In καὶ πάλιν λέγει· εὐφράνθητε ἔθνη μετὰ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ (Romans 15:10, quoting Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX), Paul draws on the voice of Scripture to make a powerful theological claim — but it is Greek grammar, and specifically the aorist imperative εὐφράνθητε, that delivers the rhetorical thunder. In Koine Greek, the imperative mood does more than command — it invites, exhorts, even celebrates. And when that imperative appears in the aorist, it bursts with finality and force. The verse, though brief, becomes a linguistic shout across nations: “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people!”
Here, a divine call to joy is issued to the nations (τὰ ἔθνη) — but the grammar embeds a subtle and profound theology: joy is not merely habitual or ongoing (as the present imperative would suggest); it is definitive, celebratory, almost eschatological. This joy is to be entered into decisively, because the time has come.
Morphological Breakdown
- καὶ {ke, (Erasmian: kaí)} –
Root: καί
Form: coordinating conjunction
Lexical Meaning: “and,” “also”
Contextual Notes: Marks the continuation of Paul’s scriptural citation sequence. - πάλιν {pálin, (Erasmian: pálin)} –
Root: πάλιν
Form: adverb
Lexical Meaning: “again”
Contextual Notes: Signals the next quotation in a rhetorical chain. - λέγει {léyi, (Erasmian: légei)} –
Root: λέγω
Form: present active indicative, 3rd person singular
Lexical Meaning: “he says”
Contextual Notes: Historical present used for vividness; introduces the scriptural quotation. - εὐφράνθητε {efránthite, (Erasmian: euphránthēte)} –
Root: εὐφραίνω
Form: aorist passive imperative, 2nd person plural
Lexical Meaning: “rejoice,” “be glad”
Contextual Notes: Aorist imperative implies a punctiliar command: a decisive act of rejoicing, not merely continuous joy. Though passive in form, it has an active force (common with emotional or experiential verbs). The use of this verb draws from psalmic and prophetic liturgy. - ἔθνη {éthni, (Erasmian: éthnē)} –
Root: ἔθνος
Form: nominative neuter plural noun (vocative function here)
Lexical Meaning: “nations,” “Gentiles”
Contextual Notes: Vocative in function — addressing the Gentiles directly in the prophetic imperative. - μετὰ {metá, (Erasmian: metá)} –
Root: μετά
Form: preposition + genitive
Lexical Meaning: “with”
Contextual Notes: Indicates accompaniment; used here to express shared joy with Israel. - τοῦ λαοῦ {tou laou, (Erasmian: tou laou)} –
Root: λαός
Form: genitive masculine singular noun with article
Lexical Meaning: “of the people”
Contextual Notes: Refers to Israel; the people of God. - αὐτοῦ {aftou, (Erasmian: autoû)} –
Root: αὐτός
Form: genitive masculine singular pronoun
Lexical Meaning: “his”
Contextual Notes: Refers to God; completes the genitive phrase “with His people.”
The Aorist Imperative: Rejoice — Now
Koine Greek distinguishes between the aorist and present imperative, and the difference is not merely grammatical — it is theological. The aorist imperative εὐφράνθητε calls for a complete, decisive action. It is not “keep on rejoicing,” but “rejoice — right now!” In the context of Romans 15, Paul cites this as part of his vision of Gentile inclusion. The nations are no longer distant observers; they are summoned to join in Israel’s joy.
In quoting Deuteronomy 32:43 from the LXX, Paul uses the Greek imperative to include the Gentiles in the eschatological fulfillment of God’s promises. The verb εὐφραίνω is often found in psalms and prophetic literature in joyful outbursts, banquets, and celebrations of deliverance. The aorist form aligns perfectly with this theology: a single, decisive, celebratory act of praise and inclusion.
The Syntax of Shared Praise
The phrase μετὰ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ frames a new social and theological reality. In the Hebrew original (which differs), the Gentiles are often cast as enemies or peripheral nations. But Paul, following the LXX, interprets this verse typologically: now the Gentiles are co-rejoicers with Israel. This is not just theology — it’s grammar doing theological work. The prepositional phrase with μετά signals inclusion, unity, celebration across boundaries. Syntax becomes liturgy.
The Imperative that Opened the Gates
εὐφράνθητε ἔθνη is no gentle suggestion. It is a prophetic shout, an apostolic call, and a grammatical celebration. The aorist imperative breaks into Paul’s flow like a trumpet blast — commanding the Gentiles not just to be happy, but to share in the liturgical joy of Israel’s salvation. In Greek, it is not just what you say — it is how you say it. And in this one verb, Greek grammar becomes gospel proclamation.
