Koine (Common) Greek Primer

INT-01

This primer is not designed to give you a course in the Greek language, but to give you some ground work to inform you on what is behind the interpretation of the Scriptures in the terms of the uses of the original language in which the New Testament Bible was written.

Koine Greek was spoken and written from the 4th century B.C. until the time of the Byzantine emperor Justinian (mid-6th century A.D.). It was the dominate business language across the Roman World whether in Jerusalem or Rome, and was the language that God chose to communicate New Testament Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. People who spoke Latin also read Koine Greek and understood it.

There are more scholarly works available on original biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek grammar, syntax, and word meanings in the Bible than there are on modern English or any other modern language today. This reflects the sense of the importance that has been attached to knowing the Bible's meanings down through history. The Koine Greek says it the way the Holy Spirit wanted it to be said, in its specific details, and that we can understand. We can be sure that what the Bible promises us is true and reliable, so we can mix its promises with faith, hope, and certainty. This raises us out of despair, and this is a status that the lost world can never obtain. Some knowledge of the Koine Greek will greatly enhance your understanding of what the Word of God is saying in your English Bible.

Greek Verbs

The Greek verb is one of the most important features of New Testament interpretation. There is no way to translate Greek without understanding Greek verbs. Some knowledge of it will greatly help you understand what the Holy Spirit is communicating to you. Verbs are actions (John runs). "John" is the subject, and "runs" is the verb (action). In the Greek verb, time (tense) is not the main thing like it is with English verb tenses past, present, and future. The main thing that a Greek verb tells you is the "kind of action," known grammatically as an aktionsart.

Greek Tense - Types of Actions

  1. Punctiliar (once and for all) action in the Greek is the aorist tense.
  2. Linear Action that continuously takes place (a habit, or a way of life) in the Greek is present or future tense.
  3. Combination is where a thing begins at a certain point and continues which is the perfect tense that expresses what happened in the past and the results continue.
  4. Continuous action in the past is the imperfect tense.
  5. Action in the past with the results continuing in the past is the pluperfect tense.
Tense Kind of Action Example
Present Continuous action Tim is studying the Bible.
Imperfect Continuous action in the past Tim was studying the Bible.
Perfect Punctiliar action in the past with the results continuing into the present Tim is being transformed by having studied the Bible.
Pluperfect Punctiliar action in the past with the results continuing in the past Tim was transformed because he had studied the Bible.
Aorist Punctiliar action (the time can be past, present, or future but is generally past) Tim studied the Bible.
Future Generally continuous action in the future, but on occasion it can be punctiliar Tim will be studying his Bible.

Examples:

Act 16:31: "And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved and thy house."

English verb: believe
Greek verb: pisteuo
Tense: Aorist - punctiliar (once and only) action (the time can be past, present, or future but is generally past)

English verb: shall be saved
Greek verb: sozo
Tense: Future - continuous action in the future

1 Corinthians 11:18: "For first of all, when you come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it."

English verb: I hear that there be
Greek verb: akouo
Tense: Present - continually takes place in the present

Paul is saying that everywhere he went, he was continually hearing how the Corinthians were squabbling and taking sides against one another. You can't know this from the English translation. The Greek verb tells us how bad the carnality in the Corinthian Church really was.

Mark 12:41: "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

English verb: cast
Greek verb: ballo
Tense: Present - continually takes place in the present

English verb: cast
Greek verb: cast
Tense: Imperfect - continuous action in the Past

This describes something that rich people did continually in the past: casting large sums of money into the treasury for everyone to see.

John 14:26: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
English verb: will send
Greek verb: pempo
Tense: Future - continuous action in the future, but on occasion it can be punctiliar

English verb: shall teach
Greek verb: didasko
Tense: Future - continuous action in the future, but on occasion it can be punctiliar

English verb: to you remembrance
Greek verb: hupomimnesko
Tense: Future - Continuous action in the future, but on occasion it can be punctiliar

The future (linear) tense in these verses tell us there is no limitation in how much of the Word of God we can learn in the Christian life because it is the Holy Spirit who aids our learning God's Word which is doctrine. We will discuss frustrating the Holy Spirit later.

There is the occurring action which is punctiliar action that happens at a one specific point in time (once for all) aorist tense (believe on the Lord Jesus Christ).

Philippians 4:11: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

English verb: have learned
Greek verb: manthano
Tense: second aorist - punctiliar (once and only) action (Note: aorist and second aorist tense are the same thing.)

