Keeping the Words: A Grammar Window into Revelation 22:7

Posted on July 22, 2023 by New Testament Greek
Revelation 22:7 καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔρχομαι ταχύ. μακάριος ὁ τηρῶν τοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου.

Modern Greek Pronunciation: kai idou érchomai tachý. makários o ti̱rṓn tous lógous ti̱s profi̱teías tou vivlíou toútou.

Literal English Translation: And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

Koine Greek Structure Explained καὶ ἰδοὺ – Coordinating conjunction + interjection: “And behold!” (ἰδοὺ from ἰδέ, used for dramatic focus). ἔρχομαι – Present middle/passive indicative 1st singular from ἔρχομαι, “I am coming.” Expresses a near-future action with present vividness. ταχύ – adverb, “quickly, soon.” μακάριος – nominative masculine singular adjective, “blessed, happy.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Of Greetings and Titles: The Craving for Honor in Matthew 23:7

Posted on July 12, 2023 by New Testament Greek

Matthew 23:7 is part of Jesus’ powerful denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees — a chapter known for its “woes.” In the opening verses, Jesus exposes the gap between their public religious performance and their private hypocrisy. Verse 7 continues the list of behaviors that reveal their desire for prominence, focusing here on how they seek recognition both socially and religiously. The syntax is deceptively simple but rich with theological irony.

Structural Analysis

καὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς καὶ καλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ῥαββὶ ῥαββί.

This verse consists of two parallel desires: (1) τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς — “the greetings in the marketplaces” and (2) καλεῖσθαι…ῥαββὶ ῥαββί — “to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”… Learn Koine Greek

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Who Tripped You Up? A Grammatical Race Through Galatians 5:7

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Classical Greek
Ἐτρέχετε καλῶς· τίς ὑμᾶς ἐνέκοψε τῇ ἀληθείᾳ μὴ πείθεσθαι;

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7)

1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek Ἐτρέχετε: Imperfect active indicative second person plural of τρέχω (“to run”). The imperfect suggests continuous past action—”you were running”—which builds the metaphor of steady progress before interruption. καλῶς: Adverb meaning “well,” modifying Ἐτρέχετε. Koine often uses positive adverbs to frame moral or spiritual behavior metaphorically. τίς: Interrogative pronoun in the nominative singular, functioning as the subject—”Who?” Koine retains Classical interrogatives with similar placement at the head of the question. ὑμᾶς: Accusative plural pronoun, functioning as the object of ἐνέκοψε (“hindered”).… Learn Koine Greek
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Pauline Benediction and Gracious Presence in Philippians 4:23: Syntax, Word Order, and Communal Emphasis

Posted on July 1, 2023 by New Testament Greek
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν· ἀμήν. Nominative Subject and Theological Center: Ἡ χάρις

– Ἡ: Definite article, nominative singular feminine—”the.” – χάρις: Nominative singular feminine noun—”grace.” – Acts as the subject of an implied verb (often supplied as “be” or “be with”). – In Paul’s letters, χάρις represents the unmerited favor, kindness, and saving activity of God mediated through Christ.

Genitive of Source or Possession: τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

– τοῦ κυρίου: Genitive singular masculine of κύριος—”of the Lord.” – Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ: Genitive singular proper names—”Jesus Christ.” – Apposition to τοῦ κυρίου, identifying which Lord is meant.… Learn Koine Greek

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Honor Under the Yoke: Grammar Across the Ages in 1 Timothy 6:1

Posted on June 1, 2023 by New Testament Greek
Ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι, τοὺς ἰδίους δεσπότας πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους ἡγείσθωσαν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἡ διδασκαλία βλασφημῆται. (1 Timothy 6:1)

Modern Greek Pronunciation: Ósi ísin ypó zygó̱n doúli, tous idíous despótas pásis timí̱s axíous igí̱stho̱san, ína mi to ónoma tou Theoú kai i didaskalía vlassfi̱mí̱tai.

Literal English Translation: As many as are slaves under a yoke, let them regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.

Koine Greek Structure Ὅσοι – nominative plural relative pronoun, “as many as,” subject of main verb.… Learn Koine Greek
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Visible Righteousness: The Morphology of Matthew 23:5

Posted on May 23, 2023 by New Testament Greek
Three Verbs, One Hypocrisy

In this sharp critique of the Pharisees, Jesus uses three present tense verbs to reveal a pattern of behavior centered on visibility and pride. Let’s examine the verbs:

ποιοῦσι — present active indicative, “they do” πλατύνουσι — present active indicative, “they broaden” μεγαλύνουσι — present active indicative, “they enlarge”

All three verbs reinforce the idea of habitual, ongoing religious performance aimed at public attention.

