Boasting and Integrity: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of 2 Corinthians 7:14

Ὅτι εἴ τι αὐτῷ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν κεκαύχημαι, οὐ κατῃσχύνθην, ἀλλ’ ὡς πάντα ἐν ἀληθείᾳ ἐλαλήσαμεν ὑμῖν, οὕτω καὶ ἡ καύχησις ἡμῶν ἡ ἐπὶ Τίτου ἀλήθεια ἐγενήθη. (2 Corinthians 7:14)

For if I have boasted anything to him about you, I was not put to shame; but just as everything we said to you was in truth, so also our boasting to Titus proved to be true.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis ὅτι — Causal conjunction: “for,” introducing the reason for the previous statement. εἴ τι… κεκαύχημαι — Conditional clause: εἴ + aorist or perfect. κεκαύχημαι is perfect middle/passive indicative, 1st person singular of καυχάομαι: “I have boasted.”… Learn Koine Greek
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The Narrow Gate and the Broad Way: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Matthew 7:13

Εἰσέλθατε διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης· ὅτι πλατεῖα ἡ πύλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν ἀπώλειαν, καὶ πολλοί εἰσιν οἱ εἰσερχόμενοι δι’ αὐτῆς· (Matthew 7:13)

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious the road that leads to destruction, and many are those entering through it.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis Εἰσέλθατε — Aorist active imperative, 2nd person plural of εἰσέρχομαι: “Enter!” Command form stressing decisive action. διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης — Preposition διὰ with genitive: “through the narrow gate.” στενῆς is genitive feminine singular adjective modifying πύλης. ὅτι — Conjunction meaning “for” or “because,” introducing the reason or explanation for the imperative.… Learn Koine Greek
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Declensions in the Shade: Grammatical Depth in Ecclesiastes 7:12

Ὅτι ἐν σκιᾷ αὐτῆς ἡ σοφία ὡς σκιὰ τοῦ ἀργυρίου, καὶ περισσεία γνώσεως τῆς σοφίας ζωοποιήσει τὸν παρ᾽ αὐτῆς. (Ecclesiastes 7:12 LXX)

For in its shadow wisdom is like the shadow of silver, and the abundance of knowledge of wisdom will give life to the one who is from her.

Wisdom, Wealth, and the Power to Give Life

This poetic LXX verse intertwines metaphor and syntax, showing wisdom as both protective and life-giving. The verse revolves around a contrast between wisdom and silver, expressed through careful declension patterns: genitives of comparison, nominatives of identity, and accusatives of effect. Let’s explore how these forms illuminate the theology and imagery.… Learn Koine Greek

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Declensions in Heavenly Worship: Grammatical Harmony in Revelation 7:11

Καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄγγελοι εἱστήκεισαν κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων, καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ἐπὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ Θεῷ. (Revelation 7:11)

And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.

Heaven’s Syntax of Adoration

This majestic vision from Revelation orchestrates a cosmic scene of worship. The declensions in this verse play a symphonic role: nominatives show the participants, genitives form concentric spheres of authority and honor, and datives mark the divine recipient of glory.… Learn Koine Greek

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Equal Portions at the Altar: Perfect Participles and Distributive Justice

Καὶ πᾶσα θυσία ἀναπεποιημένη ἐν ἐλαίῳ καὶ μὴ ἀναπεποιημένη πᾶσι τοῖς υἱοῖς Ααρων ἔσται ἑκάστῳ τὸ ἴσον (Leviticus 7:10 LXX) A Ritual of Sharing: Syntax as Sacred Equity

Leviticus 7:10 LXX prescribes the priestly handling of grain offerings — whether mixed with oil or dry — and decrees their equal distribution among Aaron’s sons. Though brief, this verse hinges on two grammatical pillars: perfect participles and a distributive formula that encodes ritual equality. It is not just priestly regulation — it is grammar woven into justice.