Paul is saying that there is one point in time in my experience that I came to a spiritual maturity in my soul that I was stable / content regardless of my circumstances. Because it is in the aorist tense, it was a climatic event in Paul's life.

There is the completed action which is a combination. A thing begins at a certain point in the past and its results continue in the present. We have action in the past with continued action in the present which is the perfect tense, and this is very important to understand.

Act 5:28: Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

English verb: you have filled
Greek verb: pleroo
Tense: Perfect - action begins at a certain point and continues

The disciples, at some point in the past, started proclaiming the Word of God concerning Jesus Christ the promised Savior, the fulfillment of the Messianic hope of Israel, and after a while all of Jerusalem was filled to the point that the leadership of Israel was confronted with this movement. It had begun in the past, and its effects had continued in the present, so that now they had to start beating the disciples to try to do something to stop it.

You may also have an action that begins in the past with the finished results in the past which is the pluperfect tense.

John 19:22: Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

English verb: I have written
Greek verb: grapho
Tense: Perfect - pluperfect - action in the past with the results continuing in the past. In this combination it was signed in the past and stays signed in the past which is pluperfect action.

Combination action that will start in the future and will continue in the future is called future / perfect tense.

Hebrews 2:13: And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, behold I and the children which God hath given me.

English verb: will put my trust
Greek verb: peitho
Tense: Second Perfect - action begins at a certain point and continues

Note: This example used two verbs combining to describe an action in the future / perfect tense. The writer is saying: I will put my trust in Him in the future, and once I have trusted the Savior, it will continue, for I can never "un-trust" myself to Him again.

Greek Voice

Greek voice refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb. The Greek verb also has voice which tells how the subject of the sentence is related to the action of the verb. In the Koine verb, there are three types of relationships:
  1. Active - The subject produces the action of the verb. It stresses the action itself.

    Matthew 5:45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

    English verb: to rise
    Greek verb: anatello
    Tense: Present
    Voice: Active - is expressing that God is doing this action (to rise)
    Usage: When you see a certain verb is in the active voice, that should tell you something. That person is doing something himself. He is responsible.

  2. Middle - This tell us that the subject participates or is involved in the results of the action of the verb which is determined on the context surrounding the verb. This stresses how the subject is involved on himself or is benefited by it.

    Matthew 27:5: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

    English verb: hanged
    Greek verb: apagchomai
    Tense: Aorist
    Voice: Middle - Judas (the subject) hanged (action) himself. He participated in the action that acted on him.
    Usage: When it is the middle voice, it means he has benefited or the actions turns on himself. He is involved with it in some way.

  3. Passive - The subject receives of the action of the verb. This is what we call the voice of Grace.

    Acts 22:30: On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

    English verb: he was accused
    Greek verb: kategoreo
    Tense: Present
    Voice: Passive - Paul received the action (accused) from somebody else (the Jews).
    Usage: When it is the passive voice, it means someone else is doing it to him. He is receiving the results of that action.

Note: Within these voices, there are refined classifications which are not necessary for us now.

Voice How the subject is related to the action Example
Active Indicates that the subject produces the action Tim hit the ball.
Passive Indicates that he (the subject) is acted upon Tim was hit by the ball.
Middle Indicates that the subject initiates the action and participates in the results of the action Tim hit himself with the ball.

Greek Mood

In the Greek language, the mood explains the view point of the speaker relative to reality. The Greek verb also has Mood which explains the view point of the speaker relative to reality. For example, we may say, "The boy runs." That is reality. But we may also say, "If the boy runs," now it is possibility. There is a big difference in running or if the boy is going to run. The Greek by its form tells us which one it is.

There are four moods:

  1. Indicative Mood - It states a simple fact. It is the mood of certainty. The person may be wrong but he assumes it is reality. Note: The indicative mood is the most commonly used mood in the Greek NT.

    John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    English verb: was
    Greek verb: eimi
    Tense: Imperfect
    Voice: Active
    Mood: Indicative - John makes a simple statement of fact which is the Indicative Mood.

  2. Subjunctive Mood - It is potential and not actual. It is the mood of probability a contingency action.

    Hebrews 4:14: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

    English verb: let us hold fast
    Greek verb: krateo
    Tense: Present
    Voice: Active
    Mood: Subjunctive - The speaker is not sure you are going to hold fast to your confession. You probably will but he's not so sure which is the subjunctive mood.

    Note: What we are seeing is the weakening of reality between these two moods. Indicative mood says that there is no doubt about it, but subjunctive mood says probably but maybe it's not so sure.

