Until I Come: Grammatical Imperatives and Ministerial Priorities in 1 Timothy 4:13

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Biblical Greek
Devotion to the Word: Literary and Theological Context of 1 Timothy 4:13

1 Timothy 4:13 — ἕως ἔρχομαι πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. (“Until I come, give attention to the public reading, to exhortation, to teaching.”)

In this pastoral instruction to Timothy, Paul sets forth the core duties of a young church leader in the interim before his own return. This brief verse contains a temporal clause and three coordinated datives governed by a present imperative verb, forming a triad of ministerial priorities centered on Scripture. The syntax is simple, yet packed with ecclesial and theological significance, offering a clear apostolic vision for public ministry.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Withdrawal and Mission: Temporal Syntax and Theological Momentum in Matthew 4:12

Posted on April 12, 2025 by Biblical Greek
Turning Point in Galilee: Literary and Theological Context of Matthew 4:12

Matthew 4:12 — Ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἰωάννης παρεδόθη ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν. (“Now when he heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee.”)

This verse marks a pivotal transition in Matthew’s Gospel. Following the baptism and temptation of Jesus, the narrative now shifts into the beginning of his public ministry. The arrest of John the Baptist becomes a chronological and theological signal, prompting Jesus’ movement toward Galilee. The grammar of the verse—especially the aorist participle ἀκούσας and the main verb ἀνεχώρησεν—constructs a temporal and causal link that drives the narrative forward.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Learning Contentment: The Grammar of Sufficiency in Philippians 4:11

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Biblical Greek
The Verse in Focus (Philippians 4:11)

οὐχ ὅτι καθ’ ὑστέρησιν λέγω· ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι

οὐχ ὅτι… λέγω: Clarifying Motive

Paul opens this sentence with a familiar construction:

– οὐχ ὅτι — literally “not that…” This is an idiom used to deny a misunderstanding of what was just said. – καθ’ ὑστέρησιν — “according to need” or “from a place of lack.” The preposition κατά with the accusative implies cause or standard. – λέγω — “I say” (present active indicative of λέγω).

Together: “Not that I am speaking from need.” Paul wants to make it clear that his appreciation (for the Philippians’ support) isn’t rooted in desperation.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

In Vain? Apostolic Anxiety and Grammatical Tension in Galatians 4:11

Posted on April 11, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Labor in Doubt: Literary and Theological Context of Galatians 4:11

Galatians 4:11 — φοβοῦμαι ὑμᾶς μήπως εἰκῆ κεκοπίακα εἰς ὑμᾶς. (“I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored in vain for you.”)

This terse yet potent verse reveals the emotional undercurrent of Paul’s rebuke to the Galatians. Following his astonishment at their regression to “weak and beggarly elements” (Gal. 4:9), Paul now expresses fear—not for his own reputation, but for the possibility that his labor among them has been rendered fruitless. The Greek syntax captures Paul’s pastoral anxiety through verbal aspect, particles of uncertainty, and final prepositional phrasing. Galatians 4:11 thus embodies not only theological concern, but rhetorical urgency encoded in grammar.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Speaking Against and Judging the Law (James 4:11)

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Biblical Greek
Introduction: Slander as Judgment of the Law

James issues a stark ethical and theological warning against slander among believers:

Μὴ καταλαλεῖτε ἀλλήλων, ἀδελφοί… “Do not speak against one another, brothers…”

He then explains that slandering a brother is functionally equivalent to judging the law itself, a bold theological statement that reverses the moral posture of the speaker: from obedient doer to presumptuous judge.

Μὴ καταλαλεῖτε ἀλλήλων, ἀδελφοί, ὁ καταλαλῶν ἀδελφοῦ καὶ κρίνων τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ καταλαλεῖ νόμου καὶ κρίνει νόμον· εἰ δὲ νόμον κρίνεις, οὐκ εἶ ποιητὴς νόμου, ἀλλὰ κριτής. Morphological Breakdown Μὴ καταλαλεῖτε {mē katalaleíte} – Form: present active imperative, 2nd person plural; Verb: καταλαλέω = “to speak against, slander”; Usage: prohibitive imperative with μή: “Stop slandering one another” ὁ καταλαλῶν… καὶ κρίνων {ho katalalṓn… kai krínōn} – Form: nominative masculine singular present active participles; Translation: “the one who speaks against… and judges…” Function: subject of the main verbs that follow Notes: Both participles describe a single person engaging in both actions: verbal harm and moral judgment.… Learn Koine Greek
Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Striving to Enter: Grammatical Urgency and Covenantal Warning in Hebrews 4:11

Posted on April 10, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Let Us Strive: Literary and Theological Context of Hebrews 4:11

Hebrews 4:11 — Σπουδάσωμεν οὖν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς ἐκείνην τὴν κατάπαυσιν, ἵνα μὴ ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ τις ὑποδείγματι πέσῃ τῆς ἀπειθείας. (“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one may fall into the same pattern of disobedience.”)

