This verse captures Paul’s ethical intensity and rhetorical genius. He does not simply express a desire for the Corinthians to avoid evil; he prays for it (εὔχομαι), not for his own vindication, but for their moral excellence—even if it means appearing unapproved himself.
Grammatically, the verse hinges on final clauses introduced by ἵνα, purposefully shaping the logic of Paul’s prayer. Each verb form and clause bears the weight of ethical and theological tension.… Learn Koine Greek
In 2 Corinthians 3:15, Paul continues his powerful contrast between the old and new covenants. The verse evokes a somber image: even today, a veil remains whenever Moses is read. The Greek emphasizes the persistent nature of spiritual blindness and the internal location of the problem—the heart, not just the eyes. The structure is both conditional and durative, showing this is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality.
Grammatical FoundationsThe conjunction ἀλλ’ (but) continues a contrast from the previous verses, introducing an exception or qualification. The phrase ἕως σήμερον (“until today”) points to present, continuous time—it’s not just historical, but present reality.… Learn Koine Greek
And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me.
The Syntax of Witness and WithnessThis verse climaxes Jesus’ teaching on the coming of the Paraclete and the witness of His followers. It moves from mission to identity using a series of declined personal pronouns and prepositional phrases. Though short, the verse is rich with grammatical nuance—linking testimony not just to speech, but to a shared relational history “from the beginning.”
Declension Analysis Table Greek Word Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ὑμεῖς 2nd person plural personal pronoun, nominative Subject of μαρτυρεῖτε Emphatic due to position and pronoun choice; indicates “you yourselves” ἀρχῆς 1st declension feminine genitive singular noun Genitive object of preposition ἀπό “From the beginning” — temporal genitive defining the witness’s origin ἐμοῦ 1st person singular personal pronoun, genitive Object of preposition μετά “With me” — genitive used after μετά in sense of association Case and Emphasis: The Force of Pronouns– ὑμεῖς (nominative) is not required grammatically since the verb μαρτυρεῖτε already encodes 2nd person plural.… Learn Koine Greek
Deuteronomy 15:6 LXX offers a covenantal vision of Israel’s future — not merely of abundance, but of sovereignty and freedom from dependence. This promise is embedded in a rich network of future indicative verbs, personal pronouns, and sharp syntactic asymmetries that reveal the nature of divine favor.
This verse is not only eschatological in content, but also predictive in form: nearly every key clause uses the future tense, projecting a vision of Israel’s destiny in grammatical time.… Learn Koine Greek
In this striking rebuke, Jesus exposes the religious leaders’ distortion of divine commandments through their man-made traditions. The Greek syntax mirrors this distortion with sharp contrast and layered conditional grammar. Through conditional clauses, subjunctive verbs, and a future denial, Jesus reveals how tradition can be used to nullify the clear command to honor one’s parents.
Let us explore how the grammar communicates this theological irony.… Learn Koine Greek
Acts 15:6 — Συνήχθησαν δὲ οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἰδεῖν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου. (“And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.”)
This verse introduces the deliberative moment of the so-called Jerusalem Council, where the early church convenes to address the question of Gentile inclusion and the necessity of circumcision. The narrative of Acts 15 is central to Luke’s portrayal of ecclesial unity, apostolic authority, and Spirit-guided decision-making. Acts 15:6 captures the solemnity and collaborative nature of the gathering through its grammatical structure, particularly the compound subject, the aorist passive verb συνήχθησαν, and the purpose infinitive ἰδεῖν.… Learn Koine Greek
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 Greekκαὶ 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 TransitionsThis 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 & συλλυπούμενοςBoth 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– 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
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… προεγράφηThe verse begins with the neuter plural relative pronoun ὅσα (“whatever things”), casting a wide net over the whole body of Scripture.… Learn Koine Greek
Success Mindset