The Day Will Reveal: Future, Present, and the Grammar of Judgment

Ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει· ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστι τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. (1 Corinthians 3:13)

Each one’s work will become evident: for the day will make it clear, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire will test what sort of work each one has.

Future Revelation, Present Testing

Paul describes the eschatological testing of each person’s work with a striking mixture of future indicatives, present verbs, and a purposeful use of fire as agent. The syntax underscores both the certainty of future unveiling and the ongoing principle of divine testing already at work.… Learn Koine Greek

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Saved Through Fire: Grammatical Nuance and Eschatological Theology in 1 Corinthians 3:15

Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται, αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. (1 Corinthians 3:15)

If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved—yet so as through fire.

Trial by Fire: Literary and Theological Context of 1 Corinthians 3:15

This verse concludes Paul’s architectural metaphor in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, where ministers are likened to builders constructing upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Paul warns that each person’s workmanship will be tested by eschatological fire. Verse 15 pivots on the fate of the builder whose construction does not endure: though the work is destroyed, the person is ultimately saved—but as through fire.… Learn Koine Greek

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Spiritual and Material Exchange: Obligation Grammar in Romans 15:27

Ηὐδόκησαν γὰρ καὶ ὀφειλέται αὐτῶν εἰσιν· εἰ γὰρ τοῖς πνευματικοῖς αὐτῶν ἐκοινώνησαν τὰ ἔθνη, ὀφείλουσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς σαρκικοῖς λειτουργῆσαι αὐτοῖς. (Romans 15:27)

For they were pleased, and they are their debtors; for if the nations shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in material things.

In this verse Paul explains the principle behind the Gentiles’ contribution to the Jerusalem saints. The grammar fuses voluntariness (ηὐδόκησαν) with obligation (ὀφειλέται, ὀφείλουσι), grounding material support in prior spiritual participation. Syntax becomes theology: grace received creates duty to give.

Delight and Obligation: ηὐδόκησαν… ὀφειλέται

ηὐδόκησαν (aorist active indicative of εὐδοκέω, “they were pleased, they approved”) conveys free willingness.… Learn Koine Greek

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Romans 15:2 and the Greek of Edifying Love

Ἕκαστος ἡμῶν τῷ πλησίον ἀρεσκέτω εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς οἰκοδομήν· (Romans 15:2)

Let each of us please his neighbor for the good, for building up.

Exhortation and Syntax of Selflessness ἕκαστος ἡμῶν – “Each of us.” The word ἕκαστος is emphatic and distributive, placing responsibility on every individual. In Classical Greek, it often appears in deliberative or moral contexts, especially in ethical exhortations.

τῷ πλησίον ἀρεσκέτω – “Let him please the neighbor.” The dative τῷ πλησίον (“to the neighbor”) is the object of the verb ἀρεσκέτω, the third person singular present active imperative of ἀρέσκω (“to please”). This verb, especially in Pauline usage, connotes voluntarily accommodating others for their benefit, not flattery.… Learn Koine Greek

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Prayer for Leaders and Peaceable Living: Theological Civics in 1 Timothy 2:2

Ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι

On behalf of kings and all who are in high position, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

1 Timothy 2:2 is part of Paul’s call to intercessory prayer for all people, with particular emphasis on those in positions of political power. The goal is not political dominance, but the cultivation of a quiet, godly life. The Greek structure flows from intercession to result, highlighting the Christian vision for civic peace rooted in piety and dignity.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Vine and the Vinedresser: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of John 15:2

Πᾶν κλῆμα ἐν ἐμοὶ μὴ φέρον καρπόν, αἴρει αὐτό, καὶ πᾶν τὸ καρπὸν φέρον, καθαίρει αὐτὸ, ἵνα πλείονα καρπὸν φέρῃ.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he removes it; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2)

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis πᾶν κλῆμα — Neuter singular: “every branch.” πᾶν modifies κλῆμα (“branch”), metaphorically representing individuals connected to Jesus. ἐν ἐμοὶ — Prepositional phrase with dative: “in me.” Indicates relational union with Christ, a theological motif common in John. μὴ φέρον καρπόν — Negative participial phrase: “not bearing fruit.”… Learn Koine Greek
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“ἵνα σταυρωθῇ”: Divine Passive and Purpose in Mark 15:15

Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)

But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The Purpose of Betrayal

The final words of Mark 15:15 record the intended outcome of Pilate’s decision: ἵνα σταυρωθῇ — “in order that he might be crucified.”

This is a classic ἵνα-clause, which expresses purpose or result, but what stands out is the verb form: σταυρωθῇ, an aorist passive subjunctive. In context, this passive verb is not merely grammatical—it is theological: Jesus is not just crucified by men, but according to the plan of God.… Learn Koine Greek

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“φραγελλώσας”: The Aorist Participle of Brutality and Irony in Mark 15:15

Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)

But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The King’s Coronation Begins in Scourging

Mark 15:15 records Pilate’s final act of surrender to the crowd’s demand: ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. “He released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.”

Here we focus on the participle φραγελλώσας {phragellōsas}, an aorist active participle of φραγελλόω—a loanword from Latin flagellum (whip).… Learn Koine Greek

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“παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν”: The Grammar of Surrender and Judgment in Mark 15:15

Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ.

But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

When the Judge Becomes the Deliverer

Mark 15:15 reports Pilate’s final act: καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας· ἵνα σταυρωθῇ — “And he handed over Jesus, having scourged him, so that he might be crucified.”

The verb παρέδωκε {paredōken} comes from παραδίδωμι, “to hand over,” and it is rich in judicial and theological nuance. It appears in both secular legal texts and biblical prophecy.… Learn Koine Greek

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“ἀπέλυσεν τὸν Βαραββᾶν”: Legal Release and Narrative Irony in Mark 15:15

Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν, καὶ παρέδωκε τὸν Ἰησοῦν φραγελλώσας. ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. (Mark 15:15)

But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The Inversion of Justice

Mark 15:15 includes this concise but pivotal clause: ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Βαραββᾶν — “He released Barabbas to them.”

This clause marks a dramatic reversal: Barabbas, a known insurrectionist (Mark 15:7), is set free, while Yeshuʿ, the innocent one, is delivered to death. The verb ἀπέλυσεν {apelusen} is drawn from legal vocabulary, but in this context it functions with narrative irony and theological gravity.… Learn Koine Greek

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