Fleeing the Fires of Youth: A Grammatical Journey through 2 Timothy 2:22

Posted on February 22, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Τὰς δὲ νεωτερικὰς ἐπιθυμίας φεῦγε, δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην, πίστιν, ἀγάπην, εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων τὸν κύριον ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Flee youthful desires, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

Verbal Commands: The Grammar of Urgency

The verse is structured around two main imperatives:

φεῦγε – “flee!” (present active imperative, 2nd person singular from φεύγω) δίωκε – “pursue!” (present active imperative, 2nd person singular from διώκω)

The use of present imperative suggests ongoing, habitual action. Paul isn’t commanding Timothy to flee once and be done—it is a constant fleeing and a continual chasing.… Learn Koine Greek

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Comparative Greek Analysis: Galatians 2:19 in Koine vs. Classical Greek

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Classical Greek
Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα Θεῷ ζήσω. (Galatians 2:19)

For I, through the law, died to the law, so that I might live to God.

Phrase-by-Phrase Parallel Commentary: Koine vs. Classical Phrase Koine Greek Usage Classical Greek Usage Convergence / Divergence ἐγὼ γὰρ The pronoun ἐγώ is emphatic here. Koine often uses it to stress personal testimony. The particle γάρ introduces explanation or personal rationale—common in Pauline rhetoric to build logical or theological argumentation. In Classical Greek, ἐγώ is usually omitted unless contrast or emphasis is required. γάρ is used for causal or explanatory statements, often in philosophical discourse (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek
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The Gospel in Motion: Participles and Divine Partnership in Mark 16:20

Posted on February 16, 2025 by New Testament Greek

ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ἐξελθόντες ἐκήρυξαν πανταχοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου συνεργοῦντος καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων. ἀμήν. — Mark 16:20

Participles with Purpose

This final verse of the Gospel of Mark is a crescendo of action and cooperation. The disciples go out and preach, but they are not alone. Three present participles—συνεργοῦντος, βεβαιοῦντος, and ἐπακολουθούντων—describe the active role of the Lord and the confirming signs that follow. The Greek grammar weaves human obedience and divine response into a single tapestry of mission.

Temporal Sequencing in Greek

The verse opens with the aorist participle ἐξελθόντες (“having gone out”), followed by the aorist main verb ἐκήρυξαν (“they preached”).… Learn Koine Greek

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Synonyms: Corrective Language in the Greek New Testament: ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω

Posted on February 14, 2025 by New Testament Greek

The Greek New Testament uses various terms to express rebuke, correction, conviction, and exposure of wrongdoing. Among these, ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω emerge as two major verbs associated with verbal discipline or moral judgment. While both can involve confrontation, they differ in tone, function, and theological nuance. This study also incorporates the related noun forms αἰτία and ἔλεγχος, which contribute to the semantic field of accusation, evidence, and moral proof.

Lexical Definitions and Etymology ἐπιτιμάω – A compound of ἐπί (“upon”) and τιμάω (“to value, honor”), but in Koine usage it evolved to mean “to rebuke,” “to censure,” or “to command sternly.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar Lesson from 1 Corinthians 12:8

Posted on February 12, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Verse in Greek

ᾧ μὲν γὰρ διὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος δίδοται λόγος σοφίας, ἄλλῳ δὲ λόγος γνώσεως κατὰ τὸ αὐτὸ Πνεῦμα,

Focus Topic: Dative of Advantage and Correlative Conjunctions (μὲν…δὲ)

This verse presents a classic example of Paul’s use of balanced structure and rhetorical parallelism, centered around the correlative pair μὲν…δὲ and the use of the dative case to indicate indirect recipients of spiritual gifts.

