participle Form Meaning Function περιβλεψάμενος Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular “having looked around at them” Temporal/background action συλλυπούμενος Present middle participle, nominative masculine singular “being deeply grieved” Contemporaneous emotional state Prepositional Emotions: μετ’ ὀργῆς & ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει μετ’ ὀργῆς — “with anger”: expresses the emotional context of Jesus’ glance.… Learn Koine GreekSubmission, Humility, and Divine Favor in 1 Peter 5:5: Participial Structure and Ethical Reciprocity in Koine Greek
Ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις, πάντες δὲ ἀλλήλοις ὑποτασσόμενοι τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε· ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσι χάριν.
Imperative Address to the Young: Ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις
– Ὁμοίως: Adverb meaning “likewise” or “in the same way.” – Indicates continuity with previous exhortations to elders (1 Peter 5:1–4). – νεώτεροι: Nominative plural masculine adjective used substantivally—”you who are younger.” – Addresses younger men or younger members of the church. – ὑποτάγητε: Aorist passive imperative, 2nd person plural of ὑποτάσσω, “to submit” or “to subject oneself.” – The passive voice has a reflexive nuance here—”be subject.” – πρεσβυτέροις: Dative plural masculine of πρεσβύτερος, “elders.”… Learn Koine Greek
Written for Our Instruction: Purpose Clauses and the Function of Scripture in Romans 15:4
Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. (Romans 15:4)
For whatever was written beforehand was written for our instruction, so that through the endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Paul compresses theology and pastoral encouragement into tightly ordered syntax. By repeating the same verb, employing a purpose clause, and highlighting key virtues, this verse outlines how the Scriptures serve as a wellspring of endurance, encouragement, and hope.
Relative Clause with Emphasis: ὅσα… προεγράφηThe verse begins with the neuter plural relative pronoun ὅσα (“whatever things”), casting a wide net over the whole body of Scripture.… Learn Koine Greek
Fellowship in Giving: Context of Philippians 4:15
Philippians 4:15 stands as a testament to the unique bond between the Apostle Paul and the church at Philippi. In this verse, Paul recalls how the Philippians were the only community to support him financially when he first set out from their region. Rather than a mere thank-you note, the passage serves as a profound reflection on partnership in the gospel0. Paul’s language is warm and theologically rich, illustrating that their monetary gift was not just charity but an expression of κοινωνία – fellowship and mutual participation in ministry. The very grammar of the sentence reinforces the Philippians’ singular devotion and Paul’s gratitude.… Learn Koine Greek
“ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει”: Compound Present Indicatives of Growth in John 4:1
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.
A Ministry in MotionAt the center of the Pharisees’ concern in John 4:1 is the report that: Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει — “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples.”
The Greek here uses two coordinated present active indicative verbs to convey ongoing ministry activity. This compound structure emphasizes both personal transformation (discipling) and ritual action (baptizing)—both of which fuel Yeshuʿ’s increasing influence.… Learn Koine Greek
