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Greek Lessons
- The Law That Sets Free: A Grammar of Liberation in Romans 8:2
- Moved to Speak: Temporal Setting and Genitive Absolute in Mark 8:1
- The Hour Had Not Yet Come: Divine Timing and Aorist Action in John 7:30
- Because of This Word: Perfect Tense and Power at a Distance
- The Greatest and the Least: Superlative Contrast and Kingdom Inversion in Luke 7:28
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Category
Category Archives: Modern Greek
Surpassing Righteousness: Grammar and Warning in Matthew 5:20
Matthew 5:20
λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: légō gàr ymîn hóti eàn mē perisseúsi̱ i̱ dikaiosýni̱ ymōn pleîon tōn grammatéōn kai Pharisáio̱n, ou mḕ eisélthēte eis tēn basileían tōn ouranōn.
Literal English Translation: For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of the heavens.
Koine Greek Grammar Analysis λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν – “For I say to you”; – λέγω: present active indicative 1st singular; – γὰρ: explanatory particle, “for”; – ὑμῖν: dative plural pronoun, “to you.”… Learn Koine GreekThe Word Was with God: A Grammatical Journey from John 1:1
Unfolding the Verse
John 1:1 : Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.
Transliteration (Modern Greek pronunciation): En archí ín o Lógos, ke o Lógos ín pros ton Theón, ke Theós ín o Lógos.
Literal English Translation: In beginning was the Word, and the Word was toward the God, and God was the Word.
Koine Blueprint: Morphological Breakdown Ἐν – Form: preposition; Root: ἐν; Gloss: in; Parsing: governs dative; Notes: Spatial/temporal marker, here temporal. ἀρχῇ – Form: noun, dative singular feminine; Root: ἀρχή; Gloss: beginning; Parsing: 1st declension; Notes: Object of ἐν.… Learn Koine GreekComparing Modern Greek and Koine Greek
Modern Greek and Koine Greek, though genetically related, differ in numerous linguistic and historical respects. Koine Greek, the dialect of the Greek New Testament, emerged in the Hellenistic period as a common dialect (κοινή διάλεκτος) that unified various Greek dialects following the conquests of Alexander the Great. Modern Greek, on the other hand, is the result of centuries of linguistic evolution and simplification. This article offers a detailed comparison of the two, highlighting their distinctions in pronunciation, grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and usage.
1. Historical ContextKoine Greek was spoken from approximately 300 BC to 300 AD. It served as the lingua franca of the eastern Mediterranean and was the dialect in which the Septuagint (LXX), the New Testament, and the writings of the early Church Fathers were composed.… Learn Koine Greek
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Faith in Action: Grammar Illuminated in Philemon 6
Philemon 6
ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστόν Ἰησοῦν.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: hópōs i koinōnía ti̱s písteōs sou energí̱s génētai en epignṓsei pantòs agathoû tou en hēmîn eis Christón Iēsoûn.
Literal English Translation: So that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in us toward Christ Jesus.
Koine Greek Grammar Breakdown ὅπως – subordinating conjunction, “so that,” introducing a purpose clause. ἡ κοινωνία – nominative singular noun, “fellowship, participation.” τῆς πίστεώς σου – genitive singular noun + pronoun, “of your faith.”… Learn Koine GreekKeeping the Words: A Grammar Window into Revelation 22:7
Revelation 22:7
καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔρχομαι ταχύ. μακάριος ὁ τηρῶν τοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: kai idou érchomai tachý. makários o ti̱rṓn tous lógous ti̱s profi̱teías tou vivlíou toútou.
Literal English Translation: And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
Koine Greek Structure Explained καὶ ἰδοὺ – Coordinating conjunction + interjection: “And behold!” (ἰδοὺ from ἰδέ, used for dramatic focus). ἔρχομαι – Present middle/passive indicative 1st singular from ἔρχομαι, “I am coming.” Expresses a near-future action with present vividness. ταχύ – adverb, “quickly, soon.” μακάριος – nominative masculine singular adjective, “blessed, happy.”… Learn Koine GreekHonor Under the Yoke: Grammar Across the Ages in 1 Timothy 6:1
Ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι, τοὺς ἰδίους δεσπότας πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους ἡγείσθωσαν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἡ διδασκαλία βλασφημῆται.
