Greek Grammar Lesson from Philippians 2:25

Posted on February 25, 2023 by New Testament Greek
Philippians 2:25

Ἀναγκαῖον δὲ ἡγησάμην Ἐπαφρόδιτον τὸν ἀδελφὸν καὶ συνεργὸν καὶ συστρατιώτην μου, ὑμῶν δὲ ἀπόστολον καὶ λειτουργὸν τῆς χρείας μου, πέμψαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς,

Focus Topic: Double Accusative with Infinitive of Intent

This verse provides a rich example of Greek syntax involving a double accusative construction with a complementary infinitive, along with appositional phrases and possessive genitives. The grammar reflects Paul’s personal affection and theological appreciation for Epaphroditus.

Main Verb: ἡγησάμην

ἡγησάμην is aorist middle indicative, 1st person singular, from ἡγέομαι (“I consider, I regard”). It governs a double accusative construction, with both the person considered (Epaphroditus) and the action determined (πέμψαι).… Learn Koine Greek

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Crossing Sea and Land for Judgment: Classical and Koine Grammar in Matthew 23:15

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Classical Greek
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι περιάγετε τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν ποιῆσαι ἕνα προσήλυτον, καὶ ὅταν γένηται, ποιεῖτε αὐτὸν υἱὸν γεέννης διπλότερον ὑμῶν.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you go around sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes so, you make him a son of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15)

1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν: Interjection Οὐαὶ (“woe”) followed by dative plural pronoun ὑμῖν (“to you”). A prophetic denunciation formula preserved from Hebrew usage, with the dative marking the recipient of the woe. γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί: Appositional vocatives; γραμματεῖς and Φαρισαῖοι are modified by ὑποκριταί (“hypocrites”).… Learn Koine Greek
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Then He Spoke: Aorist and Dative Direction in Matthew 23:1

Posted on January 1, 2023 by New Testament Greek

Τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησε τοῖς ὄχλοις καὶ τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ — Matthew 23:1

The Moment Before the Rebuke

Matthew 23 begins with a formal and significant transition. The use of Τότε (“then”) marks a shift in narrative time and tone, preparing the audience for one of Jesus’ most scathing critiques—his denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. This short verse is grammatically simple but theologically loaded. The grammar establishes a formal speech moment in which the audience is defined and the action is definitive.

ἐλάλησε: Aorist Declarative Action

The main verb ἐλάλησε (“he spoke”) is in the aorist active indicative, conveying a completed, past action.… Learn Koine Greek

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Nouns in New Testament Greek

Posted on December 30, 2022 by New Testament Greek
1. Definition and Function

Definition of a Noun: A noun (ὄνομα) is a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

Functions of Nouns in a Sentence: Nouns can serve multiple roles, such as:

Subject: The main actor in a sentence.

Direct Object: The recipient of the action.

Indirect Object: Indicates to whom or for whom the action is done.

 

2. Gender of Nouns

Nouns in NT Greek are classified as masculine, feminine, or neuter. This affects agreement with articles and adjectives.

Masculine: Generally denotes male beings.

Example: ἀνήρ (“man”) in John 1:6.

Feminine: Typically denotes female beings.

Example: γυναῖκα (“woman”) in Luke 8:2.… Learn Koine Greek

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What Is Man? Interrogatives and Subjunctives in Hebrews 2:6

Posted on December 26, 2022 by New Testament Greek
διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων· τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος ὅτι μιμνήσκῃ αὐτοῦ, ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν; (Hebrews 2:6) The Echo of Wonder in Precise Greek Form

In Hebrews 2:6, the author introduces a citation that carries both literary reverence and theological astonishment. The syntax is shaped by two rhetorical questions—quoted from Psalm 8—that explore the mystery of God’s mindfulness toward humanity. But this verse is not merely poetic; it is constructed with linguistic precision that frames divine condescension in Koine Greek elegance.

