Zeal and Edification: Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 14:12

Posted on December 12, 2014 by New Testament Greek

1 Corinthians 14:12 is part of Paul’s sustained discussion of spiritual gifts (chapters 12–14), with a special focus in chapter 14 on regulating tongues and prophecy in the gathered assembly. The Corinthian believers were enthusiastic for spiritual manifestations, especially tongues. Paul redirects that zeal toward a greater goal — the building up (οἰκοδομή) of the church. This verse functions as a corrective exhortation, blending commendation with redirection.

Structural Analysis

οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.

The sentence unfolds in three parts: (1) οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “So also you” — linking the Corinthians to the prior comparison (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek

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Abounding with Purpose: Spiritual Zeal and Edification in 1 Corinthians 14:12

Posted on December 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε. (1 Corinthians 14:12)

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the building up of the church.

Οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς: Drawing the Reader In

The phrase οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς — “so also you” — connects this verse with the preceding discussion on tongues and prophecy. Paul now turns directly to the Corinthian believers, drawing a logical parallel: just as certain principles apply generally, so too must they apply to you.

This opening sets the tone: Paul is not condemning their spiritual zeal but reshaping its direction.… Learn Koine Greek

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When Trials Work: Greek Verbs in James 1:3

Posted on November 17, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Γινώσκοντες ὅτι τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως κατεργάζεται ὑπομονήν· (James 1:3)

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Two Verbs, One Process

This verse opens with a participle and concludes with a powerful present indicative. These two verbs serve as the scaffolding for understanding the theology of trials in the Epistle of James. Let’s examine them:

γινώσκοντες — present active participle, modifying the subject implicitly (“you know”) κατεργάζεται — present middle/passive indicative, the main verb of the clause Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: γινώσκοντες Lexical Form γινώσκω Tense Present Voice Active Mood Participle Case/Number/Gender Nom. Pl. Masc. Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Continuous awareness; the believers are actively knowing Verb: κατεργάζεται Lexical Form κατεργάζομαι Tense Present Voice Middle/Passive (deponent) Mood Indicative Person & Number 3rd Singular Aspect Imperfective Semantic Force Process-oriented; ongoing production of endurance Why Present Tense in Both Verbs?… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar and Syntactic Analysis of Mark 11:14

Posted on November 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μηκέτι ἐκ σοῦ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μηδεὶς καρπὸν φάγοι. καὶ ἤκουον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ. (Mark 11:14)

And Jesus answered and said to it: Let no one eat fruit from you ever again. And his disciples were listening.

Aorist Participle ἀποκριθεὶς and Narrative Framing

The participle ἀποκριθεὶς (aorist passive participle, nominative masculine singular of ἀποκρίνομαι) introduces a typical Semitic-influenced narrative formula, often found in the Gospels: “And answering, Jesus said…” This construction is grammatically redundant in Greek but stylistically Semitic. It functions adverbially, indicating the manner or circumstance of the main verb εἶπεν.

Although ἀποκριθεὶς is morphologically passive, the verb ἀποκρίνομαι is deponent, meaning it has passive forms but active meaning: “he answered”.… Learn Koine Greek

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Moved with Compassion: Healing the Sick in Matthew 14:14

Posted on October 14, 2014 by New Testament Greek

Matthew 14:14 takes place just after Jesus has withdrawn by boat to a solitary place following the death of John the Baptist. Yet the crowds pursue him on foot from the towns. When Jesus disembarks, he encounters a massive crowd. This verse encapsulates the beginning of his response — not withdrawal or rebuke, but healing motivated by compassion. It prepares the way for the miraculous feeding that follows in verses 15–21.

Structural Analysis

Καὶ ἐξελθὼν εἶδε πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐθεράπευσε τοὺς ἀρρώστους αὐτῶν.

The verse features a sequence of three aorist verbs joined by καί: ἐξελθὼν (“having gone out”), εἶδε (“he saw”), ἐσπλαγχνίσθη (“he was moved with compassion”), and ἐθεράπευσε (“he healed”).… Learn Koine Greek

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“τὰ ἐμὰ… τῶν ἐμῶν”: Possessive Adjectives and Personal Ownership in John 10:14

Posted on October 2, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Language of Possession

Jesus says:

Γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν “I know the things that are mine, and I am known by those who are mine.”

