Greek Grammar and Syntactical Analysis of Matthew 2:1

Posted on February 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα (Matthew 2:1)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.

Genitive Absolute Construction: Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος

This opening clause is a classic example of the genitive absolute, a syntactic feature where a genitive noun or pronoun and a genitive participle form a phrase independent of the main clause.

– Τοῦ Ἰησοῦ: genitive singular of Ἰησοῦς (Jesus) – γεννηθέντος: aorist passive participle, genitive singular masculine of γεννάω (to be born)

This construction functions temporally: “when Jesus was born”.… Learn Koine Greek

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Participles in Motion: The Rhythmic Flow of Divine Revelation in John 1:14

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Advanced Greek Grammar

We now turn our attention to a verse that stands at the theological and stylistic apex of Johannine literature — John 1:14. This verse, rich in poetic cadence and profound doctrinal weight, presents us with a masterful interplay of verbal aspect and participle function. Our focus will be on the nuanced deployment of the aorist active participle, particularly how it contributes to the dynamic unfolding of the Word’s incarnation.

Καὶ ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρός, πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας The Aorist Active Participle: A Snapshot in Motion

In this passage, we encounter two verbs of transformation: ἐγένετο (“became”) and ἐσκήνωσεν (“dwelt”).… Learn Koine Greek

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Lawfully Used: The Proper Function of the Law in Apostolic Thought

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Exegesis & Hermeneutics
Οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι καλὸς ὁ νόμος, ἐάν τις αὐτῷ νομίμως χρῆται, (1 Timothy 1:8)

But we know that the Law is good, if someone uses it lawfully.

Knowing the Goodness of the Law

In 1 Timothy 1:8, Paul affirms a vital but often neglected truth: ὅτι καλὸς ὁ νόμος — “that the Law is good.” The verb οἴδαμεν (“we know”) is perfect active, indicating not speculative theory but settled conviction. This “we” likely refers to Paul and his apostolic circle, or perhaps all who rightly understand the function of the Mosaic Law within the redemptive narrative. The adjective καλὸς does not merely mean “morally upright,” but also “beautiful,” “beneficial,” and “noble.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Greek Grammar Lesson from John 14:1

Posted on January 1, 2014 by New Testament Greek
Μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία· πιστεύετε εἰς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ εἰς ἐμὲ πιστεύετε. (John 14:1)

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, and believe also in me.

Prohibition with Subjunctive and Ambiguous Indicative-Imperative Parallel

This verse opens Jesus’ farewell discourse with a calm imperative and dual directives for belief. The grammar includes a third-person prohibition with the present subjunctive and two second-person plural present forms that could be read as either imperative or indicative depending on the translation and punctuation.

Prohibition: Μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία

ταρασσέσθω is a present passive imperative, 3rd person singular, from ταράσσω (“to be troubled, stirred up”).… Learn Koine Greek

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1 Corinthians 13:12 and the Greek of Mystery and Revelation

Posted on December 13, 2013 by New Testament Greek
Βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

For now we see through a mirror, in a riddle; but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know, just as I also have been fully known.

Mirror, Riddle, and the Horizon of Knowing βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι The present indicative βλέπομεν (“we see”) frames perception as current and continuous. The preposition δι’ + genitive ἐσόπτρου (“through a mirror”) suggests indirectness. In Classical usage, ἔσοπτρον refers to polished metal surfaces—not the glass mirrors we think of—often with dim or reversed images (cf.… Learn Koine Greek
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Run With Endurance: The Syntax of Perseverance in Hebrews 12:1

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Greek Insights
Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, δι’ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα, (Hebrews 12:1)

Therefore, we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the easily entangling sin, let us run with endurance the race set before us.

Therefore, Let Us Run

Hebrews 12:1 is a call to sustained faithfulness, building on the momentum of the preceding chapter’s “hall of faith.” Yet the force of this verse lies not only in its imagery, but in its syntax—layered participles, present subjunctives, and prepositional phrases that shape the believer’s spiritual posture.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Antichrist’s Arrival: A Grammar of Deception in 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Advanced Greek Grammar
Οὗ ἐστιν ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει καὶ σημείοις καὶ τέρασι ψεύδους

Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood.

In this verse — 2 Thessalonians 2:9 — we encounter a grammatically dense and theologically charged description of the coming of the man of lawlessness, often identified as the Antichrist. Paul’s language is not merely prophetic; it is carefully constructed to convey the spiritual origin, power source, and deceptive nature of this eschatological figure. Our focus will be on the structure of the phrase “ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ”, exploring how prepositional usage, word order, and semantic nuance coalesce to form a vivid theological portrait of counterfeit authority and satanic empowerment.… Learn Koine Greek

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Render What Is Due: Civic Duty in Romans 13:7

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Biblical Greek
Ἀπόδοτε πᾶσι τὰς ὀφειλάς, τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον, τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος, τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον, τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν (Romans 13:7)

Render to all what is owed: to whom tax, tax; to whom toll, toll; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor.

Romans 13:7 continues Paul’s exhortation on submission to governing authorities. The Greek is rhythmic, almost liturgical, repeating both syntax and vocabulary for emphasis. Paul names specific civic and relational obligations, structuring the verse around a pattern of repetition that reflects order and accountability.

Grammatical Foundations

The imperative ἀπόδοτε is aorist active, 2nd person plural, from ἀποδίδωμι, meaning “render,” “give back,” or “pay what is owed.”… Learn Koine Greek

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Worthy of the Call: Purpose Clauses and Divine Enablement in 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Greek Insights
Εἰς ὃ καὶ προσευχόμεθα πάντοτε περὶ ὑμῶν, ἵνα ὑμᾶς ἀξιώσῃ τῆς κλήσεως ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν καὶ πληρώσῃ πᾶσαν εὐδοκίαν ἀγαθωσύνης καὶ ἔργον πίστεως ἐν δυνάμει, (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

To this end we also always pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of the calling and fulfill every good pleasure of goodness and work of faith in power.

Praying Toward God’s Purpose

This verse opens a Pauline prayer marked by hopeful intercession and spiritual intention. Paul’s grammar weaves purpose, desire, and divine agency together with subjunctive verbs, infinitive logic, and abstract nouns that embody virtue. The structure frames a powerful theology: God is the one who makes His people worthy and enables them to act in faith and goodness—with power.… Learn Koine Greek

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The Day of His Glory: Divine Vindication in 2 Thessalonians 1:10

Posted on October 17, 2013 by New Testament Greek

2 Thessalonians 1:10 forms part of Paul’s eschatological encouragement to the persecuted Thessalonian believers (vv. 5–10). The context speaks of divine justice: affliction for the oppressors and relief for the afflicted when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven (v. 7). Verse 10 shifts from judgment to glory — highlighting the revelation of Christ’s majesty “in his saints” and the astonishment he will evoke among all who believed. It is a climactic vision of eschatological hope.

Structural Analysis

ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ καὶ θαυμασθῆναι ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς πιστεύσασιν, ὅτι ἐπιστεύθη τὸ μαρτύριον ἡμῶν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς, ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ.… Learn Koine Greek

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