A Charge to Archippus: Faithfulness in Ministry in Colossians 4:17

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Greek Insights
Καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ· βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν κυρίῳ, ἵνα αὐτὴν πληροῖς (Colossians 4:17)

And say to Archippus: Watch over the ministry which you received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it.

Colossians 4:17 delivers a solemn and direct exhortation to Archippus, likely a leader in the local church. The Greek structure is personal and urgent, combining careful attention with a call to complete what God entrusted. It reflects the seriousness of Christian ministry and communal encouragement.

Grammatical Foundations

καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ—“And say to Archippus.”

εἴπατε—aorist active imperative, 2nd person plural from λέγω, “say.” The plural form suggests the whole congregation is to be involved in the exhortation.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Lamb Will Conquer: Sovereignty and Victory in Revelation 17:14

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Greek Insights
Οὗτοι μετὰ τοῦ ἀρνίου πολεμήσουσι, καὶ τὸ ἀρνίον νικήσει αὐτούς, ὅτι κύριος κυρίων ἐστὶ καὶ βασιλεὺς βασιλέων, καὶ οἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ κλητοὶ καὶ ἐκλεκτοὶ καὶ πιστοί (Revelation 17:14)

These will wage war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.

This triumphant declaration in Revelation 17:14 marks the decisive victory of the Lamb over the hostile powers of the world. The Greek uses future verbs, theological titles, and a trifold description of the Lamb’s companions to portray not only the outcome of the battle but also the reason behind it—his unmatched authority.… Learn Koine Greek

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Strength Through Him: Present Tense and Empowered Endurance in Philippians 4:13

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Greek Insights
Πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ. (Philippians 4:13)

I am able for all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Strength in the Present Tense

Philippians 4:13 is often quoted but rarely studied with precision. Its grammar reveals a quiet, ongoing strength—not one of bravado or spiritual self-sufficiency, but of present, continuous empowerment. Paul does not speak of sudden miracles or overwhelming force. The verb ἰσχύω and the participle ἐνδυναμοῦντι form a grammatical partnership that underlines steady, God-given resilience. This verse teaches that Christ is not merely a source of strength—He is the one actively strengthening in every moment.

Grammatical Focus: Present Tense and Instrumental ἐν with a Participial Phrase

The core structure is: πάντα ἰσχύω (“I have strength for all things”) followed by the instrumental phrase ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ—“through the one strengthening me, Christ.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Δὲ καὶ differs from καὶ δέ : A Syntactic and Semantic Investigation

Posted on March 24, 2017 by New Testament Greek

Δὲ καὶ differs from καὶ δέ. In the latter, καὶ connects the whole member following it with what precedes; in the former καὶ, being augmentative or exaggerative, influence only the word immediately construed with it, and δὲ shows more evidently its relative sense without any ellipsis.

(Hendrik Hoogeveen)

In the study of Koine Greek syntax and discourse markers, the nuanced differences between Δὲ καὶ and καὶ δέ hold significant implications for accurate interpretation, especially in the analysis of Biblical texts and classical literature. As noted by Hendrik Hoogeveen, an 18th-century philologist renowned for his work on Greek particles, these constructions, though superficially similar, perform distinct syntactic and rhetorical functions.… Learn Koine Greek

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Strengthened in Every Good Work: Classical and Koine Grammar in 2 Thessalonians 2:17

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Classical Greek
Παρακαλέσαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας καὶ στηρίξαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ λόγῳ καὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ. (2 Thessalonians 2:17)

To encourage your hearts and to strengthen you in every good word and deed.

1. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek παρακαλέσαι: Aorist active infinitive of παρακαλέω (“to encourage, comfort”). Koine frequently uses the aorist infinitive to express purpose or result, often following verbs of will, prayer, or petition—even if ellipted, as here. ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας: Possessive genitive ὑμῶν (“your”) modifying the direct object τὰς καρδίας (“the hearts”). Koine preserves Classical genitive usage for possession but simplifies placement—frequently allowing pre-positioned possessives like this. καὶ στηρίξαι: Coordinated infinitive (aorist active of στηρίζω, “to strengthen”).… Learn Koine Greek
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Faith Forsaken of Works: The Syntax of Spiritual Lifelessness in James 2:17

Posted on February 17, 2017 by New Testament Greek

James 2:17 sits at the center of a pointed theological argument. James is countering the notion of a faith that exists apart from demonstrable obedience. From verses 14 to 26, he repeatedly contrasts professed belief with the necessity of active love. This verse crystallizes the epistle’s thesis: πίστις without ἔργα is not merely inadequate — it is νεκρά, dead.