(1 Timothy 6:1)
Modern Greek Pronunciation: Ósi ísin ypó zygó̱n doúli, tous idíous despótas pásis timí̱s axíous igí̱stho̱san, ína mi to ónoma tou Theoú kai i didaskalía vlassfi̱mí̱tai.
Literal English Translation: As many as are slaves under a yoke, let them regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.
Koine Greek Structure Ὅσοι – nominative plural relative pronoun, “as many as,” subject of main verb.… Learn Koine GreekHigher than Self: Grammar and Humility in Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3
μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: mi̱thén katà eritheían ē kenodoxían, allà ti̱ tapeinophrosýni̱ allḗlous ēgoúmenoi yperéchontas heautōn.
Literal English Translation: Doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but in humility regarding one another as more important than yourselves.
Koine Grammar Breakdown μηδὲν – accusative neuter singular, functioning adverbially: “nothing.” κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν – “according to selfish ambition or vain glory”; – ἐριθείαν = strife, rivalry; – κενοδοξίαν = empty pride, vanity. ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ – “but in humility”; dative of means or manner. ἀλλήλους – accusative masculine plural, reciprocal pronoun: “one another.”… Learn Koine GreekGrowing Stronger: A Grammar Exploration in Acts 9:22
Acts 9:22
Σαῦλος δὲ μᾶλλον ἐνεδυναμοῦτο καὶ συνέχυνε τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Δαμασκῷ, συμβιβάζων ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: Sávlōs de mállon enedynamoúto kai synéchyne tous Ioudaíous tous katoikoúntas en Damaskó̱, symvivázōn óti oútos estin o Christós.
Literal English Translation: But Saul was increasingly strengthened and was confounding the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this one is the Christ.
Koine Greek Structural Walkthrough Σαῦλος δὲ – “But Saul”; δὲ marks contrast or continuation in narrative. μᾶλλον – adverb, “even more, increasingly.” ἐνεδυναμοῦτο – imperfect passive indicative 3rd singular from ἐνδυναμόω, “was being strengthened, grew stronger.” καὶ συνέχυνε – imperfect active indicative 3rd singular from συγχύνω, “was confusing, confounding.”… Learn Koine GreekMade Alive Together: Grammar and Grace in Colossians 2:13
Colossians 2:13
Καὶ ὑμᾶς, νεκροὺς ὄντας ἐν τοῖς παραπτώμασι καὶ τῇ ἀκροβυστίᾳ τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν, συνεζωοποίησεν ὑμᾶς σὺν αὐτῷ, χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν πάντα τὰ παραπτώματα,
Modern Greek Pronunciation: kai ymâs, nekroùs óntas en toîs paraptṓmasi kai ti̱ akrobystía ti̱s sarkòs ymōn, synezōopoíi̱sen ymâs syn autó̱, charisámenos hi̱mîn pánta ta paraptṓmata.
Literal English Translation: And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, having graciously forgiven us all the trespasses.
Koine Grammar Breakdown Καὶ ὑμᾶς – accusative plural pronoun, “And you,” object of the main verb. νεκροὺς ὄντας – accusative plural participial phrase, “being dead”: – νεκροὺς: accusative plural adjective, “dead”; – ὄντας: present participle of εἰμί, “being.”… Learn Koine GreekTracing Grammatical Evolution from Koine to Modern Greek in Luke 16:1
Among the more linguistically layered passages in the New Testament, Luke 16:1 provides an excellent point of comparison for the grammatical and lexical trajectories that have shaped the Greek language over time. The verse introduces the Parable of the Unjust Steward and, in doing so, encapsulates several hallmark features of Koine syntax—particularly participial construction, aspectual nuance, and case usage. When placed beside its Modern Greek rendering, this single verse quietly narrates centuries of linguistic refinement.
Koine Greek: Ἔλεγε δὲ καὶ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητάς αὐτοῦ· Ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν πλούσιος, ὃς εἶχεν οἰκονόμον, καὶ οὗτος διεβλήθη αὐτῷ ὡς διασκορπίζων τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ.
Modern Greek: Και είπε και προς τους μαθητές του: Κάποιος άνθρωπος ήταν πλούσιος και είχε έναν διαχειριστή, και αυτός κατηγορήθηκε μπροστά του ότι σπαταλούσε την περιουσία του.… Learn Koine Greek
