The True Circumcision: Identity and Worship in Philippians 3:3

Posted on March 3, 2013 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (Philippians 3:3)

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν ἡ περιτομή, οἱ Πνεύματι Θεοῦ λατρεύοντες καὶ καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐν σαρκὶ πεποιθότες

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν ἡ περιτομή: Redefining Covenant Identity

The sentence opens emphatically with ἡμεῖς — “we,” clearly distinguishing Paul and his audience from those he criticizes in the previous verse (the so-called “mutilators of the flesh,” v.2). The verb ἐσμεν (present indicative of εἰμί, “to be”) follows, linking the subject to its surprising predicate: ἡ περιτομή — “the circumcision.”

This bold declaration reframes Jewish covenant identity in spiritual, not physical, terms. It’s not the external sign but the internal transformation that matters.… Learn Koine Greek

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Matthew 2:13 and the Greek of Divine Intervention and Urgency

Posted on February 1, 2013 by New Testament Greek
Matthew 2:13

Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι· μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό.

Literal English Translation

And after they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is about to seek the child to destroy him.”

Grammatical Precision and Narrative Speed Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν Genitive aorist participle of ἀναχωρέω (“to depart, withdraw”).… Learn Koine Greek
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By the Sea: Grammatical Transition and Narrative Framing in Matthew 13:1

Posted on January 13, 2013 by New Testament Greek
Setting for Parables: Literary and Theological Context of Matthew 13:1 Matthew 13:1 — Ἐν δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐξελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῆς οἰκίας ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν· (“On that day, Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.”)

This verse introduces the third major discourse in Matthew’s Gospel—the parable discourse (Matthew 13). With restrained but intentional grammar, Matthew shifts the reader’s attention from the private space of the house to the open expanse of the sea, where Jesus delivers a series of parables to the crowds. The syntax employs participial sequencing, narrative aorists, and spatial prepositions to establish both a physical transition and a theological frame for the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.… Learn Koine Greek

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Greek Grammar Lesson from John 13:1

Posted on January 1, 2013 by New Testament Greek
John 13:1

Πρὸ δὲ τῆς ἑορτῆς τοῦ πάσχα εἰδὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἐλήλυθεν αὐτοῦ ἡ ὥρα ἵνα μεταβῇ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, ἀγαπήσας τοὺς ἰδίους τοὺς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, εἰς τέλος ἠγάπησεν αὐτούς.

Focus Topic: Circumstantial Participle, Content Clause, and Purpose Clause

This verse serves as a theological preamble to the passion narrative in John. The syntax weaves together a temporal phrase, a perfect participle, a content clause, and a climactic indicative verb expressing the fullness of Jesus’ love. The grammar is richly layered and intentionally reflective.

Temporal Phrase: Πρὸ δὲ τῆς ἑορτῆς τοῦ πάσχα

This prepositional phrase introduces the setting: “Before the Feast of the Pesaḥ (Passover).”… Learn Koine Greek

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Faith Among the Honorable: A Greek Look at Acts 17:12

Posted on December 17, 2012 by New Testament Greek
Acts 17:12

πολλοὶ μὲν οὖν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπίστευσαν, καὶ τῶν Ἑλληνίδων γυναικῶν τῶν εὐσχημόνων καὶ ἀνδρῶν οὐκ ὀλίγοι.

So then many of them believed, and also not a few of the noble Greek women and men.

The Response of Faith

πολλοὶ μὲν οὖν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπίστευσαν – “So then many of them believed.”

