Ready to Preach: Apostolic Eagerness in Romans 1:15

Posted on January 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek

Romans 1:15 concludes Paul’s opening expression of longing to visit the believers in Rome (vv. 8–15). After describing his prayers, obligations to all people, and desire to impart a spiritual gift (vv. 11–14), Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel even in Rome — the capital of the empire. This verse serves as a hinge, transitioning from the introduction into the main theological thesis (v. 16).

Structural Analysis

οὕτω τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ εὐαγγελίσασθαι.

The sentence consists of: (1) the adverbial particle οὕτω (“thus/so”), (2) a nominal clause τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον — “my readiness” or “what is eager in me,” and (3) an infinitive of purpose εὐαγγελίσασθαι (“to preach the gospel”), with its dative object ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ (“to you in Rome”).… Learn Koine Greek

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Flattery, Framing, and the Grammar of a Trap

Posted on December 14, 2014 by New Testament Greek

This richly layered passage from the Gospels offers a prime example of how Greek grammar reflects both strategy and deception. The speakers approach Jesus with words that appear flattering but are designed to frame a trap. Their phrasing employs multiple indicative verbs, careful use of particles like οὐ and μὴ, and strategic use of mood in their final question. The full text reads: οἱ δὲ ἐλθόντες λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός· οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλ’ ἐπ’ ἀληθείας τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ διδάσκεις. εἶπον οὖν ἡμῖν· ἔξεστι δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ; δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν; from Mark 12:14.… Learn Koine Greek

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Zeal and Edification: Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 14:12

Posted on December 12, 2014 by New Testament Greek

1 Corinthians 14:12 is part of Paul’s sustained discussion of spiritual gifts (chapters 12–14), with a special focus in chapter 14 on regulating tongues and prophecy in the gathered assembly. The Corinthian believers were enthusiastic for spiritual manifestations, especially tongues. Paul redirects that zeal toward a greater goal — the building up (οἰκοδομή) of the church. This verse functions as a corrective exhortation, blending commendation with redirection.

Structural Analysis

οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.

The sentence unfolds in three parts: (1) οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “So also you” — linking the Corinthians to the prior comparison (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek

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Abounding with Purpose: Spiritual Zeal and Edification in 1 Corinthians 14:12

Posted on December 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (1 Corinthians 14:12) οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς: Drawing the Reader In

The phrase οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “so also you” — connects this verse with the preceding discussion on tongues and prophecy. Paul now turns directly to the Corinthian believers, drawing a logical parallel: just as certain principles apply generally, so too must they apply to you.

This opening sets the tone: Paul is not condemning their spiritual zeal but reshaping its direction.

ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων: Recognizing Zeal

ἐπεὶ means “since” or “because,” introducing the reason for the exhortation.… Learn Koine Greek

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When Trials Work: Greek Verbs in James 1:3

Posted on November 17, 2014 by New Testament Greek
γινώσκοντες ὅτι τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως κατεργάζεται ὑπομονήν· (James 1:3)

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Two Verbs, One Process

This verse opens with a participle and concludes with a powerful present indicative. These two verbs serve as the scaffolding for understanding the theology of trials in the Epistle of James. Let’s examine them:

γινώσκοντες — present active participle, modifying the subject implicitly (“you know”) κατεργάζεται — present middle/passive indicative, the main verb of the clause Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: γινώσκοντες Lexical Form γινώσκω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Participle Case/Number/Gender Nom. Pl. Masc. Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Continuous awareness; the believers are actively knowing Verb: κατεργάζεται Lexical Form κατεργάζομαι Tense Present Voice Middle/Passive (deponent) Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Singular Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Process-oriented; ongoing production of endurance Why Present Tense in Both Verbs?… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar and Syntactic Analysis of Mark 11:14

Posted on November 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μηκέτι ἐκ σοῦ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μηδεὶς καρπὸν φάγοι. καὶ ἤκουον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ. Aorist Participle ἀποκριθεὶς and Narrative Framing

The participle ἀποκριθεὶς (aorist passive participle, nominative masculine singular of ἀποκρίνομαι) introduces a typical Semitic-influenced narrative formula, often found in the Gospels: “And answering, Jesus said…” This construction is grammatically redundant in Greek but stylistically Semitic. It functions adverbially, indicating the manner or circumstance of the main verb εἶπεν.

