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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
The Antichrist’s Arrival: A Grammar of Deception in 2 Thessalonians 2:9
Οὗ ἐστιν ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει καὶ σημείοις καὶ τέρασι ψεύδους
Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood.
In this verse — 2 Thessalonians 2:9 — we encounter a grammatically dense and theologically charged description of the coming of the man of lawlessness, often identified as the Antichrist. Paul’s language is not merely prophetic; it is carefully constructed to convey the spiritual origin, power source, and deceptive nature of this eschatological figure. Our focus will be on the structure of the phrase “ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ”, exploring how prepositional usage, word order, and semantic nuance coalesce to form a vivid theological portrait of counterfeit authority and satanic empowerment.… Learn Koine Greek
Render What Is Due: Civic Duty in Romans 13:7
Ἀπόδοτε πᾶσι τὰς ὀφειλάς, τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον, τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος, τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον, τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν (Romans 13:7)
Render to all what is owed: to whom tax, tax; to whom toll, toll; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor.
Romans 13:7 continues Paul’s exhortation on submission to governing authorities. The Greek is rhythmic, almost liturgical, repeating both syntax and vocabulary for emphasis. Paul names specific civic and relational obligations, structuring the verse around a pattern of repetition that reflects order and accountability.
Grammatical FoundationsThe imperative ἀπόδοτε is aorist active, 2nd person plural, from ἀποδίδωμι, meaning “render,” “give back,” or “pay what is owed.”… Learn Koine Greek
Why Do You Speak to Them in Parables? A Question of Revelation in Matthew 13:10
Καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· διὰ τί ἐν παραβολαῖς λαλεῖς αὐτοῖς; (Matthew 13:10)
And the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Matthew 13:10 introduces a pivotal dialogue between Jesus and his disciples that opens up one of the richest theological discussions in the Gospels—why Jesus teaches in parables. The Greek grammar is straightforward but loaded with implication, setting the stage for a distinction between spiritual insiders and outsiders.
Grammatical FoundationsΚαὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ—“And the disciples came and said to him.”
προσελθόντες—aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural from προσέρχομαι, “having approached” or “having come near.”… Learn Koine Greek“I Am”: Deception, Identity, and the Future Tense in Mark’s Eschatology
Πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου λέγοντες ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι, καὶ πολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν. (Mark 13:6)
For many will come in my name, saying, “I am,” and they will lead many astray.
A Prophetic Warning Framed in VerbsIn Mark 13:6, Jesus issues a solemn warning during His eschatological discourse on the Mount of Olives. While the surface message is clear — deception is coming — the Greek grammar beneath His words gives it weight and precision. The interplay of future tense, participles, and prepositional constructions intensifies the danger and divine foresight of this prophecy. Let us walk through this verse word by word, guided by its grammatical force.… Learn Koine Greek
Adorning the Doctrine: Faithfulness and Beauty in Titus 2:10
Μὴ νοσφιζομένους, ἀλλὰ πίστιν πᾶσαν ἐνδεικνυμένους ἀγαθήν, ἵνα τὴν διδασκαλίαν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν (Titus 2:10)
Not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the teaching of our God and Savior in all things.
μὴ νοσφιζομένους: A Prohibition of TheftThe participle νοσφιζομένους is the present middle/passive participle, accusative masculine plural, from νοσφίζω, meaning “to pilfer,” “to embezzle,” or “to withhold.” It is used here with the negative particle μὴ, forming a prohibition: “not stealing” or “not holding back.”
This participle likely refers to bondservants or workers, continuing Paul’s ethical instruction. It stresses integrity in handling what belongs to others.… Learn Koine Greek
Stability through Grace: Passive Verbs and Dative Anchors in Hebrews 13:9
In διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις μὴ παραφέρεσθε· καλὸν γὰρ χάριτι βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν, οὐ βρώμασιν, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ὠφελήθησαν οἱ περιπατήσαντες (Hebrews 13:9), the author of Hebrews exhorts believers to remain anchored in grace rather than swept away by foreign teachings. The sentence is grammatically intricate, but its centerpiece is the passive infinitive βεβαιοῦσθαι — “to be strengthened” — and its agent, not fleshly food (βρώμασιν), but grace (χάριτι). This construction — passive stability through a dative of means — is rare and elegant. The grammar doesn’t just describe the doctrine; it performs it.
Morphological Breakdown διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις – Root: διδαχή, ποικίλος, ξένος Form: dative feminine plural noun + two adjectives Lexical Meaning: “by various and foreign teachings” Contextual Notes: Dative of means or cause.… Learn Koine GreekAlready Come: Fulfilled Prophecy in Mark 9:13
Ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι καὶ Ἠλίας ἐλήλυθε, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ὅσα ἠθέλησαν, καθὼς γέγραπται ἐπ’ αὐτόν (Mark 9:13)
But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.
ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν: A Prophetic ContrastThe phrase ἀλλὰ λέγω ὑμῖν (“but I say to you”) is a formula used frequently by Jesus to introduce authoritative teaching that corrects or deepens prior understanding.
– ἀλλὰ introduces a strong contrast. – λέγω is present active indicative — “I am saying.” – ὑμῖν is dative plural — “to you.”
This line prepares the hearers for a startling revelation, clarifying their misconceptions about the coming of Elijah.… Learn Koine Greek
Greek Grammar Lesson from Revelation 8:13
Καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἤκουσα ἑνὸς ἀετοῦ πετομένου ἐν μεσουρανήματι, λέγοντος φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκ τῶν λοιπῶν φωνῶν τῆς σάλπιγγος τῶν τριῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν μελλόντων σαλπίζειν. (Revelation 8:13)
And I saw and heard one eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.”
Genitive Absolute and Participles of Imminence and MotionThis apocalyptic verse features a vivid sensory narrative constructed with multiple participles, a genitive absolute, and dramatic word repetition.… Learn Koine Greek
When He Came Down from the Mountain: Narrative Transition and Verb Nuances in Matthew 8:1
Καταβάντι δὲ αὐτῷ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί. (Matthew 8:1)
And when he came down from the mountain, many crowds followed him.
A Shift in the Gospel NarrativeMatthew 8:1 is a hinge verse. After the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7), where Jesus teaches with unparalleled authority, Matthew records: “When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.” This simple sentence is more than a narrative marker. It is a transition from Jesus’ teaching ministry to his miracles. The Greek construction combines a participle of attendant circumstance, a narrative aorist verb, and a plural subject that sets the scene for the chapters that follow.… Learn Koine Greek
What I Do Now, You Will Understand Later: Mystery and Timing in John 13:7
Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ, σὺ οὐκ οἶδας ἄρτι, γνώσῃ δὲ μετὰ ταῦτα (John 13:7)
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand after these things.”
ἀπεκρίθη… εἶπεν: A Formal ResponseThe verbs ἀπεκρίθη and εἶπεν are both used here, forming a typical Johannine speech introduction.
– ἀπεκρίθη is the aorist passive (deponent) indicative of ἀποκρίνομαι, meaning “he answered.” – εἶπεν is the aorist active indicative of λέγω, meaning “he said.”
The pairing emphasizes a deliberate and thoughtful reply. Jesus’ words here follow Peter’s confused objection to the footwashing, and the double verb construction adds weight to Jesus’ explanation.… Learn Koine Greek
