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

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar
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

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar
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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Cutting the Word Straight: The Exegete Before God

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Exegesis & Hermeneutics
Σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker without shame, rightly handling the word of truth.

Exegetical Analysis

The verse begins with the imperative σπούδασον, a second person aorist active imperative of σπουδάζω, meaning “make every effort” or “be zealous.” This imperative evokes an urgency and intentionality in the command. It is not casual advice but a charged directive to exert one’s full diligence. The object σεαυτὸν (“yourself”) places responsibility squarely on the reader—here, Timothy—to take personal ownership of preparation. The following infinitival clause, δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, reveals the purpose: to “present yourself approved to God.”… Learn Koine Greek

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

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Advanced Greek Grammar
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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