If You Think Otherwise: Conditional Clauses and Divine Disclosure in Philippians 3:15

Posted on September 3, 2015 by New Testament Greek

In Ὅσοι οὖν τέλειοι, τοῦτο φρονῶμεν· καὶ εἴ τι ἑτέρως φρονεῖτε, καὶ τοῦτο ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῖν ἀποκαλύψει (Philippians 3:15), Paul addresses those who consider themselves spiritually mature. But rather than rebuke those who might disagree, he employs a first-class conditional clause — εἴ τι ἑτέρως φρονεῖτε — to allow space for disagreement and correction. The structure is striking: Paul assumes the possibility of differing views, yet calmly asserts that God himself will make truth known. The Greek syntax here balances exhortation, humility, and assurance through conditional construction and verb tense precision.

Morphological Breakdown Ὅσοι – Root: ὅσος Form: nominative masculine plural relative pronoun Lexical Meaning: “as many as,” “all who” Contextual Notes: Introduces the inclusive category — the spiritually mature group being addressed.… Learn Koine Greek
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When Perfection Waits: The Grammar of Humble Aspiration

Posted on September 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek

In today’s lesson, we dive into a short but profound expression of spiritual humility through New Testament Greek grammar: ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔπω λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι from Philippians 3:13. This small segment of Paul’s letter reveals striking insights into aspect, voice, and perspective — showing how even a few words in Greek can capture a complex inner journey of striving toward spiritual maturity.

The Greek Text in Focus

ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὔπω λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι (Philippians 3:13)

“Brothers, I do not yet consider myself to have taken hold.”

Grammatical Highlights

This powerful statement includes important grammatical elements that deserve close attention:

ἀδελφοί — vocative plural, directly addressing the audience (“brothers”).… Learn Koine Greek
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In the Midst of the Measure: Spatial Genitives and the Grammar of Sacred Geometry

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Biblical Greek
Καὶ μετρήσεις ἔξω τῆς πόλεως τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς ἀνατολὰς δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς λίβα δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς θάλασσαν δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ τὸ κλίτος τὸ πρὸς βορρᾶν δισχιλίους πήχεις καὶ ἡ πόλις μέσον τούτου ἔσται ὑμῖν καὶ τὰ ὅμορα τῶν πόλεων (Numbers 35:5 LXX) The Verse as a Blueprint

Numbers 35:5 LXX records YHWH’s precise instructions for measuring the pasturelands (or suburbs) of the Levitical cities. But beneath its spatial details lies a rich tapestry of directional syntax, adjectival structure, and genitive constructions that reveal a deeply ordered cosmos — one where grammar maps holiness.… Learn Koine Greek

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Near with Lips, Far in Heart: Hypocrisy Exposed in Matthew 15:8 (citing Isaiah 29:13 LXX)

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Biblical Greek
ἐγγίζει μοι λαὸς οὗτος τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν καὶ τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ

Matthew 15:8 presents Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah 29:13 in the Septuagint. The Greek is sharp, poetic, and cutting. It reveals the tension between outward appearance and inner reality, and the structure intensifies the contrast. This verse is not a gentle observation—it’s a prophetic rebuke, wrapped in precise parallelism and dissonance between mouth and heart.

Grammatical Foundations

The opening clause ἐγγίζει μοι λαὸς οὗτος means “This people draws near to me.” The verb ἐγγίζει is present active indicative, 3rd person singular, from ἐγγίζω—to approach or come near.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Golden Bowls and the Weight of Wrath: A Study in Relative Clause Complexity in Revelation 15:7

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar
καὶ ἓν ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων ἔδωκε τοῖς ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις ἑπτὰ φιάλας χρυσᾶς, γεμούσας τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, language becomes a vehicle for divine mystery—layered, symbolic, and often grammatically complex. In Revelation 15:7, we encounter a vivid image of cosmic judgment:

καὶ ἓν ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων ἔδωκε τοῖς ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλοις ἑπτὰ φιάλας χρυσᾶς, γεμούσας τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

“And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of the living God who lives forever and ever.”… Learn Koine Greek

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A Veil Over the Heart: Ongoing Blindness in 2 Corinthians 3:15

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Biblical Greek
ἀλλ’ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἂν ἀναγινώσκεται Μωϋσῆς, κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται

In 2 Corinthians 3:15, Paul continues his powerful contrast between the old and new covenants. The verse evokes a somber image: even today, a veil remains whenever Moses is read. The Greek emphasizes the persistent nature of spiritual blindness and the internal location of the problem—the heart, not just the eyes. The structure is both conditional and durative, showing this is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality.