Perfect Participles: Completed Preparation with Ongoing State

Two participles anchor the first half of the verse:

ἀναπεποιημένη — “having been prepared” or “having been mixed” μὴ ἀναπεποιημένη — “not having been prepared” Grammatical Analysis Both are perfect passive participles, feminine nominative singular, agreeing with θυσία (“sacrifice” or “offering”).… Learn Koine Greek
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Into the Ark Two by Two: Distributive Numerals, Gendered Pairs, and Obedient Syntax

Δύο δύο εἰσῆλθον πρὸς Νωε εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ ὁ θεός (Genesis 7:9 LXX) The Structure of the Saving Procession

This compact verse from the Septuagint vividly captures the entrance of animals into Noah’s ark. The beauty of its grammar lies in repetition, distribution, and obedience, with every phrase tightly packed with theological and syntactic meaning. The central grammar revolves around distributive numerals, gender distinction, and a divinely commanded action.

δύο δύο εἰσῆλθον: Distributive Repetition

The phrase δύο δύο (“two by two”) is an example of distributive numerals — a construction where repetition emphasizes pairing and order.… Learn Koine Greek

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Verbal Aspect in New Testament Greek: Imperfective vs. Perfective

One of the most significant developments in modern Greek linguistics is the recognition that verbal aspect—not primarily tense or time—forms the core of the New Testament Greek verb system. Aspect refers to the way an action is viewed or portrayed by the speaker: either as ongoing (imperfective), completed (perfective), or contemplated as developing toward completion (stative or perfect). This article focuses on the first two: imperfective and perfective aspect, which underlie most of the indicative and non-indicative forms in the New Testament.

1. What Is Verbal Aspect?

Verbal aspect is the author’s or speaker’s perspective on the action—whether it is presented as unfolding or complete.… Learn Koine Greek

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Chiasmus, Inclusio, and Anaphora in New Testament Greek

Stylistic devices such as chiasmus, inclusio, and anaphora are not only literary ornaments in ancient texts, but integral features of New Testament Greek discourse. These rhetorical structures shape the way meaning is conveyed, arguments are emphasized, and memory is facilitated in oral and written proclamation. Recognizing and interpreting these features provides deeper exegetical insight and highlights the aesthetic sophistication of the New Testament authors, many of whom were trained in both Semitic and Greco-Roman rhetorical traditions.

1. Chiasmus: Inverted Parallelism

Chiasmus (from the Greek χίασμα, “crosswise arrangement”) is a literary device in which elements are presented in one order (A-B) and then repeated in reverse order (B-A).… Learn Koine Greek

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Numbered and Named: Genitive Constructions and Enumerated Tribes in Revelation 7:7

Ἐκ φυλῆς Συμεὼν δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Λευῒ δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Ἰσσάχαρ δώδεκα χιλιάδες, (Revelation 7:7) Structured Repetition for Sacred Enumeration

Revelation 7:7 continues a solemn liturgical list — the sealing of 144,000 servants, 12,000 from each tribe of the sons of Yisraʾel. This verse lists three tribes: Συμεὼν, Λευῒ, and Ἰσσάχαρ. Though the text seems repetitive, its grammar is precise, sacredly formulaic, and rich in structure.

Let’s explore the three grammatical features that shape this verse:

– Repeated prepositional phrases indicating source or lineage – Genitive constructions connecting each number to its tribe – Use of cardinal numerals with plural substantives to express count

We’ll examine all three clauses using a side-by-side grammatical comparison table.… Learn Koine Greek

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Semantic Range of Greek Verbs in the New Testament: A Case Study on ἀγαπάω and φιλέω

The verbs ἀγαπάω and φιλέω, both often translated as “to love,” exhibit distinct semantic profiles shaped by classical usage, Septuagintal influence, and New Testament theology. While φιλέω traditionally conveyed emotional affection, friendship, and personal attachment in Classical Greek, ἀγαπάω—though rarer—came to express volitional, covenantal love, especially in the Septuagint where it frequently translates the Hebrew אָהֵב in theological contexts. This distinction deepens in the New Testament, where ἀγαπάω dominates, particularly in Johannine and Pauline writings, to describe divine initiative, sacrificial love, and ethical imperatives. In contrast, φιλέω appears in more relational or human-centered contexts, such as familial bonds or friendship. The dialogue between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15–17, where both verbs alternate, has sparked debate over whether the variation is stylistic or theologically significant.… Learn Koine Greek

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