This article explores:

The impersonal introduction διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων The use of interrogative particles τί and conjunction ὅτι in embedded questions The significance of the subjunctive verbs μιμνήσκῃ and ἐπισκέπτῃ διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων – A Formal but Vague Citation

The phrase διεμαρτύρατο δὲ πού τις λέγων introduces the quotation.… Learn Koine Greek

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“What Then Shall I Do?”: Greek Grammar and the Question of Kingship

Posted on December 15, 2022 by New Testament Greek

In Mark 15:12, Pilate confronts the crowd with a haunting question that reverberates through the Passion narrative. The verse — ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἀποκριθεὶς πάλιν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί οὖν θέλετε ποιήσω ὃν λέγετε τὸν βασιλέα τῶν Ἰουδαίων; — employs aorist participles, interrogative pronouns, and layered direct discourse. The grammar sharpens the rhetorical edge of the question: what do you want me to do with the one you call “King of the Jews”?

The Greek Text in Focus

ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἀποκριθεὶς πάλιν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί οὖν θέλετε ποιήσω ὃν λέγετε τὸν βασιλέα τῶν Ἰουδαίων; (Mark 15:12)

“And Pilate again answered and said to them, ‘What then do you want me to do with the one you call the King of the Jews?’”… Learn Koine Greek

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Greek Grammatical and Syntactic Analysis of 2 John 1:11

Posted on November 1, 2022 by New Testament Greek
ὁ γὰρ λέγων αὐτῷ χαίρειν κοινωνεῖ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς. Definite Article and Articular Participle: ὁ λέγων

– ὁ λέγων: nominative masculine singular articular present active participle of λέγω, meaning “the one who says” or “he who says”

The article ὁ with the participle λέγων forms a substantival participial phrase, functioning as the subject of the main verb κοινωνεῖ. This construction allows the participle to stand on its own as a noun phrase.

γάρ as a Coordinating Conjunction

– γάρ: explanatory coordinating conjunction, “for” or “because”

It introduces the reason for the preceding command (i.e., not to greet or receive someone who does not bring the true doctrine).… Learn Koine Greek

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The One Who Opposes: Participles and Blasphemous Self-Exaltation in 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Greek Insights
ὁ ἀντικείμενος καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος ἐπὶ πάντα λεγόμενον Θεὸν ἢ σέβασμα, ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ καθίσαι, ἀποδεικνύντα ἑαυτὸν ὅτι ἔστι Θεός. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) The Language of Rebellion and Deception

In 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul gives a vivid grammatical profile of the “man of lawlessness” (v.3), using a tight sequence of present participles, an ὥστε clause of result, and a climactic declaration of false divinity. The Greek builds a theological portrait through layered grammar—one that reveals both his opposition to God and his delusional exaltation above all things sacred.

ὁ ἀντικείμενος καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος – The One Opposing and Exalting Himself ὁ ἀντικείμενος – present middle/passive participle, nominative masculine singular from ἀντίκειμαι, “the one who opposes” (standing against) καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος – present middle participle from ὑπεραίρομαι, “exalting oneself, lifting oneself above”

These participles serve as descriptive modifiers of the subject (the man of lawlessness), emphasizing continuous and deliberate opposition to everything divine and revered.… Learn Koine Greek

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“ἐχάρησαν”: The Second Aorist Passive Deponent of Joy in Matthew 2:10

Posted on October 2, 2022 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: The Grammar of Overwhelming Joy

As the magi finally see the star—confirmation of divine guidance—the text states: “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” The Greek verb ἐχάρησαν {echarēsan} is a grammatical paradox: passive in form, but active in function. It is a second aorist passive deponent of χαίρω {chairō}, “to rejoice.”

This moment captures the fulfillment of hope and divine direction, but the grammar does more than narrate emotion—it intensifies, structures, and highlights it. The deponent nature of the verb, combined with an emphatic cognate accusative, constructs a vivid theological and literary crescendo.

Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.… Learn Koine Greek
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Seeing but Not Hearing: Grammatical Discrepancy and Narrative Tension in Acts 22:9

Posted on September 22, 2022 by New Testament Greek
Witnesses to Glory: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 22:9

Acts 22:9 — οἱ δὲ σὺν ἐμοὶ ὄντες τὸ μὲν φῶς ἐθεάσαντο καὶ ἔμφοβοι ἐγένοντο, τὴν δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν τοῦ λαλοῦντός μοι. (“Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me.”)

In Acts 22:9, Paul recounts his Damascus road experience before a hostile crowd in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the partial perception of those accompanying him—they saw the light, were terrified, but did not hear the voice. The grammar creates both narrative tension and theological significance, particularly in comparison with Acts 9:7, which presents the same event with different emphasis.… Learn Koine Greek

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