Testing Your Own Work: Grammar Crossroads in Galatians 6:4

Verse in Focus

Galatians 6:4 : τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἑαυτοῦ δοκιμαζέτω ἕκαστος, καὶ τότε εἰς ἑαυτὸν μόνον τὸ καύχημα ἕξει καὶ οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἕτερον·

Modern Pronunciation: to de Érgon eaftoú dokimazéto ékastos, ke tóte is eaftón mónon to kávchima éxi ke ouk is ton héteron.

Literal English: But the work of himself let each one test, and then to himself alone he will have the boasting and not to the other.

Word-by-Word Breakdown τὸ δὲ ἔργον – “but the work” – τὸ: nominative/accusative neuter singular article – δὲ: postpositive particle (marks mild contrast) – ἔργον: accusative neuter singular noun (“deed, work”) ἑαυτοῦ – genitive masculine singular reflexive pronoun (“his own”) δοκιμαζέτω – 3rd person singular present active imperative of δοκιμάζω (“let him test/prove”) ἕκαστος – nominative masculine singular adjective (“each”) acting as subject τότε – adverb (“then”) εἰς ἑαυτὸν μόνον – prepositional phrase (“to himself alone”) – εἰς: preposition + accusative – ἑαυτὸν: reflexive pronoun – μόνον: adverb (“only”) τὸ καύχημα – accusative neuter singular (“boast, boasting”) ἕξει – 3rd person singular future active indicative of ἔχω (“he will have”) καὶ οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἕτερον – “and not to the other” – negation οὐκ with prepositional phrase indicating contrast What Happens in Modern Greek?… Learn Koine Greek
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“διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων”: Participial Genitive of Means in Mark 16:20

Introduction: Signs That Follow

The longer ending of Mark concludes with a beautiful note of divine validation:

τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων “confirming the word through the signs that followed.”

The prepositional phrase διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων functions to express the means by which the word was being confirmed. The participle ἐπακολουθούντων is present active genitive plural, emphasizing that these signs were not isolated miracles, but ongoing accompaniment—a continual aftermath of faithful preaching.

τοῦ κυρίου συνεργοῦντος, καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων.

Let’s now focus on the final phrase of Mark 16:20:

διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων — “through the signs that followed”

This phrase uses a genitive plural present participle (ἐπακολουθούντων) modifying the genitive noun σημείων, and the entire phrase functions as a prepositional genitive of means or agency.… Learn Koine Greek

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“βεβαιοῦντος”: Present Participial Confirmation of the Word in Mark 16:20

Introduction: A Gospel Confirmed

The final line of Mark’s Gospel (long ending) says:

τοῦ κυρίου συνεργοῦντος, καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων “…the Lord working with them, and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

The participle βεβαιοῦντος {veveoúndos} is a present active genitive singular participle from βεβαιόω. It belongs to the second half of a double genitive absolute and describes God’s continuous, active confirmation of the apostolic message by supernatural means. The grammar is tight, vivid, and theologically rich.

Though the form βεβαιοῦντος looks like a present participle, it is important to distinguish it from the perfect participle form (βεβαιωμένος).… Learn Koine Greek

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“τοῦ κυρίου συνεργοῦντος, καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος…”: Genitive Absolute and Divine Participation in Mark 16:20

Introduction: Signs of a Cooperative Kingdom

Mark 16:20 concludes with a profound description of divine activity:

Ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ἐξελθόντες ἐκήρυξαν πανταχοῦ, τοῦ κυρίου συνεργοῦντος, καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων. “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.”

The phrase τοῦ κυρίου συνεργοῦντος… καὶ… βεβαιοῦντος is a classic genitive absolute construction, independent from the main clause. It describes what God was doing concurrently with the apostles’ mission. This grammatical construction teaches that the spread of the gospel was not merely human effort—but divine-human synergy, empowered and authenticated by God Himself.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Appointed Time: Grammatical Revelation and Apostolic Commission in Titus 1:3

God’s Word Revealed: Literary and Theological Context of Titus 1:3

Titus 1:3 — ἐφανέρωσε δὲ καιροῖς ἰδίοις τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ ἐν κηρύγματι ὃ ἐπιστεύθην ἐγὼ κατ’ ἐπιταγὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ, (“But he revealed his word at the proper times through preaching, with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior.”)