In both clauses, the possessive adjective ἐμός (“mine”) appears in distinct grammatical forms: – τὰ ἐμὰ – accusative neuter plural – τῶν ἐμῶν – genitive masculine (or mixed gender) plural

Though similar in form, each plays a unique role in its clause—and reveals something profound about belonging to Christ.

γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν Morphological Breakdown τὰ ἐμὰ {ta emá} – Form: neuter plural accusative (article + possessive adjective); From: ἐμός, ἐμή, ἐμόν – 1st person singular possessive adjective; Translation: “the things (or ones) that are mine”; Function: Direct object of γινώσκω (“I know”); Notes: Though grammatically neuter, context clearly implies people, not objects—Christ’s sheep.… Learn Koine Greek
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“γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν”: Reciprocal Knowing and Shepherd Identity in John 10:14

Posted on October 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
The Shepherd Who Knows and Is Known

In John 10:14, Jesus states:

Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, καὶ γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν. “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me.”

This verse hinges on two reciprocal clauses: – γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ – “I know those who are mine” – γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν – “I am known by those who are mine”

The parallelism and grammatical symmetry deepen the theological truth: intimacy between Christ and His followers.

Let’s explore the rich grammar and theology of John 10:14, focusing especially on the reciprocal verbs and the identity formula in:

Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, καὶ γινώσκω τὰ ἐμὰ καὶ γινώσκομαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν.… Learn Koine Greek
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Declensions that Distinguish Sight and Life: Grammar at Work in John 14:19

Posted on September 14, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Ἔτι μικρὸν καὶ ὁ κόσμος με οὐκέτι θεωρεῖ, ὑμεῖς δὲ θεωρεῖτέ με, ὅτι ἐγὼ ζῶ καὶ ὑμεῖς ζήσεσθε. (John 14:19)

Yet a little while, and the world no longer sees me; but you see me, because I live and you also will live.

Reading the Line Through Its Declinables

The verse contrasts two communities—ὁ κόσμος and ὑμεῖς—by way of nominative subjects and accusative objects (με) repeated across clauses. Declinable pronouns and the articular noun do the heavy lifting: they mark who sees, who does not, and why the disciples’ perception becomes participation in life.

Declension Analysis Table Greek Form Morphology Case & Syntactic Role Notes ὁ κόσμος 2nd declension, nominative masculine singular with article Subject of θεωρεῖ “The world” as a definite entity; articular nominative marks a corporate subject.… Learn Koine Greek
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When the Crowd Gathers: A Scene Unfolds in Mark 9:14

Posted on September 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς εἶδεν ὄχλον πολὺν περὶ αὐτοὺς, καὶ γραμματεῖς συζητοῦντας αὐτοῖς (Mark 9:14)

And when he came to the disciples, he saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them.

Temporal Action: ἐλθὼν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς

The participle ἐλθὼν is the aorist active participle of ἔρχομαι, meaning “to come” or “to go.” It is nominative masculine singular and refers to Jesus. As an aorist participle, it indicates action prior to the main verb — “after coming” or “when he came.”

The phrase πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς (“to the disciples”) shows the goal of this arrival. This scene follows the Transfiguration, and Jesus is now rejoining the disciples who had remained below.… Learn Koine Greek

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“Voice as Identity: ἡ προβιβασθεῖσα and the Middle Voice in a Dance of Deceit”

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Advanced Greek Grammar
Ἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα ὑπὸ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς, Δός μοι, φησίν, ὧδε ἐπὶ πίνακι τὴν κεφαλὴν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ. (Matthew 14:8)

But having been prompted by her mother, she says, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The Middle Between Motion and Agency

In Matthew 14:8, the narrative tension surrounding Herod’s tragic promise to Salome reaches its chilling climax. The phrase ἡ δὲ προβιβασθεῖσα ὑπὸ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς — “the one having been sent forward by her mother” — introduces Salome at the decisive moment. Yet the verb προβιβάζω, appearing here in the aorist middle participle form προβιβασθεῖσα, raises intriguing syntactic and semantic questions.… Learn Koine Greek

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