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

Posted on January 3, 2020 by New Testament Greek
Ἐφανέρωσε δὲ καιροῖς ἰδίοις τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ ἐν κηρύγματι ὃ ἐπιστεύθην ἐγὼ κατ’ ἐπιταγὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ, (Titus 1:3)

But he revealed his word at the proper times through preaching, with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior.

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

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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Grammatical Incarnation: How Syntax Bears Divine Meaning in John 1:1

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Greek Insights
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος. (John 1:1)

This verse isn’t just theology expressed in Greek—it’s theology through Greek. Every grammatical choice becomes a theological statement. Let’s dissect three linguistic miracles that shape this doctrinal foundation.

Three Pillars of Sacred Grammar 1. The Definite Article as Theological Marker: ὁ λόγος

The article ὁ transforms λόγος from abstract concept to divine person. Compare:

Construction Grammar Function Christological Impact ὁ λόγος Identifiable subject Personal, knowable Word λόγος (hypothetical anarthrous) Indefinite/conceptual Would imply impersonal force 2. ἦν: The Imperfect Tense as Eternity’s Verb

The threefold ἦν (imperfect of εἰμί) creates a grammatical trinity:

Aspect: Continuous action (no beginning/end) Theological Code: Echoes John 8:58’s divine claim “Before Abraham was, I AM” (πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγώ εἰμι) Contrast: Compare with aorist ἐγένετο in John 1:14 for incarnation 3.… Learn Koine Greek
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Three Kinds of Eunuchs: Greek Grammar and the Call to the Kingdom

Posted on December 19, 2019 by New Testament Greek
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 (Matthew 19:12)

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.

This verse from Jesus’ response to his disciples reveals a deeply layered teaching about singleness, sacrifice, and the kingdom of heaven.… Learn Koine Greek

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

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Classical Greek
Μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν. (Philippians 2:3)

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

1. 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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Iron Sandals and Daily Strength: Nominal Fronting and Poetic Parallelism in Blessing Syntax

Posted on November 30, 2019 by Biblical Greek
Σίδηρος καὶ χαλκὸς τὸ ὑπόδημα αὐτοῦ ἔσται καὶ ὡς αἱ ἡμέραι σου ἡ ἰσχύς σου (Deuteronomy 33:25 LXX) Context and Structure of the Blessing

This verse comes from the blessing of Moses upon the tribes, specifically directed toward Asher (cf. Deut 33:24–25). The Greek rendering is compact but theologically rich, using nominal fronting, copular ellipsis, and poetic symmetry to emphasize security and sustained strength.

The verse contains two parallel statements, joined by καὶ:

σίδηρος καὶ χαλκὸς τὸ ὑπόδημα αὐτοῦ ἔσται ὡς αἱ ἡμέραι σου ἡ ἰσχύς σου

Let’s examine the grammatical beauty of each clause.

Clause 1: σίδηρος καὶ χαλκὸς τὸ ὑπόδημα αὐτοῦ ἔσται Word Order and Emphasis The predicate nominatives σίδηρος καὶ χαλκός (“iron and bronze”) are fronted, placed before the subject.… Learn Koine Greek
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Power from Above: Divine Sovereignty and Moral Responsibility in John 19:11

Posted on November 1, 2019 by New Testament Greek

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

Posted on October 30, 2019 by New Testament Greek

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

Posted on October 29, 2019 by New Testament Greek

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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The Guarded Law: Prohibitions, Aspect, and Compound Expressions in Leviticus 19:19 LXX

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Biblical Greek
Τὸν νόμον μου φυλάξεσθε τὰ κτήνη σου οὐ κατοχεύσεις ἑτεροζύγῳ καὶ τὸν ἀμπελῶνά σου οὐ κατασπερεῖς διάφορον καὶ ἱμάτιον ἐκ δύο ὑφασμένον κίβδηλον οὐκ ἐπιβαλεῖς σεαυτῷ (Leviticus 19:19 LXX)

You shall keep my law; your cattle you shall not mate with one of a different kind, and your vineyard you shall not sow with mixed seed, and a garment woven from two kinds of material, false, you shall not put upon yourself.

One Law, Three Prohibitions

This verse presents a triad of prohibitions bound together under the imperative to keep God’s law. Each clause carries its own verb of prohibition, and the sequence shifts between future indicative forms with prohibitive force and participial descriptors.… Learn Koine Greek

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When Two Sound as One: Conditional Prayer and the Grammar of Agreement

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Greek Insights
Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν δύο ὑμῶν συμφωνήσωσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς περὶ παντὸς πράγματος οὗ ἐὰν αἰτήσωνται, γενήσεται αὐτοῖς παρὰ τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς. (Matthew 18:19)

Again, truly I say to you: if two of you agree on earth concerning any matter whatever they may ask, it will come to pass for them from my Father who is in the heavens.

A Seminar in the Syntax of Prayer (Q&A Style) Q: Why does the sentence begin with Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν?

A: The cluster Πάλιν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν forms a solemn discourse marker: “Truly, I say to you again.”… Learn Koine Greek

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