  3. Optative Mood - It is only possible which is weaker than the subjunctive mood. The speaker is less sure that this will be the situation. It is the mood of possibility, a conceivable action. It is weaker than subjunctive because the speaker is less sure that this will be the situation.

    2 Thessalonians 3:5: And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

    English verb: direct
    Greek verb: kateuthuno
    Tense: Aorist
    Voice: Active
    Mood: Optative - It's not sure that the Lord will be able to guide you because your negative response will close your mind.

  4. Imperative Mood - This is the mood of command, or volition. If you see that a verb is in the imperative mood you should know right away that it is a command.

    Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

    English verb: love
    Greek verb: agapao
    Tense: Present
    Voice: Active
    Mood: Imperative - a command to love you enemies

These Greek verb properties of tense, voice, and mood give us exact statements of facts that allow us to understand what the Holy Spirit meant that a translation in English may miss. The Greek verb has the greatest architecture of all languages.

The exegesis of a passage, because of the Koine Greek's grammatical features, has one interpretation alone and the verb is one of the key factors that tells us what the Holy Spirit meant. This means the Bible can be understood as to the meaning of the speaker and that the meaning can be understood by the hearer. It is difficult to translate Koine Greek into English, so developing some understanding of the Koine Greek, especially with the tools we have today, is important for Christians to develop spiritually.

Koine Greek is a precise scientific language that communicates to us exact facts so we have little doubt what God the Holy Spirit is communicating to us with each verse of Scripture. Uncertainty of meanings are only due to when we have limited insight concerning any verse, or limited information that we can bring together to any text. When we have the information we need, every text is understandable and every text was meant for us to understand.

Mood Relation to Reality Usage of meaning Example
Indicative Mood of certainty (reality) Used to declare a statement of fact as something which is true. Expresses that which is actual, factual, or real from the speaker's point of view. Bible study has changed Tim's life.
Imperative Mood of volition or will (potentially reality) Usually used to express a command or entreaty. Denotes intention, authority, permission, or prohibition. Tim, study your homework.
Subjective Mood of probability (probable reality) Used to express an action which may or should happen but which is not necessarily true at the present, from the speaker's point of view. It expresses conditional or uncertain action. Tim may have done his homework.
Optative Mood of possibility (possible reality) Merely presents an action as conceivable from the speaker's point of view, with no definite anticipation of realization. I wish my neighbor, Tim, would take the Berean Approach Bible Studies.
Infinitive Mood of states of affairs Express acts, situations and in general "states of affairs" that are depended on another verb form, English example: The simple form, as, speak, go, hear. I want (for) you to go (=every time, or=to start / keep going to Athens etc.).

Examples of the effect of how tense, voice and mood in exegesis works:

Galatians 4:19: My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

English verb: be formed
Greek verb: morphoo
Tense: Aorist
Voice: Passive - Something acts upon Christ to cause him to express himself through your living.
Mood: Subjunctive

The meaning of this verb is that "Christ be outwardly expressed in you." This is an outward expression of what is in you inwardly. And when he says, "Christ be formed in you," it means that outwardly in your human relationships and expressions may it be Christ who is functioning through you. May your life be Christ-like in its expression.

The question is how are we going to come to an outward performance of Christ through our living?

The verb's voice is passive which means Christ himself does not do the acting. It means something acts upon Christ to cause Him to express Himself through your living. Jesus Christ lives in the believer in an inactive passive state, and something moves Him into expression.

The Word of God tells us that Christ does not glorify himself. We are told that Christ is glorified through the life of the Believer by the ministry of God the Holy Spirit.

Galatians Chapter 5 tells us about this, as does John 16:13-14.

John 16:13-14: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

English verb: is come
Greek verb: erchomai
Tense: second Aorist - once for all action (note that second aorist which is the same as the aorist tense)
Voice: Active
Mood: Subjunctive - probable but not for sure

English verb: shall glorify
Greek verb: doxazo
Tense: Future
Voice: Active
Mood: Indicative

English verb: shall show
Greek verb: anaggello
Tense: Future
Voice: Active
Mood: Indicative

John 16:14 says, He ("that one"), (the Holy Spirit), "shall glorify me," stressing that Christ is passive. The Holy Spirit acts on him, then your living becomes Christ living.

In John 16:13, the verb "is come" is aorist which means once for all action. There is a point that something happens that the Holy Spirit is free to work on Christ to express Himself through you. And that point of action is the point where you are positive to the Word of God, and to the knowledge of the principles of God because God the Holy Spirit works though the Word. He shines His light on the Word of God you have accepted and that is what He uses to direct your life.