Grammatical Foundations

The conjunction ἀλλ’ (but) continues a contrast from the previous verses, introducing an exception or qualification. The phrase ἕως σήμερον (“until today”) points to present, continuous time—it’s not just historical, but present reality.… Learn Koine Greek

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Declensions in Testimony: How Case and Pronoun Shape Discipleship in John 15:27

Posted on June 27, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Καὶ ὑμεῖς δὲ μαρτυρεῖτε, ὅτι ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐστε. (John 15:27)

And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me.

The Syntax of Witness and Withness

This verse climaxes Jesus’ teaching on the coming of the Paraclete and the witness of His followers. It moves from mission to identity using a series of declined personal pronouns and prepositional phrases. Though short, the verse is rich with grammatical nuance—linking testimony not just to speech, but to a shared relational history “from the beginning.”

Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ὑμεῖς 2nd person plural personal pronoun, nominative Subject of μαρτυρεῖτε Emphatic due to position and pronoun choice; indicates “you yourselves” ἀρχῆς 1st declension feminine genitive singular noun Genitive object of preposition ἀπό “From the beginning” — temporal genitive defining the witness’s origin ἐμοῦ 1st person singular personal pronoun, genitive Object of preposition μετά “With me” — genitive used after μετά in sense of association Case and Emphasis: The Force of Pronouns

– ὑμεῖς (nominative) is not required grammatically since the verb μαρτυρεῖτε already encodes 2nd person plural.… Learn Koine Greek

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You Shall Rule, Not Be Ruled: Future Verbs and Asymmetry in Divine Promise

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Biblical Greek
ὅτι Κύριος ὁ θεός σου εὐλόγησέν σε ὃν τρόπον ἐλάλησέν σοι καὶ δανιεῖς ἔθνεσιν πολλοῖς σὺ δὲ οὐ δανιῇ καὶ ἄρξεις σὺ ἐθνῶν πολλῶν σοῦ δὲ οὐκ ἄρξουσιν (Deuteronomy 15:6 LXX) The Architecture of a Blessing

Deuteronomy 15:6 LXX offers a covenantal vision of Israel’s future — not merely of abundance, but of sovereignty and freedom from dependence. This promise is embedded in a rich network of future indicative verbs, personal pronouns, and sharp syntactic asymmetries that reveal the nature of divine favor.

This verse is not only eschatological in content, but also predictive in form: nearly every key clause uses the future tense, projecting a vision of Israel’s destiny in grammatical time.… Learn Koine Greek

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When Commandments Collide: Conditional Clauses, Subjunctives, and Irony in Legal Justification

Posted on June 5, 2015 by New Testament Greek
ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· ὃς ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί, δῶρον ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς, καὶ οὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ· (Matthew 15:5–6a) The Traditions That Undermine the Law

In this striking rebuke, Jesus exposes the religious leaders’ distortion of divine commandments through their man-made traditions. The Greek syntax mirrors this distortion with sharp contrast and layered conditional grammar. Through conditional clauses, subjunctive verbs, and a future denial, Jesus reveals how tradition can be used to nullify the clear command to honor one’s parents.

Let us explore how the grammar communicates this theological irony.… Learn Koine Greek

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Council and Consensus: Grammatical Coordination and Ecclesial Deliberation in Acts 15:6

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Biblical Greek
Gathered to Decide: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 15:6

Acts 15:6 — Συνήχθησαν δὲ οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἰδεῖν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου. (“And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.”)

This verse introduces the deliberative moment of the so-called Jerusalem Council, where the early church convenes to address the question of Gentile inclusion and the necessity of circumcision. The narrative of Acts 15 is central to Luke’s portrayal of ecclesial unity, apostolic authority, and Spirit-guided decision-making. Acts 15:6 captures the solemnity and collaborative nature of the gathering through its grammatical structure, particularly the compound subject, the aorist passive verb συνήχθησαν, and the purpose infinitive ἰδεῖν.… Learn Koine Greek

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