Greek Grammar Lesson from Romans 12:4

Posted on April 1, 2012 by New Testament Greek
Romans 12:4

καθάπερ γὰρ ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι πολλὰ μέλη ἔχομεν, τὰ δὲ μέλη πάντα οὐ τὴν αὐτὴν ἔχει πρᾶξιν,

Focus Topic: Simile with καθάπερ and Subject-Complement Agreement

This verse introduces a comparison between the physical body and the community of believers. Paul uses καθάπερ to build a parallel, followed by coordinated clauses emphasizing diversity within unity. The grammar expresses both sameness of identity and variety of function.

Simile Introduction: καθάπερ γάρ

καθάπερ (“just as”) introduces a simile or analogy. It sets up a comparison that will be completed in the next verse (Romans 12:5). The particle γάρ provides a logical connection with the previous exhortation (v.3), explaining why humility and sober thinking are necessary — because we are members of one body.… Learn Koine Greek

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Ecclesial Identity and Behavioral Mandate in 1 Timothy 3:15: Syntax and Theology in the Household of the Living God

Posted on March 15, 2012 by New Testament Greek
ἐὰν δὲ βραδύνω, ἵνα εἰδῇς πῶς δεῖ ἐν οἴκῳ Θεοῦ ἀναστρέφεσθαι, ἥτις ἐστὶν ἐκκλησία Θεοῦ ζῶντος, στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας. Conditional Structure: ἐὰν δὲ βραδύνω

– ἐὰν: Conditional particle introducing a third-class condition (likely, but not certain), requiring a subjunctive verb. – δὲ: Mildly contrastive conjunction—”but” or “now.” – βραδύνω: Present active subjunctive, 1st person singular of βραδύνω, “to delay” or “be slow.” – The present subjunctive denotes a possible, indefinite delay. – The clause reads: “But if I delay…” – Sets up the importance of knowing proper conduct even in Paul’s potential absence.

Purpose Clause: ἵνα εἰδῇς πῶς δεῖ ἐν οἴκῳ Θεοῦ ἀναστρέφεσθαι

– ἵνα: Conjunction introducing a purpose clause.… Learn Koine Greek

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Consider Him: The Syntax of Endurance in Hebrews 12:3

Posted on March 12, 2012 by New Testament Greek

Hebrews 12:3 comes immediately after the famous exhortation to “run with endurance the race set before us” while fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–2). The verse continues that call to perseverance by urging the audience to reflect on Christ’s endurance in the face of opposition. This reflection is not merely devotional; it is the antidote to spiritual fatigue. In the structure of the epistle, this verse transitions from Christ’s supreme example to practical encouragement for those tempted to give up.

Structural Analysis

ἀναλογίσασθε γὰρ τὸν τοιαύτην ὑπομεμενηκότα ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν εἰς αὐτὸν ἀντιλογίαν, ἵνα μὴ κάμητε ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι.… Learn Koine Greek

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Buried and Raised with Him: Union with Christ in Colossians 2:12

Posted on February 12, 2012 by New Testament Greek
συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, ἐν ᾧ καὶ συνηγέρθητε διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν

Colossians 2:12 beautifully captures the believer’s deep identification with Christ in death and resurrection. The Greek structure intertwines burial, resurrection, faith, and divine power into a seamless theological statement. It is one of the clearest expressions of baptism’s symbolic and spiritual significance in the New Testament.

Grammatical Foundations

συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι—“Having been buried with him in baptism.” The participle συνταφέντες is aorist passive participle, nominative masculine plural from συνθάπτω—”to be buried together with.” It agrees with the implied subject (“you”) from the larger sentence context.… Learn Koine Greek

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Stability of Mind and Apostolic Warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:2: Greek Syntax of Exhortation and Eschatological Correction

Posted on February 2, 2012 by New Testament Greek
εἰς τὸ μὴ ταχέως σαλευθῆναι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ νοὸς μηδὲ θροεῖσθαι μήτε διὰ πνεύματος μήτε διὰ λόγου μήτε δι’ ἐπιστολῆς ὡς δι’ ἡμῶν, ὡς ὅτι ἐνέστηκεν ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Infinitive Purpose Clause: εἰς τὸ μὴ ταχέως σαλευθῆναι ὑμᾶς

– εἰς τὸ: Preposition εἰς followed by an articular infinitive construction, indicating purpose—”in order that.” – μὴ: Negative particle used with the infinitive—”not.” – ταχέως: Adverb—”quickly,” “hastily.” – σαλευθῆναι: Aorist passive infinitive of σαλεύω, “to be shaken,” “to be disturbed.” – Passive voice suggests an external cause of destabilization. – ὑμᾶς: Accusative plural 2nd person pronoun—”you.” – Translation: “that you not be quickly shaken…”