It is also subjunctive which means probable but not for sure. It is potential which means it is up to you as a believer whether you are receptive to the Word of God or whether you are going to sit there as a resister who keeps disagreeing. When you do that you will find that Christ will not be expressed in you.

This verb in the language of its grammar tells us that Christ will only express himself through you and me by an action of God the Holy Spirit upon the indwelling Christ through the Word of God that you have received, and then He will express Himself. Without Bible doctrine, we are dead in the water, or worse, we are tossed around by every wave of the world in our flesh. It is not by doing, but by learning and receiving something, which is the Word of God.

The use of the present tense and the aorist tense in commands show how the use of tenses tells us things. The present / imperative using the Greek negative particle "me" tells you to stop doing what you are doing. The Greek has a way of tell us to stop doing something we are already doing.

Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

English verb: be careful
Greek verb: merimnao
Tense: Present - containing linear action
Voice: Active
Mood: Imperative - command

Philippians 4:6 is telling us to stop worrying about even one thing. Because it is in the present / imperative and the present tense is linear action which means to "stop what you are already doing." So, we know that the Philippian Christians were continually worrying about things. Paul is commanding them to "stop the kind of worrying that has been going on among you." I want you to be happy. The key summary of the book of Philippians is that God has brought us joy and happiness.

Ephesians 5:11: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

English verb: fellowship
Greek verb: sugkoinoneo
Tense: Present - continuing linear action
Voice: Active
Mood: Imperative - command

If we use the aorist / subjunctive with the negative Greek word "me," it means don't start doing something. Aorist is point action. Here is a point where you might start doing something evil, then we would tell you not to do it.

Luke 11:4: And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

English verb: lead
Greek verb: eisphero
Tense: Aorist - Once for all point action
Voice: Active
Mood: Subjunctive - probable but not for sure

Luke 11:4 tells us, "do not ever lead us into temptation." When we are facing a temptation, we are told not to get into that.

Negative Particles

The Greek negative particle "ou" is absolute negation. It means "no, and I mean no." This is the strong "no" in the Greek. When you see this Greek word in the English Bible, you will only see it translated as "no," "not," or "don't."

John 1:21: And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, "No."

If you use the negative particle "ou" in a question in the Greek, it gives you the answer to the question which is "yes."

Matthew 13:55: Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?

The answer to the question in the Greek is "yes." It would take many more English words to convey this meaning.

If you use the negative particle "me" in a question in the Greek, it gives you the answer to the question which is "no."

1 Corinthians 12:30: Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

The Greek word "me" is not translated in the English Bible in this verse, but is in the actual Greek verse. The question is "do all speak in tongues?" Paul's answer is "no." This verse, if understood correctly, is a devastating scriptural testimony against Pentecostalism that says that everyone must speak in tongues to evidence the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We know from the Greek on the basis of what God the Holy Spirit said here. He did not use "ou," which would have said that everyone would speak in tongues. He used "me". If you meet a person who tells you that you must speak in tongues to show evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and you ask him how he knows that, he will likely go to this verse.

When you use the Greek negative particle "ou" with "me", it is the strongest "no" in the Greek.

Matthew 5:20: For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Use of the Present and Aorist Tenses

John 4:13-14: Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

English verb: drinks
Greek verb: pino
Tense: Present - linear action (who keeps drinking this water will not be permanently satisfied nor with the world)
Voice: Active
Mood: Participle

English verb: shall thirst
Greek verb: dipsao
a: Tense: Future - continuous action in the future
a: Voice: Active
a: Mood: Indicative
b: Tense: Aorist - one time (once and for all)
b: Voice: Active
b: Mood: Subjunctive - You have to decide whether to drink or not.

English verb: springing up
Greek verb: hallomai
Tense: Present - Continuing linear action
Voice: middle or passive deponent
Mood: Participle

Jesus Christ places the well of life continually in the believer. All the believer has to do is to believe, and it applies to him.

Present tense in use

In 1 John 3:9, it seemingly says that Christians do not sin. People who believe in complete sanctification quote this verse. They say that when you come to a certain point in your Christian life, you will never sin again because those are the phrases in the English verse. The Greek verb comes to our rescue to what Paul is saying.

1 John 3:9: Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

English verb: commit
Greek verb: poieo
Tense: Present - linear action to commit sin Voice: Active Mood: Indicative

This says that a Christian does not continuously commit sin as a habit of life. Paul is not saying that once we become a Christian we will not sin.

