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Greek Lessons
- The Ark at Ararat: Resting on the 27th Day
- Compassion on the Road: Feeding the Fainthearted (Mark 8:3)
- The Law That Sets Free: A Grammar of Liberation in Romans 8:2
- Moved to Speak: Temporal Setting and Genitive Absolute in Mark 8:1
- The Hour Had Not Yet Come: Divine Timing and Aorist Action in John 7:30
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Category
Tag Archives: 2 Corinthians 5:4
Longing for Life to Swallow Death: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of 2 Corinthians 5:4
καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν, βαρούμενοι ἐφ’ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς. (2 Corinthians 5:4)
For indeed, we who are in the tent groan, being burdened—not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed over, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis καὶ γὰρ — Coordinating and explanatory particles. γάρ introduces a reason or clarification; καὶ intensifies: “for indeed” or “for even.” οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει — Articular present participle, nominative masculine plural: “those being in the tent.”… Learn Koine GreekGroaning in the Tent: Verbal Tensions in 2 Corinthians 5:4
καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν, βαρούμενοι ἐφ’ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς. (2 Corinthians 5:4)
For indeed we who are in the tent groan, being burdened—not that we want to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Six Verbs of Mortal LongingThis densely packed verse describes the Christian’s yearning for resurrection glory through six Greek verbs. They capture existential pressure, hope, and eschatological transformation. These verbs are:
ὄντες — present participle, “being” στενάζομεν — present indicative, “we groan” βαρούμενοι — present participle, “being burdened” θέλομεν — present indicative, “we want” (with a negation) ἐκδύσασθαι — aorist middle infinitive, “to be unclothed” ἐπενδύσασθαι — aorist middle infinitive, “to be clothed over” καταποθῇ — aorist passive subjunctive, “might be swallowed up” Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs Verb: ὄντες Lexical Form εἰμί Tense Present Voice Active Mood Participle Case/Number/Gender Nom.… Learn Koine Greek