ὅτε δὲ ἦλθε τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, (Galatians 4:4)
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under law,
This powerful verse compresses the incarnation, divine timing, and subjection to the Law into a single sentence. It opens a gateway into salvation history
Koine Greek Breakdown
The structure highlights timing (temporal clause), divine initiative (main verb), and two participial qualifiers that define the Son’s incarnation and legal context.
- Temporal Clause: ὅτε δὲ ἦλθε τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου — “when the fullness of time came”
- Aorist Indicative: ἦλθε — a completed historical arrival
- Main Verb: ἐξαπέστειλεν — “He sent forth” (emphatic aorist, from ἐξ-ἀποστέλλω)
- Aorist Participles: γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον — two adverbial modifiers specifying how the Son entered the world
Try parsing “ἐξαπέστειλεν”
Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Singular — “He sent forth” (a decisive, punctiliar act).
Classical Greek Comparison
In Classical Greek, the syntax might prefer more formal participial constructions and possibly employ different temporal vocabulary or a richer stylistic register.
ἐπεὶ δὲ ἐπλήρωτο ὁ χρόνος, ἐξέπεμψεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν αὑτοῦ υἱόν, ἐκ γυναικὸς γεγονότα, ὑπὸ νόμου γεγονότα.
- ἐπεὶ: More typical Classical marker for past-time clauses instead of ὅτε
- ἐπλήρωτο: Imperfect passive of πληρόω — slightly more nuanced than ἦλθε τὸ πλήρωμα
- ἐξέπεμψεν: Classical synonym of ἐξαπέστειλεν — same root meaning, with higher Classical currency
- γεγονότα: Perfect participles used instead of aorist for theological nuance — “having become” implies present result
- αὑτοῦ: More emphatic possessive for “His own” (referring to God’s Son)
Think Like a Philologist: Why would a Classical writer prefer “γεγονότα” over “γενόμενον”?
Suggested Answer
The perfect participle γεγονότα expresses a completed action with ongoing significance. In Classical Greek, it would add theological weight: not just that He was born, but that He remains the one who has come forth from woman and under law.
Semantic and Stylistic Shifts
Koine Greek in this verse is sharp and declarative — the kind of language fit for proclamation. The use of aorist verbs and participles foregrounds the action as decisive.
Classical Greek, however, invites more interpretive nuance — offering continuity and emphasis on divine agency with forms like γεγονότα. The difference is one of posture: Koine is heraldic; Classical is reflective.
Cultural Insight
In Greco-Roman political language, the phrase “sending forth a son” could evoke the mission of an imperial envoy. Paul’s use of such terms carries subversive force: the true imperial emissary is not Caesar’s, but God’s.
Summary Comparison Table
| Koine Usage | Classical Usage | Learner Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| ὅτε ἦλθε τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου | ἐπεὶ ἐπλήρωτο ὁ χρόνος | Koine uses noun clause with verb; Classical prefers temporal conjunction and verb as main subject. |
| ἐξαπέστειλεν | ἐξέπεμψεν | Both mean “sent forth,” but Classical prefers ἐξέπεμψεν for rhetorical gravitas. |
| γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός | ἐκ γυναικὸς γεγονότα | Koine aorist marks the event; Classical perfect underscores lasting theological effect. |
Glossary
- Aorist Indicative: Verbal tense used for single, completed actions (e.g., ἦλθε, ἐξαπέστειλεν).
- Perfect Participle: Describes a completed action with present significance (e.g., γεγονότα).
- Temporal Clause: Introduces a time reference (e.g., ὅτε or ἐπεὶ).
- Adverbial Participles: Modify the main verb to explain conditions or means (e.g., γενόμενον = “being born”).
- Telos: Greek for “end” or “goal”; relates to fulfillment language like πλήρωμα.