Perfect tense in use

Paul denies he is spiritually mature in Philippians 3:12. However, in Philippians 3:15, he calls himself spiritually mature. This looks like a contradiction in the Word of God. An understanding of the tenses tells us what Paul is saying.

Philippians 3:12: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:15: Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

English verb: were already perfect
Greek verb: teleioo
Tense: Perfect - happens in the past and continues to the present (Paul says he has not come to the place where he no longer sins in the past and now he continues in that condition.)
Voice: Passive
Mood: Indicative

English verb: be perfect
Greek verb: teleios

Paul is saying that on one hand he has not come to the place of sinless perfection. But on the other hand, he has come to a state of spiritual maturity in his soul. Paul says he has built a spiritual maturity structure in his soul through doctrine, the Word of God. He has come to the place where he is a stable spiritually oriented Christian. So, the two verses fit together based on the grammar.

Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

English verb: It is written
Greek verb: grapho
Tense: Perfect - Having been written in the past, it is on record in the present. Jesus is implying what Moses wrote 1,500 years before was the Word of God and because it was the Word of God it has continued to the present in preservation.
Voice: Passive
Mood: Indicative

Ephesians 2:8 below is one of the great eternal security verses. How do we know? We know by the tenses.

Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

English verb: are ye
Greek verb: eimi
Tense: Present - linear contentious action and will continue forever
Voice: Active
Mood: Indicative

English verb: It is written
Greek verb: sozo
Tense: Perfect - happens in the past and continues to the present
Voice: Passive
Mood: Participle
Case: Nominative (subject; predicate nominative)

Paul is saying that by grace you were saved in past times and are in the state of salvation in the present time because it is in the perfect tense. The verse is saying from the past to the present time, and continuing forever. If Paul had used the aorist tense, he would have said a person was saved at some point in the past without any reference if it would stick or not. He did not use the aorist. He used the present tense, which means it does stick. It continues. The availability of our salvation is what Christ has done, but the continuance depends on one thing. Once we believe it in the past, the perfect tense says it continues. This is the strongest possible way for the Bible to express salvation as continuing.

Paul is communicating that "By grace were you completely saved in past times with the result that you are in a state of salvation which persists through present times forever."

We need to understand the Greek verb tense, voice and mood to understand what that action is really saying. With the easy to use tools we have today, it is easy to correctly understand your English Bible.

Greek Nouns

Greek nouns, as with English nouns, are persons, places or things. However, the Greek noun has certain endings (inflections) to indicate various grammatical relationships. These relationships are vital features of interpretation. We do not have ending (inflections) on words in English to indicate these grammatical relationships as does the Greek.

Case: Greek nouns have eight cases but we will not go further in this primer except to show how a noun is related to the rest of the sentence, and whether it is a subject, object, possessive, indirect, and so on. These endings will indicate the relationship of the noun to the verb which guides the reader to the intended meaning of the writer. It may be a subject; it may qualify the subject; or, it can function in different ways. There are eight cases with different endings to differentiate the cases. Some of the endings are the same, but the context indicates the case in mind.

Gender: A Greek noun is either masculine, feminine, or neuter. There are endings on the noun which identify the gender. Where there is no gender ending you have to memorize it for that noun. This is evident in other languages like German. You learn the noun in German with the article, and the article indicates the Gender.

Article Gender Noun English
Der Masculine Mann the man
Die Feminine Frau the woman
Das Neuter Book the book

Number: Greek nouns also have endings which number, as in English; that is, singular or plural.

Pronouns: Pronouns substitute for nouns in Greek. There are various kinds, and they have the same structure as nouns in English. The also have number, gender, and case, with endings which indicate this. In Greek grammar, a pronoun must agree in in gender and number with its antecedent (the noun it is referring to or substituting for).

Examples of Nouns in interpretation in the New Testament:

Matthew 1:16: And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

English noun: of Mary
Greek noun: Maria
Number: Singular
Gender: Feminine

English pronoun: of whom
Greek pronoun: hos
Number: Singular
Gender: Feminine

The liberal likes to say that Jesus Christ was the natural child of Mary and Joseph. The question is: what does the Word of God tell us concerning the origin of the physical body of Jesus Christ?

The rule in Greek syntax, stated above, says that a pronoun must agree with its antecedent (the noun it refers to) in gender and number. The question in Matthew 1:16 (above) is:

What does "of whom" refer to?

