To Build, Not to Tear Down: Apostolic Authority in Koine and Classical Perspective

Διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ἔδωκέ μοι ὁ Κύριος εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν. (2 Corinthians 13:10)

Because of this, I write these things while absent, so that when present I may not act harshly, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax

• Διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα: Causal phrase combining a preposition and demonstrative pronouns. The reduplication is for emphasis — “because of this, these things.” Such redundancy is stylistic in Koine, less typical in Classical.
• ἀπὼν γράφω: Present tense verb γράφω with the circumstantial participle ἀπὼν (“being absent”). This is a common Koine construction expressing temporal or causal circumstance, with a participle preceding the main verb. The present tense implies ongoing action (habitual writing).
• ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι: Final purpose clause introduced by ἵνα, followed by the aorist middle subjunctive χρήσωμαι (“I may use/deal with”), with μὴ negation. The participle παρὼν (“being present”) again shows condition or circumstance. Subjunctive with ἵνα is typical Koine for expressing purpose or result.
• κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ἔδωκέ μοι ὁ Κύριος: A relative clause in indirect discourse. ἣν (“which”) is accusative feminine singular agreeing with ἐξουσίαν. ἔδωκέ is aorist active indicative of δίδωμι, indicating completed action. The phrase highlights divine authorization.
• εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν: Two parallel prepositional phrases. These express purpose or result: “for building up and not for tearing down.” The chiastic contrast is frequent in Paul’s rhetoric.

Comparison with Classical Greek Usage

• Redundant demonstratives (ταῦτα, τοῦτο): Classical authors often avoid such repetition unless for poetic or emphatic reasons. In Koine, redundancy serves clarity or emphasis in epistolary tone.
• Participial framing (ἀπὼν, παρὼν): Though Classical Greek uses circumstantial participles extensively, the ease with which Koine employs such participles with personal verbs like γράφω and χράομαι reflects a more accessible, narrative-driven syntax.
• Subjunctive with ἵνα: Classical Greek preferred ὅπως or infinitive constructions for purpose clauses in some genres. The ἵνα + subjunctive became dominant in Koine.
• χράομαι: Middle verb usage here (“to act, deal with”) fits idiomatic Koine. In Classical texts, it more frequently retains the sense of “to use” or “to make use of,” often with dative of instrument, not in the sense of treatment or interaction.
• κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν: Prepositional phrases with abstract nouns are used in both styles, but Koine often features more explicit causal or instrumental prepositions than Classical, which might prefer syntactic economy or participial phrases.
• Parallelism: The antithesis between οἰκοδομὴ and καθαίρεσις is classical in rhetoric but becomes more semantically theological in Paul — the shift from military/architectural terms to ecclesial metaphor is a Koine stylistic and theological hallmark.

Semantic and Stylistic Shifts

• Shift toward clarity: Paul’s epistolary Koine favors clarity over elegance. Redundant demonstratives, simpler clause structures, and explicit causal markers make the language more accessible than High Classical prose.
• Expanded theological vocabulary: Terms like ἐξουσία, οἰκοδομή, and καθαίρεσις take on ecclesial and spiritual connotations in Koine, diverging from their political or architectural senses in Classical usage.
• Emphasis through contrast: The juxtaposition of presence and absence, building and tearing down, asserts apostolic authority with both rhetorical symmetry and spiritual weight. Classical authors would admire the form but perhaps not the religious emphasis.

Summary Comparison Table