Although ἀποκριθεὶς is morphologically passive, the verb ἀποκρίνομαι is deponent, meaning it has passive forms but active meaning: “he answered”.

Finite Verb εἶπεν and Word Order

The verb εἶπεν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular of λέγω) is the main verb of the sentence, meaning “he said.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Moved with Compassion: Healing the Sick in Matthew 14:14

Posted on October 14, 2014 by New Testament Greek

Matthew 14:14 takes place just after Jesus has withdrawn by boat to a solitary place following the death of John the Baptist. Yet the crowds pursue him on foot from the towns. When Jesus disembarks, he encounters a massive crowd. This verse encapsulates the beginning of his response — not withdrawal or rebuke, but healing motivated by compassion. It prepares the way for the miraculous feeding that follows in verses 15–21.

Structural Analysis

Καὶ ἐξελθὼν εἶδε πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐθεράπευσε τοὺς ἀρρώστους αὐτῶν.

The verse features a sequence of three aorist verbs joined by καί: ἐξελθὼν (“having gone out”), εἶδε (“he saw”), ἐσπλαγχνίσθη (“he was moved with compassion”), and ἐθεράπευσε (“he healed”).… Learn Koine Greek

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“τὰ ἐμὰ… τῶν ἐμῶν”: Possessive Adjectives and Personal Ownership in John 10:14

Posted on October 2, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: The Language of Possession

Jesus says:

γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν “I know the things that are mine, and I am known by those who are mine.”

In both clauses, the possessive adjective ἐμός (“mine”) appears in distinct grammatical forms: – τὰ ἐμὰ – accusative neuter plural – τῶν ἐμῶν – genitive masculine (or mixed gender) plural

Though similar in form, each plays a unique role in its clause—and reveals something profound about belonging to Christ.

γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν Morphological Breakdown τὰ ἐμὰ {ta emá} – Form: neuter plural accusative (article + possessive adjective); From: ἐμός, ἐμή, ἐμόν – 1st person singular possessive adjective; Translation: “the things (or ones) that are mine”; Function: Direct object of γινώσκω (“I know”); Notes: Though grammatically neuter, context clearly implies people, not objects—Christ’s sheep.… Learn Koine Greek
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“γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν”: Reciprocal Knowing and Shepherd Identity in John 10:14

Posted on October 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: The Shepherd Who Knows and Is Known

In John 10:14, Jesus states:

Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, καὶ γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν. “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me.”

This verse hinges on two reciprocal clauses: – γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ – “I know those who are mine” – γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν – “I am known by those who are mine”

The parallelism and grammatical symmetry deepen the theological truth: intimacy between Christ and His followers.

Let’s explore the rich grammar and theology of John 10:14, focusing especially on the reciprocal verbs and the identity formula in:

Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, καὶ γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν.… Learn Koine Greek
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When the Crowd Gathers: A Scene Unfolds in Mark 9:14

Posted on September 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (Mark 9:14)

Καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς εἶδεν ὄχλον πολὺν περὶ αὐτοὺς, καὶ γραμματεῖς συζητοῦντας αὐτοῖς

Temporal Action: ἐλθὼν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς

The participle ἐλθὼν is the aorist active participle of ἔρχομαι, meaning “to come” or “to go.” It is nominative masculine singular and refers to Jesus. As an aorist participle, it indicates action prior to the main verb — “after coming” or “when he came.”

The phrase πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς (“to the disciples”) shows the goal of this arrival. This scene follows the Transfiguration, and Jesus is now rejoining the disciples who had remained below.

Main Verb: εἶδεν

εἶδεν is the aorist active indicative of ὁράω — “he saw.”… Learn Koine Greek

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