πολλοὶ – “many,” masculine plural nominative, subject of the verb. μὲν οὖν – a common discourse marker: μὲν signals a contrast to follow; οὖν (“therefore”) links to prior argument or result—here, the result of Paul’s preaching in Beroea (cf. Acts 17:11). ἐξ αὐτῶν – “of them,” referring to the Jews in the synagogue.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Crown of Life: Endurance and the Aorist Reward in James 1:12

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Greek Insights
Μακάριος ἀνὴρ ὃς ὑπομένει πειρασμόν· ὅτι δόκιμος γενόμενος λήψεται τὸν στέφανον τῆς ζωῆς, ὃν ἐπηγγείλατο ὁ Κύριος τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν αὐτόν. Blessing for Those Who Endure

James 1:12 delivers a beatitude not for the comfortable, but for the tested. The structure of this verse is shaped around one central figure: the one who ὑπομένει πειρασμόν—“endures testing.” The reward is stunning: the στέφανος τῆς ζωῆς, “the crown of life,” a metaphor for eternal reward. But this promise unfolds through grammatical nuance, where participial timing, future certainty, and verbal agreement reveal that endurance is not the cause of salvation, but its hallmark and evidence.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Sign Refused: Divine Grief and Human Unbelief in Mark 8:12

Posted on December 8, 2012 by New Testament Greek

Mark 8:12 is located in a section where the Pharisees confront Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven to test him (Mark 8:11). The verse you provided is Jesus’ deeply emotional and solemn response. This marks a turning point in the narrative as Jesus increasingly distances himself from those demanding proof and moves toward his passion. His refusal to give a sign is both judgment and lament.

Structural Analysis

καὶ ἀναστενάξας τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ λέγει· τί ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ; ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, εἰ δοθήσεται τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ σημεῖον.

The verse flows in three movements:

ἀναστενάξας τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ — an inner groaning of grief or exasperation.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Fiery Dragon Appears: A Greek Look at Revelation 12:3

Posted on December 3, 2012 by New Testament Greek
Revelation 12:3 καὶ ὤφθη ἄλλο σημεῖον ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἰδοὺ δράκων πυρρὸς μέγας, ἔχων κεφαλὰς ἑπτὰ καὶ κέρατα δέκα, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτοῦ ἑπτὰ διαδήματα,

And another sign was seen in heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.

A Sign in the Sky

καὶ ὤφθη ἄλλο σημεῖον ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ – “And another sign appeared in heaven.”

ὤφθη – aorist passive of ὁράω, “to see,” meaning “was seen” or “appeared.” A divine, visionary passive. ἄλλο σημεῖον – “another sign.” σημεῖον refers to a symbolic vision, not a literal entity.… Learn Koine Greek
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Visions and Revelations: A Costly Boast in 2 Corinthians 12:1

Posted on December 1, 2012 by New Testament Greek
The Verse in Focus (2 Corinthians 12:1)

Καυχᾶσθαι δὴ οὐ συμφέρει μοι· ἐλεύσομαι γὰρ εἰς ὀπτασίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψεις Κυρίου

Καυχᾶσθαι δὴ οὐ συμφέρει μοι: Boasting Is Not Profitable

The opening clause is a powerful mix of honesty and irony:

– Καυχᾶσθαι is the present middle infinitive of καυχάομαι, meaning “to boast” or “to glory.” – δὴ is a particle that adds emphasis or urgency — “indeed,” “certainly,” or “now.” – οὐ συμφέρει is a present active indicative of συμφέρω, “it is beneficial,” here negated — “it is not profitable.” – μοι is dative singular — “to me.”

This clause literally reads: “To boast indeed is not beneficial for me.”… Learn Koine Greek

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“παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν;”: Quoted Marvel and Divine Origin in Mark 12:11

Posted on November 1, 2012 by New Testament Greek

Mark 12:11 quotes Psalm 118:23 (LXX) but in a distinctly Markan narrative context, applied by Jesus to His rejection and vindication. This line forms part of Jesus’ quotation following the parable of the vineyard, where He applies the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone to Himself. The Greek construction here captures divine initiative, completed action, and perceptual astonishment—with grammatical precision.

Introduction: Quoting the Cornerstone

In Mark 12:11, Jesus concludes His citation of Psalm 118:22–23 with these words:

παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν; “From the Lord this came to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes?”

Here, Jesus reinforces that the unexpected exaltation of the rejected one (Himself) is entirely God’s work.… Learn Koine Greek

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