Tag Archives: Romans 8:16

The Witness Within: Spirit and Identity in Paul’s Koine Expression

Posted on August 16, 2025 by Classical Greek
Αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα συμμαρτυρεῖ τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐσμὲν τέκνα Θεοῦ. (Romans 8:16)

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα: Neuter nominative singular with the emphatic αὐτό preceding the article and noun. The structure stresses the subject: “the Spirit itself.” συμμαρτυρεῖ: Present active indicative 3rd singular of συμμαρτυρέω, “to bear witness with.” The compound prefix σύν underscores joint testimony, conveying cooperation between divine and human witness. τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν: Dative singular with possessive genitive pronoun. Marks the indirect object of συμμαρτυρεῖ — “with our spirit.” This reflects an internal corroboration.… Learn Koine Greek
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Greek Grammar Lesson from Romans 8:16

Posted on August 16, 2016 by New Testament Greek
Αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα συμμαρτυρεῖ τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐσμὲν τέκνα Θεοῦ. (Romans 8:16)

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Dative of Association and Content Clause with ὅτι

This verse presents a profound theological truth through syntactical precision. It features a present active indicative verb of joint testimony, a dative of association, and a content clause that functions as the message being confirmed.

Emphatic Subject: αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα

αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα (“the Spirit itself”) is emphatically placed. The use of the neuter form with the article and pronoun intensifies the identity and action of the Holy Spirit.… Learn Koine Greek

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