Dative Personal Recipients: ᾧ μὲν … ἄλλῳ δὲ

The datives ᾧ (“to one”) and ἄλλῳ (“to another”) indicate personal recipients of divine gifts. These are examples of the dative of advantage or indirect object, showing to whom something is given.… Learn Koine Greek

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Synonyms: The Temple in Two Dimensions: ἱερόν and ναός in the Greek New Testament

Posted on February 11, 2025 by New Testament Greek

In the Greek New Testament, the terms ἱερόν and ναός both refer to the “temple,” yet they carry significantly different nuances and theological implications. Both terms are rooted in Greek religious vocabulary, yet when employed by New Testament writers—especially in the Gospels and Pauline Epistles—their meanings are sharpened to reflect both Jewish worship and Christian theology. This article explores their etymology, usage, and theological weight, distinguishing between the physical temple complex and the innermost dwelling place of God.

Lexical Definitions and Origins ἱερόν – A neuter noun from ἱερός (“sacred, holy”). It refers broadly to the sacred precincts or temple complex, including all buildings, courts, and outer areas surrounding the sanctuary in Jerusalem.… Learn Koine Greek
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“Ἰδόντες”: Aorist Participle of Perception and Fulfillment in Matthew 2:10

Posted on February 10, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: The Joy of Seeing

Matthew 2:10 opens with a participle of perception—ἰδόντες {idontes}, from ὁράω, “to see.” The clause reads: “Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα” —“And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

This participle establishes causal sequence and narrative momentum. The magi have been guided by the star; its reappearance or confirmation now triggers an emotional response. In this lesson, we explore how the aorist active participle functions grammatically and theologically within the clause.

Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.

Let’s focus on the aorist participle ἰδόντες—the opening word of Matthew 2:10.… Learn Koine Greek

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New Testament Greek Grammar Analysis of John 1:2

Posted on February 8, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν. Greek Syntax and Sentence Structure in John 1:2

The verse John 1:2 follows the highly structured and theologically rich opening of the Gospel of John. It is a short but dense statement that reaffirms the identity and eternal nature of the Λόγος (Word) as introduced in John 1:1.

This sentence consists of a demonstrative pronoun as the subject (Οὗτος), an imperfect indicative verb (ἦν), a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal setting (ἐν ἀρχῇ), and a prepositional phrase indicating directionality or relationship (πρὸς τὸν Θεόν).

The Use of Οὗτος as a Demonstrative Pronoun

The pronoun Οὗτος (nominative singular masculine of οὗτος) refers back to the subject of the previous verse, ὁ Λόγος (the Word).… Learn Koine Greek

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New Testament Greek Grammar Analysis of John 21:25

Posted on February 7, 2025 by New Testament Greek

Ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ ὃσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἅτινα ἐὰν γράφηται καθ’ ἕν, οὐδὲ αὐτὸν οἶμαι τὸν κόσμον χωρῆσαι τὰ γραφόμενα βιβλία.

Greek Syntax and Sentence Structure in John 21:25

The sentence in John 21:25 exhibits an intricate syntactical structure characteristic of Johannine Greek. The presence of Ἔστι δὲ καὶ suggests a narrative continuation with a postpositive conjunction (δὲ) that softens the transition rather than signaling a strong contrast. The subject is unstated but implied, following a common Greek syntactical pattern where Ἔστι (a present form of εἰμί) introduces existential statements.

The sentence consists of multiple clauses with a mix of relative, conditional, and resultative constructions.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Linguistic and Grammatical Significance of Matthew 1:1 in New Testament Greek

Posted on February 6, 2025 by New Testament Greek

Matthew 1:1 Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ·

Introduction

Matthew 1:1 serves as the introduction to the Gospel according to Matthew, framing the genealogy of Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ and establishing His Davidic and Abrahamic lineage. The syntax, vocabulary, and morphology of this verse reveal important aspects of Koine Greek, particularly in its genitive constructions, noun phrase structures, and theological implications.

Syntactical Analysis

This verse contains a series of genitive constructions, each performing different syntactical functions.

1. Βίβλος γενέσεως – Βίβλος (biblos) is a nominative singular feminine noun meaning “book” or “record.” – γενέσεως (geneseōs) is a genitive singular feminine noun derived from γένεσις (genesis), meaning “origin,” “generation,” or “genealogy.”… Learn Koine Greek

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