-
Greek Lessons
-
Category
Category Archives: Theology
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 GreekChildren in the Marketplace: Greek Grammar and Rhetorical Analogy in Matthew 11:16
Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶ παιδίοις καθημένοις ἐν ἀγοραῖς ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑτέροις αὐτῶν λέγουσιν· (Matthew 11:16)
But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to their companions and say,
Introduction: Jesus’ Use of Parabolic ImageryIn Matthew 11:16, Jesus introduces a vivid analogy to describe “this generation.” The verse reads: “Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶ παιδίοις καθημένοις ἐν ἀγοραῖς ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑτέροις αὐτῶν λέγουσιν.” The question-and-answer form is striking: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to their companions.”… Learn Koine Greek
My 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
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
Declensions Framing Apocalyptic Paradox: Morphology in Revelation 17:8
Τὸ θηρίον ὃ εἶδες, ἦν καὶ οὐκ ἔστι, καὶ μέλλει ἀναβαίνειν ἐκ τῆς ἀβύσσου καὶ εἰς ἀπώλειαν ὑπάγειν· καὶ θαυμάσονται οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὧν οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα ἐπὶ τὸ βιβλίον τῆς ζωῆς ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, βλεπόντων τὸ θηρίον ὅτι ἦν, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι καὶ παρέσται. (Revelation 17:8)
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to ascend from the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present.… Learn Koine Greek
Address 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 the Right Hand Causes to Stumble: Hyperbole, Grammar, and Discipleship in Matthew 5:30
Καὶ εἰ ἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὴν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ· συμφέρει γάρ σοι ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου βληθῇ εἰς γέενναν. (Matthew 5:30)
And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish than that your whole body be cast into Gehenna.
The Radical Language of DiscipleshipMatthew 5:30 belongs to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus intensifies the law’s demands by addressing the heart as much as the hand.… Learn Koine Greek
The Portrait of a Worthy Widow: Grammar and Ethics in 1 Timothy 5:10
Ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς μαρτυρουμένη, εἰ ἐτεκνοτρόφησεν, εἰ ἐξενοδόχησεν, εἰ ἁγίων πόδας ἔνιψεν, εἰ θλιβομένοις ἐπήρκεσεν, εἰ παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ ἐπηκολούθησε. (1 Timothy 5:10)
Well attested for good works: if she brought up children, if she showed hospitality, if she washed the feet of saints, if she helped the afflicted, if she followed every good work.
Grammar in Service of Ethical VisionIn 1 Timothy 5:10, Paul outlines the qualifications for widows who might be enrolled for church support. The verse provides a striking example of how grammar shapes ethical instruction. With a string of conditional clauses beginning with εἰ (“if”), Paul creates a checklist of virtues that identify a life well-lived: raising children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping the afflicted, and devoting oneself to every good work.… Learn Koine Greek
Unceasing 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
The Lamb Will Conquer: Sovereignty and Victory in Revelation 17:14
Οὗτοι μετὰ τοῦ ἀρνίου πολεμήσουσι, καὶ τὸ ἀρνίον νικήσει αὐτούς, ὅτι κύριος κυρίων ἐστὶ καὶ βασιλεὺς βασιλέων, καὶ οἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ κλητοὶ καὶ ἐκλεκτοὶ καὶ πιστοί (Revelation 17:14)
These will wage war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.
This triumphant declaration in Revelation 17:14 marks the decisive victory of the Lamb over the hostile powers of the world. The Greek uses future verbs, theological titles, and a trifold description of the Lamb’s companions to portray not only the outcome of the battle but also the reason behind it—his unmatched authority.… Learn Koine Greek