Structural Analysis

The syntax is deliberately emphatic:

οὕτω καὶ ἡ πίστις, ἐὰν μὴ ἔργα ἔχῃ, νεκρά ἐστι καθ’ ἑαυτήν.

The phrase οὕτω καὶ (“so also”) links this assertion to the preceding analogy (2:15–16), where empty words fail to clothe or feed the needy.… Learn Koine Greek

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A Pattern of Good Works: Grammatical Framing and Pastoral Authority in Titus 2:7

Posted on February 7, 2017 by New Testament Greek
Περὶ πάντα σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος τύπον καλῶν ἔργων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, ἀδιαφθορίαν, σεμνότητα, ἀφθαρσίαν, (Titus 2:7)

In all things showing yourself as a model of good works—in your teaching: incorruptibility, dignity, and soundness.

Embodied Example: Literary and Theological Context of Titus 2:7

This verse appears within Paul’s exhortation to Titus to instruct various groups in sound doctrine and godly behavior. Here Paul shifts from instructions to others and focuses directly on Titus, urging him to embody what he teaches. The Greek grammar—particularly the participial structure, prepositional phrase, and appositional modifiers—emphasizes not only the content of Titus’s teaching but the visible example of his life.… Learn Koine Greek

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Routes of Revelation: Compound Verbs and Syntactic Contrast in Galatians 1:17

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Paul’s autobiographical defense in Galatians 1 is more than a travelogue — it is a theological roadmap. In οὐδὲ ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀποστόλους, ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν, καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς Δαμασκόν (Galatians 1:17), Paul uses a string of directional compound verbs and adversative conjunctions to assert the independence of his apostolic calling. Every verb carries theological freight: he did not go up, but went away — not to the apostles, but to Arabia. The syntax doesn’t merely recount events; it dislocates human authority from his gospel commission.

Morphological Breakdown οὐδὲ – Root: οὐδέ Form: coordinating negative conjunction Lexical Meaning: “not even,” “nor” Contextual Notes: Strong negation, extending the previous statement — Paul neither consulted humans nor even went to Jerusalem.… Learn Koine Greek
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Grammatical Evolution from Koine to Modern Greek: A Focused Analysis of Matthew 17:22

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Νέα Ελληνικά
Ἀναστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων (Matthew 17:22)

Modern Greek Transliteration: AnastrefoMÉnon dé aftÓN is tin GalilÉan Ípen aftÍs o IisoÚs; MÉlli o yiÓs tou anthRÓpou paradÍthosthe is chÍras anthRÓpon

Literal English Translation: While they were returning into Galilee, Jesus said to them: “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”

Morphological Analysis (Koine) Ἀναστρεφομένων – Form: Present middle/passive participle genitive masculine plural; Root: ἀναστρέφω; Gloss: returning; Parsing: participial genitive absolute; Notes: functions in a genitive absolute construction; common in narrative transition.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Grammar of Offense: Declensions Driving the Dialogue in Matthew 15:12

Posted on December 15, 2016 by New Testament Greek
Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ εἶπον αὐτῷ· οἶδας ὅτι οἱ Φαρισαῖοι ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον; (Matthew 15:12)

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard the statement?”

Spotlight on the Declinables

In this verse, the declinable nouns and pronouns carry the relational and rhetorical weight—marking who approaches, who speaks, who hears, and who takes offense.

Declension Analysis Table Greek Form Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes οἱ μαθηταί 1st declension masculine plural with article Nominative plural subject of εἶπον Definite article signals a known, defined group: “the disciples.” αὐτοῦ 3rd person pronoun, genitive masculine singular Possessive modifier of μαθηταί Specifies whose disciples; genitive of possession.… Learn Koine Greek
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