  1. It can't be Joseph and Mary together which is plural.
  2. It can't be Joseph alone which is masculine.
  3. It can only be Mary which is feminine and singular.

Mary is the "of whom" this is referring to as it is the only antecedent that fits based on the grammar rules for interpretation. This confirms the virgin birth of Christ as the grammar can only refer to Mary, and not to Joseph and Mary, or someone else.

Granville Sharp's Rule for Nouns

Granville Sharp's Rule says that when two singular common nouns are used to describe a person, and those two nouns are joined by a copulative conjunction (and / kai), and the definite article (the) precedes the first noun but not the second, then both nouns refer to the same person. This principle of semantics holds true in all languages. For example, consider this sentence:

We met with the owner and curator of the museum, Mr. Holton.

The grammatical construction of the Greek makes it plain: definite article (the) + singular noun + copulative conjunction (kai) + singular noun = the same person.

Is Jesus Christ deity? Some of the cult groups like Jehovah Witness say that Christ is not God. They say that he was just a good man, and that the Spirit of God came on Him at His baptism and left Him at his death. Does the verse below say that "God" and "our Savior Jesus Christ" refer to the same person, or is it saying "God the Father" and another person "Jesus Christ?" If you understand Greek grammar the question is answered.

2Peter 1:1: Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:

English definite article: untranslated
Greek definite article: ho: the masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. Case: Genitive (possession, "of"; also origin or separation, "from")
Number: Singular
Gender: Masculine

English noun: God
Greek noun: theos: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very: - X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward].
Case: Genitive (possession, "of"; also origin or separation, "from")
Number: Singular
Gender: Masculine

English article: and
Greek article: kai: Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

English noun: Savior Jesus Christ
Greek noun: soter: a deliverer, that is, God or Christ: - savior.
Case: Genitive (possession, "of"; also origin or separation, "from")
Number: Singular
Gender: Masculine

Based on Granville Sharp's grammar rule we have the defining statement that Jesus Christ our Savior refers back to the previous noun "God" that is preceded by the definite article (the (ho)). This is a definite scriptural statement that Jesus Christ was deity.

Ephesians 4:11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

English definite article: untranslated
Greek definite article: ho: (definite article) The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. Case: Genitive (possession, "of"; also origin or separation, "from")
Number: Singular
Gender: Masculine

English noun: pastors
Green noun: poimen: (noun) Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively): - shepherd, pastor.
Case: Accusative (direct object; motion toward; time: "how long")
Number: Plural
Gender: Masculine

English conjunction: and
Greek conjunction - kai: (conjunctive particle) Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

English noun: teachers
Greek noun - didaskalos: (noun); an instructor (generally or specifically): - doctor, master, teacher.
Case: Accusative (direct object; motion toward; time: "how long")
Number: Plural
Gender: Masculine

Ephesians 4:11 lists several spiritual gifts which were given to the Church. The last gift listed is a combination gift of great importance clearly defined in the Greek verse if we understand Greek grammar. Your translation may have "and some pastors and teachers". In the Greek verse before the word "pastor" is the Greek definite article (ho). It is untranslated in the English, but is not before the second noun "teacher." The conjunction "and" (kai) is between the two nouns. So let's look at our Greek grammar rule:

(definite article (the/ho) + singular noun + copulative conjunction (and/kai) + singular noun = the same person)

The pastor and teacher is referring to the same person which means it is a combination spiritual gift which is the pastor-teacher gift. Some older translations have a comma after pastor where newer translations have no comma after pastor. This is referred to the PT (pastor-teacher) gift. The pastor part of this gift has to do with his authority in the local church over the flock as Christ's under shepherd. Pastor gender is masculine and flock gender is feminine, suggesting that the relationship between the pastor and the flock appears analogous to a husband and his wife's relationship.

1 Peter 5:4: And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.

English noun: Chief Shepherd
Greek noun: archipoimen: (noun); a head shepherd: - chief shepherd.
Case: Genitive (possession, "of"; also origin or separation, "from")
Number: Singular
Gender: Masculine

Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd and all pastors are directly under Him. This is the authority structure of the church in Scripture. The pastor-teacher is the elder bishop in the local church, and he is the only pastor-teacher in authority for that ministry as the executive head for that work.

This introductory Koine (Common) Greek Prime will help you understand Greek verbs, nouns and negative particles. Along with other simple tools that we will introduce you to, this will help you better comprehend your English Bible for a surer understanding of the Work of God.

John E. Danish 1971

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