Rising in Opposition: A Grammar Reflection on Acts 15:5

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Νέα Ελληνικά
Ἐξανέστησαν δέ τινες τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς αἱρέσεως τῶν Φαρισαίων πεπιστευκότες, λέγοντες ὅτι δεῖ περιτέμνειν αὐτοὺς παραγγέλλειν τε τηρεῖν τὸν νόμον Μωϋσέως. (Acts 15:5)

Modern Greek Pronunciation: Exanésti̱san dé tines tōn apó ti̱s hairéseōs tōn Pharisaíōn pepistefkótes, légontes óti deí peritémnein aftoús, parangéllin te ti̱reín ton nómon Moïséōs.

Literal English Translation: But some from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed rose up, saying that it is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Koine Greek Morphological Analysis Ἐξανέστησαν – aorist active indicative 3rd plural of ἐξανίστημι, “they rose up.” δέ – contrastive particle, “but.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar Lesson from Mark 3:5

Posted on May 3, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Mark 3:5

καὶ περιβλεψάμενος αὐτοὺς μετ’ ὀργῆς, συλλυπούμενος ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, λέγει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ· Ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου. καὶ ἐξέτεινε, καὶ ἀποκατεστάθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ὑγιὴς ὡς ἡ ἄλλη.

Focus Topic: Participle Chains and Imperative/Indicative Transitions

This verse offers a rich display of Greek participial chaining, emotional expression through datives and prepositions, and a vivid imperative followed by sequential narrative aorists. The syntax captures both Jesus’ emotional state and the dramatic restoration of the man’s hand.

Attendant Participles: περιβλεψάμενος & συλλυπούμενος

Both verbs are participles modifying the implied subject (Jesus), providing background to the main action λέγει (“he says”):

Participle Form Meaning Function περιβλεψάμενος Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular “having looked around at them” Temporal/background action συλλυπούμενος Present middle participle, nominative masculine singular “being deeply grieved” Contemporaneous emotional state Prepositional Emotions: μετ’ ὀργῆς & ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει μετ’ ὀργῆς — “with anger”: expresses the emotional context of Jesus’ glance.… Learn Koine Greek
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Submission, Humility, and Divine Favor in 1 Peter 5:5: Participial Structure and Ethical Reciprocity in Koine Greek

Posted on May 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις, πάντες δὲ ἀλλήλοις ὑποτασσόμενοι τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε· ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσι χάριν. Imperative Address to the Young: Ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις

– Ὁμοίως: Adverb meaning “likewise” or “in the same way.” – Indicates continuity with previous exhortations to elders (1 Peter 5:1–4). – νεώτεροι: Nominative plural masculine adjective used substantivally—”you who are younger.” – Addresses younger men or younger members of the church. – ὑποτάγητε: Aorist passive imperative, 2nd person plural of ὑποτάσσω, “to submit” or “to subject oneself.” – The passive voice has a reflexive nuance here—”be subject.” – πρεσβυτέροις: Dative plural masculine of πρεσβύτερος, “elders.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Written for Our Instruction: Purpose Clauses and the Function of Scripture in Romans 15:4

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar
Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. (Romans 15:4)

For whatever was written beforehand was written for our instruction, so that through the endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Paul compresses theology and pastoral encouragement into tightly ordered syntax. By repeating the same verb, employing a purpose clause, and highlighting key virtues, this verse outlines how the Scriptures serve as a wellspring of endurance, encouragement, and hope.

Relative Clause with Emphasis: ὅσα… προεγράφη

The verse begins with the neuter plural relative pronoun ὅσα (“whatever things”), casting a wide net over the whole body of Scripture.… Learn Koine Greek

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Fellowship in Giving: Context of Philippians 4:15

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar

Philippians 4:15 stands as a testament to the unique bond between the Apostle Paul and the church at Philippi. In this verse, Paul recalls how the Philippians were the only community to support him financially when he first set out from their region. Rather than a mere thank-you note, the passage serves as a profound reflection on partnership in the gospel0. Paul’s language is warm and theologically rich, illustrating that their monetary gift was not just charity but an expression of κοινωνία – fellowship and mutual participation in ministry. The very grammar of the sentence reinforces the Philippians’ singular devotion and Paul’s gratitude.… Learn Koine Greek

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“ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει”: Compound Present Indicatives of Growth in John 4:1

Posted on April 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.

A Ministry in Motion

At the center of the Pharisees’ concern in John 4:1 is the report that: Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει — “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples.”

The Greek here uses two coordinated present active indicative verbs to convey ongoing ministry activity. This compound structure emphasizes both personal transformation (discipling) and ritual action (baptizing)—both of which fuel Yeshuʿ’s increasing influence.… Learn Koine Greek

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“ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι”: Aorist Perception and Reported Knowledge in John 4:1

Posted on April 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.

Who Heard—and What That Meant

In John 4:1, a nested series of clauses brings us to the moment of narrative tension: Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι… “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…”

The clause ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι contains a simple subject-verb construction in the aorist, but it functions as a pivotal narrative report. Theologically, it shows how perception of influence triggers action; grammatically, it reflects a classic example of indirect discourse embedded within another clause.… Learn Koine Greek

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“πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ… ἢ Ἰωάννης”: The Grammar of Growth and Comparison in John 4:1

Posted on April 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.

When the Crowd Begins to Shift

John 4:1 opens with a report of what the Pharisees have heard: “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.” This comparative construction—πλείονας μαθητὰς… ἢ Ἰωάννης—carries both grammatical precision and narrative tension. The focus of this lesson is the adjective πλείονας, the comparative form of πολύς (“many”), and its function in building a theological contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist.… Learn Koine Greek

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“Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος…”: Aorist Knowing and Temporal Sequence in John 4:1

Posted on April 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης· (John 4:1)

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John.

The Moment Jesus Knew

John 4:1 begins with a simple yet weighty statement: “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…” The verb ἔγνω (“he knew”) governs the entire clause. It is not just a past action—it is a grammatical hinge that conveys divine awareness and decisive movement. The use of ὡς οὖν (“therefore when”) introduces both a cause-effect link and temporal flow, setting the stage for Jesus’ departure from Judea.… Learn Koine Greek

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Final Greetings in Faith and Grace (Titus 3:15)

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Classical Greek
Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ’ ἐμοῦ πάντες. ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. Ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν· ἀμήν. (Titus 3:15)

All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

This closing verse blends personal affection with communal benediction. It emphasizes Christian fellowship and shared loyalty “in faith,” sealing the letter with a wish for grace and unity.

Koine Greek Breakdown

The sentence structure is simple yet rich in relational language, featuring middle-passive verbs, dative constructions, and an elegant benediction formula.

Present Middle/Passive Indicative: Ἀσπάζονται — “they greet” (reflexive and social in tone) Imperative Middle: ἄσπασαι — “greet!”… Learn Koine Greek
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