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.”
- ἐνεργὴς – predicate adjective, “effective, active.”
- γένηται – aorist middle subjunctive 3rd singular from γίνομαι, “may become.”
- ἐν ἐπιγνώσει – prepositional phrase, “in full knowledge”; ἐπιγνώσει is dative singular of ἐπίγνωσις.
- παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ – genitive singular phrase, “every good thing.”
- τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν – genitive article + relative clause, “that is in us.”
- εἰς Χριστόν Ἰησοῦν – prepositional phrase expressing direction or purpose, “toward Christ Jesus.”
Modern Greek Version
Ώστε η κοινωνία της πίστης σου να γίνει ενεργή μέσω της επίγνωσης κάθε καλού πράγματος που είναι μέσα μας προς τον Χριστό Ιησού.
Key Grammar Transitions
- ὅπως γένηται → ώστε να γίνει: Subjunctive construction maintained with Modern Greek να clause.
- ἐνεργὴς → ενεργή: Adjective unchanged, regularized in form.
- ἐν ἐπιγνώσει → μέσω της επίγνωσης: Preposition ἐν replaced with μέσω (“through”) for clarity.
- παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ → κάθε καλού πράγματος: Genitive phrase expanded and simplified.
- τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν → που είναι μέσα μας: Relative clause replaces participial structure.
- εἰς Χριστόν Ἰησοῦν → προς τον Χριστό Ιησού: Prepositional direction preserved.
Summary Table of Differences
| Grammatical Feature | Koine Greek | Modern Greek | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose Clause | ὅπως … γένηται | ώστε να γίνει | Subjunctive construction updated with Modern Greek syntax |
| Preposition + Dative | ἐν ἐπιγνώσει | μέσω της επίγνωσης | “In knowledge” becomes “through knowledge” |
| Genitive Description | παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ | κάθε καλού πράγματος | Lexical simplification and clearer phrasing |
| Relative Construction | τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν | που είναι μέσα μας | Ancient genitive clause unpacked into full sentence |
When Faith Moves with Understanding
This short verse elegantly links belief with growth: Koine Greek uses precision and theological depth, embedding purpose and spiritual maturity into concise participles and genitives. Modern Greek unrolls these into accessible terms, favoring readability over compression. Yet the vision remains — faith that doesn’t sit still, but acts, thinks, and directs itself wholly toward Christ.
