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.” - ἐν τοῖς παραπτώμασι – “in the trespasses”; preposition + dative plural of παράπτωμα.
- καὶ τῇ ἀκροβυστίᾳ τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν – “and in the uncircumcision of your flesh.”
- συνεζωοποίησεν ὑμᾶς – aorist active indicative 3rd singular from συζωοποιέω, “he made you alive together.”
- σὺν αὐτῷ – preposition + dative, “with him.”
- χαρισάμενος – aorist middle participle nominative singular masculine from χαρίζομαι, “having forgiven/granted.”
- ἡμῖν – dative plural pronoun, “to us.”
- πάντα τὰ παραπτώματα – “all the trespasses”; accusative plural.
Modern Greek Version
Και εσάς, που ήσασταν νεκροί στα παραπτώματά σας και στην απεριτμησία της σάρκας σας, σας ζωοποίησε μαζί με αυτόν, συγχωρώντας μας όλα τα παραπτώματα.
Key Shifts and Adaptations
- νεκροὺς ὄντας → που ήσασταν νεκροί: Participle construction turned into full relative clause.
- ἀκροβυστίᾳ → απεριτμησία: Lexical shift to modern form, meaning preserved.
- συνεζωοποίησεν → σας ζωοποίησε: Verb kept but reordered with direct object fronted.
- χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν → συγχωρώντας μας: Aorist participle becomes present participle in active voice.
- πάντα τὰ παραπτώματα → όλα τα παραπτώματα: Word order adapted to modern flow.
Grammar Comparison Table
| Feature | Koine Greek | Modern Greek | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participle Phrase | νεκροὺς ὄντας | που ήσασταν νεκροί | Rephrased with full verb clause for clarity |
| Compound Verb | συνεζωοποίησεν | σας ζωοποίησε | Same meaning, simpler structure |
| Aorist Participle for Forgiveness | χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν | συγχωρώντας μας | Aorist middle becomes present active participle |
| Word for “Uncircumcision” | ἀκροβυστία | απεριτμησία | Term updated to modern usage, meaning retained |
Grace and Grammar Intertwined
Colossians 2:13 unfolds a powerful theological truth using participial layering and deep clause nesting in Koine Greek. Modern Greek loosens the grammar into a more digestible rhythm — yet the core message is alive: God made us alive with Christ when we were dead, and He did so by forgiving everything. Different syntax, same grace.