This verse brings to a close a major exhortation in Hebrews 3–4 concerning God’s rest, drawing on Psalm 95 to warn believers against the hardening of heart and failure to enter the promised rest. The grammar intensifies this exhortation with a strong hortatory subjunctive, purpose clause, and vivid reference to Israel’s historical failure.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Leave a comment

In This Name: Grammatical Testimony and Christological Boldness in Acts 4:10

Posted on April 10, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Healing in the Name: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 4:10

Acts 4:10 — γνωστὸν ἔστω πᾶσιν ὑμῖν καὶ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ Ἰσραὴλ ὅτι ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃν ὑμεῖς ἐσταυρώσατε, ὃν ὁ Θεὸς ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐν τούτῳ οὗτος παρέστηκεν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν ὑγιής. (“Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—in this name this man stands before you healthy.”)

This verse constitutes the theological climax of Peter’s defense before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4, immediately following the healing of the lame man and the questioning of the apostles’ authority (Acts 4:7–9).… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Known by God: Grammatical Emphasis and Theological Identity in Galatians 4:9

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Biblical Greek
From Knowledge to Bondage: Literary and Theological Context of Galatians 4:9

Galatians 4:9 — νῦν δὲ γνόντες Θεόν, μᾶλλον δὲ γνωσθέντες ὑπὸ Θεοῦ, πῶς ἐπιστρέφετε πάλιν ἐπὶ τὰ ἀσθενῆ καὶ πτωχὰ στοιχεῖα, οἷς πάλιν ἄνωθεν δουλεύειν θέλετε; (“But now that you have come to know God—or rather to be known by God—how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and miserable elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?”)

This verse is situated in Paul’s passionate theological appeal to the Galatians to resist turning back to the Law after having received the gospel of grace.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Interrogated for a Healing: Grammatical Irony and Theological Clarity in Acts 4:9

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Biblical Greek
Standing Trial for Kindness: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 4:9

Acts 4:9 — εἰ ἡμεῖς σήμερον ἀνακρινόμεθα ἐπὶ εὐεργεσίᾳ ἀνθρώπου ἀσθενοῦς, ἐν τίνι οὗτος σέσῳσται, (“If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man, by what means this one has been healed…”)

This verse opens Peter’s response before the Sanhedrin following the miraculous healing of a lame man (Acts 3:1–10). The leaders’ interrogation (Acts 4:7) prompts a Spirit-filled answer (v. 8) that reframes the legal proceedings as a trial of divine goodness. The syntax of Acts 4:9 uses a conditional clause and a rhetorical question to create both irony and theological setup.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Irony and Imperfect Kingship: Grammatical Sarcasm and Apostolic Longing in 1 Corinthians 4:8

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Biblical Greek
Reigning Without Us: Literary and Theological Context of 1 Corinthians 4:8

1 Corinthians 4:8 — ἤδη κεκορεσμένοι ἐστέ, ἤδη ἐπλουτήσατε, χωρὶς ἡμῶν ἐβασιλεύσατε· καὶ ὄφελόν γε ἐβασιλεύσατε, ἵνα καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν συμβασιλεύσωμεν. (“Already you are filled, already you have become rich, you have begun to reign without us—and would that you did reign, so that we might also reign with you.”)

This verse falls within Paul’s biting rhetorical critique of the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 4:6–13. After exposing the pride and self-sufficiency of the Corinthians, Paul turns to irony, contrasting their triumphalism with the apostles’ suffering and marginalization. The grammatical structures in this verse intensify the rhetorical strategy: perfects to suggest completed self-satisfaction, aorists to express isolated acts, and a wish construction to frame eschatological hope.… Learn Koine Greek

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Leave a comment


  1. NT Greek Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 8
  6. 9
  7. 10
  8. 11
  9. 12
  10. 13
  11. 14
  12. ...
  13. 79