-
Greek Lessons
-
Category
Category Archives: Theology
The Mark That Restricts: Economic Control in Revelation 13:17
Καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ. (Revelation 13:17)
And so that no one is able to buy or sell except the one who has the mark: the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Revelation 13:17 describes an oppressive system in which participation in the economy is limited to those who bear the mark of the beast. The Greek syntax reinforces the exclusivity and coercion built into this apocalyptic scenario. It is precise, juridical, and chilling in tone, establishing boundaries on action and identity.… Learn Koine Greek
The Grammar of Faith: Substance and Conviction in Hebrews 11:1
Ἔστι δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις, πραγμάτων ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων. (Hebrews 11:1)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.
Defining the IndefinableHebrews 11:1 is among the most quoted verses in the New Testament, often called the “definition” of faith. The Greek reads: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The verse employs a copula construction (ἔστι), nominative predicates (ὑπόστασις, ἔλεγχος), and genitive modifiers (ἐλπιζομένων, πραγμάτων) to frame faith in both ontological and epistemological terms. The grammar itself presses readers beyond abstract definition to experiential reality.… Learn Koine Greek
Doctrinal Divide: Resurrection and Angels in Acts 23:8
Σαδδουκαῖοι μὲν γὰρ λέγουσι μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα, Φαρισαῖοι δὲ ὁμολογοῦσι τὰ ἀμφότερα. (Acts 23:8)
Acts 23:8 provides a succinct summary of the theological differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees—one of the most significant internal divisions within first-century Judaism. Paul, aware of this division, strategically references the resurrection in verse 6 to cause division among his accusers. The Greek text here is compact and balanced, using a μὲν…δὲ construction to contrast belief systems.
Grammatical FoundationsΣαδδουκαῖοι μὲν γὰρ λέγουσι μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα—“For the Sadducees say there is neither a resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit.”… Learn Koine Greek
The Refreshment of Love: Perfect Tense and Persuasion in Philemon 7
Χάριν γὰρ ἔχομεν πολλὴν καὶ παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ σου, ὅτι τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ, ἀδελφέ. (Philemon 7)
For we have much grace and encouragement because of your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
The Context of the LetterIn Philemon 7, Paul expresses gratitude for the love of Philemon, acknowledging how his actions have refreshed the hearts of the saints. The Greek is carefully crafted: χάριν γὰρ ἔχομεν πολλὴν καὶ παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ σου, ὅτι τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ, ἀδελφέ. This single sentence combines thanksgiving, encouragement, and theological depth.… Learn Koine Greek
Say but Do Not Do: Grammatical Structure and Ethical Critique in Matthew 23:3
Πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν τηρεῖν, τηρεῖτε καὶ ποιεῖτε, κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε· λέγουσι γὰρ, καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσι. (Matthew 23:3)
Therefore, all that they tell you to observe, observe and do; but do not do according to their works, for they say and do not do.
Instruction and Inconsistency: Literary and Theological Context of Matthew 23:3This verse introduces Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23, a chapter often labeled the “Seven Woes.” It encapsulates Jesus’ critique of religious hypocrisy: verbal instruction without practical obedience. The syntax of Matthew 23:3 juxtaposes imperative obedience to authoritative teaching with prohibition against imitating hypocritical behavior.… Learn Koine Greek
She Happened Upon It: Lexical Irony and the Grammar of Divine Providence
Καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ συνέλεξεν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ κατόπισθεν τῶν θεριζόντων καὶ περιέπεσεν περιπτώματι τῇ μερίδι τοῦ ἀγροῦ Βοος τοῦ ἐκ συγγενείας Αβιμελεχ (Ruth 2:3 LXX)
A Grammatical “Coincidence”
Ruth 2:3 in the Septuagint masterfully describes what appears to be a chance event — Ruth ending up in Boaz’s field — with language that grammatically suggests randomness but theologically signals providence. The key lies in the lexical choice of περιέπεσεν περιπτώματι and the carefully structured dative expressions that frame divine orchestration through ordinary grammar.
Καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ συνέλεξεν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ — Routine Action, Routinized Syntax Two Aorist Indicatives: ἐπορεύθη: aorist passive (deponent) indicative, 3rd person singular of πορεύομαι — “she went” συνέλεξεν: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular of συλλέγω — “she gathered”The combination is mundane: Ruth went and gathered — simple actions of gleaning.… Learn Koine Greek
What Is Man? Interrogatives and Subjunctives in Hebrews 2:6
διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων· τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος ὅτι μιμνήσκῃ αὐτοῦ, ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν; (Hebrews 2:6)
The Echo of Wonder in Precise Greek Form
In Hebrews 2:6, the author introduces a citation that carries both literary reverence and theological astonishment. The syntax is shaped by two rhetorical questions—quoted from Psalm 8—that explore the mystery of God’s mindfulness toward humanity. But this verse is not merely poetic; it is constructed with linguistic precision that frames divine condescension in Koine Greek elegance.
This article explores:
The impersonal introduction διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων The use of interrogative particles τί and conjunction ὅτι in embedded questions The significance of the subjunctive verbs μιμνήσκῃ and ἐπισκέπτῃ διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων – A Formal but Vague CitationThe phrase διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων introduces the quotation.… Learn Koine Greek
Seeing but Not Hearing: Grammatical Discrepancy and Narrative Tension in Acts 22:9
Οἱ δὲ σὺν ἐμοὶ ὄντες τὸ μὲν φῶς ἐθεάσαντο καὶ ἔμφοβοι ἐγένοντο, τὴν δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν τοῦ λαλοῦντός μοι. (Acts 22:9)
Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me.
Witnesses to Glory: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 22:9In Acts 22:9, Paul recounts his Damascus road experience before a hostile crowd in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the partial perception of those accompanying him—they saw the light, were terrified, but did not hear the voice. The grammar creates both narrative tension and theological significance, particularly in comparison with Acts 9:7, which presents the same event with different emphasis.… Learn Koine Greek
Not from Ourselves: Sufficiency, Reflexives, and Aorist Infinitives in Paul’s Theology of Ministry
Οὐχ ὅτι ἱκανοί ἐσμεν ἀφ’ ἑαυτῶν λογίσασθαί τι ὡς ἐξ ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλ’ ἡ ἱκανότης ἡμῶν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ, (2 Corinthians 3:5)
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to consider anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
Where Does Competence Come From?In this reflective and theologically rich verse, Paul addresses the very heart of ministry: the source of one’s adequacy. Using reflexive pronouns, a powerful aorist infinitive, and a bold contrast marked by ἀλλά, Paul distances himself and his coworkers from self-sufficiency and attributes all sufficiency to God.
Let us unpack this verse grammatically and spiritually to see how Paul builds his case not just with logic, but with syntax that humbles the minister and glorifies God.… Learn Koine Greek
Declensions Guarding Against Deception: Morphology in Colossians 2:8
Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν· (Colossians 2:8)
Paul warns the Colossians with a vivid grammatical construction: a present imperative “watch out” followed by a complex chain of noun phrases, each in a declension form that reveals the anatomy of the threat. The verse is not merely a doctrinal caution; its very morphology shapes its urgency.
Declension Analysis Table Form Morphology Syntactic Role Notes τις Indefinite pronoun, nominative masculine singular Subject of ἔσται General, undefined agent—anyone who might ensnare. ὑμᾶς 2nd person pronoun, accusative plural Object of συλαγωγῶν The intended victims of the deceptive capture.… Learn Koine Greek