Tag Archives: John 3:16

Greek Grammar Lesson from John 3:16

Posted on March 16, 2025 by New Testament Greek
Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ’ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. (John 3:16)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Focus Topic: The ἵνα-Clause and the Subjunctive Mood

This verse presents a powerful example of the use of ἵνα introducing a purpose/result clause followed by two verbs in the subjunctive mood. This structure is both grammatically elegant and theologically rich.

Explanation of the Subjunctive Mood

In Koine Greek, the subjunctive mood expresses possibility, intention, or result.… Learn Koine Greek

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Comparative Greek Analysis: John 3:16 in Koine vs. Classical Greek

Posted on March 16, 2016 by New Testament Greek
John 3:16

Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται, ἀλλ’ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

Literal English Translation

For in this way God loved the world, so that He gave His only-begotten Son, in order that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but should have eternal life.

Grammar and Syntax Analysis (Koine Greek) Οὕτω γὰρ – The adverb οὕτω (“in this way”) is emphatic and points forward to the following clause. The particle γάρ introduces an explanatory statement, common in both Koine and Classical. The phrase as a whole conveys cause and manner: “For in this way…” ἠγάπησεν – Aorist active indicative of ἀγαπάω, 3rd person singular.… Learn Koine Greek
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