Prepositional Phrase: ἀπὸ τοῦ νοὸς

– ἀπὸ: Preposition with genitive—”from.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Mutual Glory in Christ: A Theological Doxology from 2 Thessalonians 1:12

Posted on January 12, 2012 by New Testament Greek
ὅπως ἐνδοξασθῇ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν αὐτῷ, κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

In this closing clause of Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians, we encounter one of the most beautifully compact expressions of mutual glorification between Christ and his people. The syntax and vocabulary of the verse draw from rich theological wells—grace, union with Christ, and eschatological hope.

Grammatical Foundations

ὅπως ἐνδοξασθῇ—“in order that (he) may be glorified”

ὅπως—introduces a purpose clause, “so that” or “in order that.” ἐνδοξασθῇ—aorist passive subjunctive, 3rd person singular from ἐνδοξάζω, “be glorified.” The passive form points to divine action: it is God who glorifies Christ in the believers.… Learn Koine Greek
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The Divided I: Party Spirit and Apostolic Allegiance in 1 Corinthians 1:12

Posted on January 4, 2012 by New Testament Greek

1 Corinthians 1:12 expands upon the issue Paul introduces in verse 11 — reports of quarrels among the Corinthian believers. In this verse, he names the source of division: self-identification with different Christian leaders. This seemingly small detail has massive theological and ecclesial implications. As Paul opens his letter to the fractious Corinthian church, he puts his finger on one of the most pervasive spiritual diseases: factionalism under the banner of Christian allegiance.

Structural Analysis

λέγω δὲ τοῦτο, ὅτι ἕκαστος ὑμῶν λέγει· ἐγὼ μέν εἰμι Παύλου, ἐγὼ δὲ Ἀπολλώ, ἐγὼ δὲ Κηφᾶ, ἐγὼ δὲ Χριστοῦ.

Paul begins with the clarifying formula λέγω δὲ τοῦτο — “Now I say this,” which signals that he will spell out the problem he just mentioned.… Learn Koine Greek

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“ὃ προεπηγγείλατο διὰ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτοῦ ἐν γραφαῖς ἁγίαις”: The Fore-Promised Gospel in Romans 1:2

Posted on January 1, 2012 by New Testament Greek
Introduction: A Gospel Long Promised

Romans 1:1–2 begins Paul’s epistle with this phrase:

τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ… ὃ προεπηγγείλατο διὰ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτοῦ ἐν γραφαῖς ἁγίαις “the gospel of God… which He promised beforehand through His prophets in holy scriptures”

This relative clause establishes the continuity between the gospel and the Old Testament. It affirms that the good news was not invented in the New Testament era—it was foretold.

Let’s now analyze this beautifully structured clause from Romans 1:2, which Paul inserts immediately after mentioning “the gospel of God”:

ὃ προεπηγγείλατο διὰ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτοῦ ἐν γραφαῖς ἁγίαις

This relative clause explains how the gospel was not a novelty, but part of God’s long-standing redemptive plan.… Learn Koine Greek

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Future Indicative: Periphrastic Form of The Future

Posted on December 4, 2011 by New Testament Greek

(1) PERIPHRASTIC FORM OF THE FUTURE. A Future tense composed of a Present Participle and the Future of the verb eivmi, is found occasionally in the New Testament. The force is that of a Progressive Future, with the thought of continuance or customariness somewhat emphasized.

Luke 5:10; ἀνθρώπους ἔσῃ ζωγρῶν, thou shalt catch men, i.e. shalt be a catcher of men.

Luke 21:24; Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἔσται πατουμένη, Jerusalem shall [continue to] be trodden under foot.

(2) Μέλλει with the Infinitive is also used with a force akin to that of the Future Indicative. It is usually employed of an action which one intends to do, or of that which is certain, destined to take place.… Learn Koine Greek

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Future Indicative: The Deliberative Future

Posted on December 3, 2011 by New Testament Greek

(1) The Deliberative Future. The Future Indicative is sometimes used in questions of deliberation, asking not what will happen, but what can or ought to be done. Such questions may be real questions asking information, or rhetorical questions taking the place of a direct assertion. Cf. 169 under The Deliberative Subjunctive.

Luke 22:49; εἰ πατάξομεν ἐν μαχαίρῃ, shall we smite with the sword?

John 6:68; Κύριε, πρὸς τίνα ἀπελευσόμεθα, Lord, to whom shall we go?… Learn Koine Greek

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