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

Posted on February 2, 2015 by New Testament Greek
Ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι (1 Timothy 2:2)

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

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Classical Greek
Πᾶν κλῆμα ἐν ἐμοὶ μὴ φέρον καρπόν, αἴρει αὐτό, καὶ πᾶν τὸ καρπὸν φέρον, καθαίρει αὐτὸ, ἵνα πλείονα καρπὸν φέρῃ. (John 15:2)

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.

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

Posted on January 15, 2015 by New Testament Greek
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

Posted on January 15, 2015 by New Testament Greek
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

Posted on January 15, 2015 by New Testament Greek
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

Posted on January 15, 2015 by New Testament Greek
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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“τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι”: Idiom of Appeasement in Mark 15:15

Posted on January 15, 2015 by New Testament Greek
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.

When Justice Bows to Crowd Control

Mark 15:15 opens with a participial phrase describing Pilate’s inner intent: βουλόμενος τῷ ὄχλῳ τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι — “wishing to satisfy the crowd.”

This expression is built around the idiom τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι, literally “to do the sufficient [thing],” or more naturally, “to appease / satisfy.” This polite Greek formulation masks the deeper tension of political expedience, and the grammar expresses Pilate’s willing participation in injustice.… Learn Koine Greek

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Ready to Preach: Apostolic Eagerness in Romans 1:15

Posted on January 1, 2015 by New Testament Greek

Romans 1:15 concludes Paul’s opening expression of longing to visit the believers in Rome (vv. 8–15). After describing his prayers, obligations to all people, and desire to impart a spiritual gift (vv. 11–14), Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel even in Rome — the capital of the empire. This verse serves as a hinge, transitioning from the introduction into the main theological thesis (v. 16).

Structural Analysis

οὕτω τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ εὐαγγελίσασθαι.

The sentence consists of: (1) the adverbial particle οὕτω (“thus/so”), (2) a nominal clause τὸ κατ’ ἐμὲ πρόθυμον — “my readiness” or “what is eager in me,” and (3) an infinitive of purpose εὐαγγελίσασθαι (“to preach the gospel”), with its dative object ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ (“to you in Rome”).… Learn Koine Greek

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Flattery, Framing, and the Grammar of a Trap

Posted on December 14, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Οἱ δὲ ἐλθόντες λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός· οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλ’ ἐπ’ ἀληθείας τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ διδάσκεις. εἶπον οὖν ἡμῖν· ἔξεστι δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ; δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν; (Mark 12:14)

And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and that you do not care about anyone, for you do not look at the face of people, but in truth you teach the way of God. Tell us then, is it lawful to give the poll-tax to Caesar or not? Should we give or not give?”… Learn Koine Greek

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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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