 

Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ποιοῦσι Lexical Form ποιέω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Ongoing behavior—they habitually do these works Verb: πλατύνουσι Lexical Form πλατύνω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force They habitually enlarge their phylacteries to appear pious Verb: μεγαλύνουσι Lexical Form μεγαλύνω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Plural Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force They repeatedly and actively increase the size of tassels as visual signals of holiness

 

The Imperfective Aspect: A Pattern of Display

Each of the three verbs is in the present tense, emphasizing continuous or repeated action:

ποιοῦσι: They continually do their deeds—not as a one-off event but as a pattern of religious performance.… Learn Koine Greek
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Religious Display and Externalism in Matthew 23:5: Purpose Clauses and Public Performance in Greek Syntax

Posted on May 1, 2023 by New Testament Greek

πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσι πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, πλατύνουσι γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα τῶν ἰματίων αὐτῶν,

Main Clause and Intentional Motivation: πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσι πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις

– πάντα: Accusative neuter plural of πᾶς—”all.” – τὰ ἔργα: Accusative neuter plural of ἔργον, “deeds” or “works.” – πάντα τὰ ἔργα: “all the deeds”—complete inclusion. – αὐτῶν: Genitive plural pronoun—”of them,” modifying ἔργα. – ποιοῦσι: Present active indicative, 3rd person plural of ποιέω, “they do.” – δὲ: Mildly contrastive—”but,” continuing from v. 4. – πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι: Preposition πρὸς + articular infinitive—”in order to be seen.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Hypocrisy and Legal Burden in Matthew 23:4: Coordinated Verbs, Contrastive Dative, and Accusation through Syntax

Posted on April 1, 2023 by New Testament Greek
δεσμεύουσιν γὰρ φορτία βαρέα καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, τῷ δὲ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσι κινῆσαι αὐτά. Introduction with Causal Particle and Present Verbs: δεσμεύουσιν γὰρ φορτία βαρέα

– δεσμεύουσιν: Present active indicative, 3rd person plural of δεσμεύω, “they tie up,” “they bind.” – Present tense implies habitual or ongoing action. – γάρ: Causal particle—”for,” introducing an explanation for a previous statement (e.g., Jesus’ accusation in v. 3). – φορτία: Accusative plural neuter noun—”burdens,” “loads.” – βαρέα: Accusative plural neuter adjective—”heavy.” – Modifies φορτία; emphasizes the oppressive weight. – Together: “For they bind heavy burdens…”

Coordinated Verb and Spatial Image: καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων

– καὶ: Coordinating conjunction—”and.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Higher than Self: Grammar and Humility in Philippians 2:3

Posted on March 2, 2023 by New Testament Greek
Philippians 2:3 μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν.

Modern Greek Pronunciation: mi̱thén katà eritheían ē kenodoxían, allà ti̱ tapeinophrosýni̱ allḗlous ēgoúmenoi yperéchontas heautōn.

Literal English Translation: Doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but in humility regarding one another as more important than yourselves.

Koine Grammar Breakdown μηδὲν – accusative neuter singular, functioning adverbially: “nothing.” κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν – “according to selfish ambition or vain glory”; – ἐριθείαν = strife, rivalry; – κενοδοξίαν = empty pride, vanity. ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ – “but in humility”; dative of means or manner. ἀλλήλους – accusative masculine plural, reciprocal pronoun: “one another.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Say but Do Not Do: Grammatical Structure and Ethical Critique in Matthew 23:3

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Biblical Greek
Instruction and Inconsistency: Literary and Theological Context of Matthew 23:3

Matthew 23:3 — πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν τηρεῖν, τηρεῖτε καὶ ποιεῖτε, κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε· λέγουσι γὰρ, καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσι. (“Therefore, all that they tell you to observe, observe and do; but do not do according to their works, for they say and do not do.”)

This verse introduces Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23, a chapter often labeled the “Seven Woes.” It encapsulates Jesus’ critique of religious hypocrisy: verbal instruction without practical obedience. The syntax of Matthew 23:3 juxtaposes imperative obedience to authoritative teaching with prohibition against imitating hypocritical behavior.… Learn Koine Greek

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