This verse continues Paul’s tightly constructed theological introduction to the letter to Titus. It connects God’s eternal purpose (v. 2) with the historical manifestation of that purpose through apostolic proclamation. The grammar balances aorist revelation, dative means, relative clauses, and prepositional agency to present a compact theology of preaching: God’s word is made visible through the divinely appointed mission of proclamation.… Learn Koine Greek

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Three Kinds of Eunuchs: Greek Grammar and the Call to the Kingdom

This verse from Jesus’ response to his disciples reveals a deeply layered teaching about singleness, sacrifice, and the kingdom of heaven. Through repetitive structures, relative clauses, passive and middle verbs, and a rare optative imperative, the grammar of Matthew 19:12 communicates both clarity and challenge: εἰσὶ γὰρ εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἐγεννήθησαν οὕτω· καὶ εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. ὁ δυνάμενος χωρεῖν χωρείτω.

The Greek Text in Focus

εἰσὶ γὰρ εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἐγεννήθησαν οὕτω· καὶ εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.… Learn Koine Greek

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Humility in Greek: A Grammatical Bridge from Classical to Koine in Philippians 2:3

1. Verse Reference : Philippians 2:3

μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν.

Literal Translation: Nothing according to selfish ambition or vain-glory, but in humility considering one another as surpassing themselves.

2. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek μηδὲν: A neuter accusative pronoun often used with implied verbs (like “do”)—a feature increasingly common in Koine, where elliptical constructions are more accepted. κατὰ + accusative: This construction expresses measure or standard (“according to”). It exists in Classical Greek but gains moral-ethical nuance in Koine writings. ἢ: Classical and Koine Greek both use this as “or,” but in Koine, it more frequently connects moral or rhetorical contrasts (ἐριθεία vs.… Learn Koine Greek
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Power from Above: Divine Sovereignty and Moral Responsibility in John 19:11

John 19:11 takes place during Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate. Pilate has just asked Jesus, “Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” (John 19:10). Jesus replies with the verse in question, exposing the illusion of Roman power and asserting a divine framework behind human actions. This verse is a theological fulcrum — it speaks to divine sovereignty, delegated authority, and relative guilt.

Structural Analysis

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς· οὐκ εἶχες ἐξουσίαν οὐδεμίαν κατ’ ἐμοῦ, εἰ μὴ ἦν δεδομένον σοι ἄνωθεν· διὰ τοῦτο ὁ παραδιδούς μέ σοι μείζονα ἁμαρτίαν ἔχει.

The sentence unfolds in two parts: first, a correction of Pilate’s claim to power, and second, a statement about the relative guilt of those involved in Jesus’ betrayal and condemnation.… Learn Koine Greek

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Identifying Adjectives in New Testament Greek: A Practical Guide

Spotting adjectives in New Testament Greek can be a bit tricky at first, but there are some key patterns and grammar rules to help. This guide offers practical tips for recognizing adjectives in New Testament Greek, an essential skill for accurate reading and translation. Here are the main ways to identify adjectives in NT Greek:

1. Adjectives Agree in Gender, Number, and Case with the Noun

Adjectives in Greek must match the noun they modify in gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), number (singular or plural), and case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative).

Example: In ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος (good man), the adjective ἀγαθός, (good) agrees with the noun ἄνθρωπος, (man) in gender, number, and case.… Learn Koine Greek

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Learning New Testament Greek: Avoiding Common Student Mistakes

Learning New Testament Greek can be challenging, and students often encounter several common pitfalls. Here are some mistakes that new students typically make and suggestions on how to avoid them:

1. Neglecting Vocabulary

Mistake: Students often focus too much on grammar and overlook the importance of vocabulary, leading to difficulty in reading and comprehension.

Solution: Regularly practice vocabulary using flashcards or apps. Try to learn a set number of new words each week and review them frequently.

 

2. Ignoring Context

Mistake: Students may translate phrases in isolation without considering the broader context of the passage, leading to misunderstandings.

Solution: Always read the surrounding verses or chapters.… Learn Koine Greek

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