Questions tagged [greek]
Koiné (from κοινή, "common") Greek was the form of post-classical Greek spoken and written in Hellenistic and Roman antiquity. It is the language of the Septuagint (LXX), Christian New Testament, and most early Christian theological writings.
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In John 1:1c, should the Greek word θεὸς be translated into English as “a god” or “God”?
The New World Translation, the official Bible version of the Watchtower/Jehovah’s Witnesses, translates John 1:1 into English as follows:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, ...
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1 Corinthians 13:10 - What does "The Perfect" Refer to?
1. Question:
In 1 Cor 13:10, what does "The Perfect, (τὸ τέλειον)" refer to, and how would it have understood at the time it was written - not 500 years later?
1 Cor. 13:10, NASB - 10 but when "...
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Tetelestai - What did Jesus really say in John 19:30 assuming he spoke Aramaic or Hebrew?
I have been researching for a long time John 19:30, more specifically the word Tetelestai (τετελεσται) in the Greek. But recently came across the topic of the Hebrew Gospels (possible late ...
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Does "asleep" in 1 Corinthians 15 mean that the dead are unconscious prior to the resurrection?
Inspired by discussion from this question
The New Testament regularly refers to the dead as "asleep". This occurs several times in 1 Corinthians 15, such as:
20 But now is Christ risen ...
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Which 'modern' English translation of the Bible is considered the 'closest' or most accurate translation? [closed]
Which 'modern' (anything inclusive of King James Version to date) English translation of the Bible is considered the 'closest' or most accurate translation from the original Hebrew & Greek texts?
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In John 1:3 why does the author use ἐγένετο instead of ἐποίησεν?
The extant versions of the LXX Genesis 1:1 describes the making of the world using ἐποίησεν ("made") but the author of John, who seems to be commenting on Genesis 1:1 fails to follow the LXX verbiage ...
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What is hell? sheol/hades/prison/lake of fire/outer darkness
This question looks at 5 contexts which refer to hell, how the word is used, and what it means.
1.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption. ...
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How should we understand "he cannot sin" in 1 John 3:9?
1 John 3:9 (NASB):
No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I am particularly intrigued by the 2nd half of the verse ...
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1 Corinthians 13:9-10 - What Does "ἐκ μέρους" Mean?
In 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 - What does "ἐκ μέρους" mean here? Is Paul talking about "knowing only partially" (i.e. incomplete knowledge), or "knowing as only part of the body" (i.e. of Christ), as in ...
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What Is The Aorist Tense Of A Verb? [closed]
I've read that one of the difficulties of translating New Testament Greek is the presence of the aorist tense of verbs in Greek. I think I understand what is meant by "aorist tense" in that it seems ...
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1 Corinthians 13:10 - Should "The Perfect" Be Interpreted in an Eschatological Sense?
1. Question - Regarding Greek Grammar, the Subjunctive "ὅταν":
In 1 Corinthians 13:10 - Should "The Coming of the Perfect" be interpreted in an "Eschatological Sense" - in view of the World? Perhaps ...
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What did Jesus mean by "be perfect" in the Sermon on the Mount?
I asked this on the Christianity Stack Exchange site, and they told me it would be better here. So I here I am asking it...
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. ...
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Is there any significance behind Jesus' use of the word "love" in "John 21:15-17"
In John 21:15-17 (ESV), we read:
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that ...
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1 Corinthians 13:10 - What Will Cease when "The Perfect" Comes?
1. Question - Greek Grammar and Syntax
Setting aside doctrinal arguments - are there any grammatical indications that may clarify what will "will cease", (or be "nullified") - when "the perfect comes"...
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What does the word "prototokos" mean in Colossians 1:15?
What does the Greek word "prototokos" mean in English as used in Colossians 1:15?
Col 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn [prōtotokos] over all creation. [NIV]
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1 Corinthians 13:9 - How Should "Out Of" Be Translated?
1. Question - Reference Request, and Textual Basis:
In 1 Corinthians 13:10 -
Why is " ἐκ | out of " left out of the translation?
Are there any period texts that also have similar constructions?
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Does Romans 9:5 assert the deity of Christ?
Also known by the more pedestrian title: *How should Romans 9:5 be punctuated?*
Romans 9:5, NA28 (punctuation omitted):
ὧν οἱ πατέρες καὶ ἐξ ὧν ὁ Χριστὸς τὸ κατὰ σάρκα ὁ ὢν ἐπὶ πάντων θεὸς ...
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Did Matthew intend “evil” or “the evil one” in the Lord’s Prayer?
I previously asked a question about how to understand these words in the language Jesus was originally speaking. However, the text we have is in Greek, and I realized I’m not as familiar with the ...
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What was meant by "paradise" when Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross?
As he was crucified, Jesus engaged in a conversation with one of the thieves hung along side him. At the end of that conversation is this pronouncement:
Luke 23:43 (ESV)
43 And he said to him, "...
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If Joshua can be translated why Is the name of Jesus translated "Jesus" but his name in hebrew was Joshua?
This question is in regard to Matthew 1:21, "His name shall be called Jesus for he will save his people from their sins." The question has two parts.
1) Strongs equates the name "Jesus" with the ...
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Angel or messenger?
Often, it is clear from context whether מלאך and αγγελος refer to a human messenger or an angelic messenger.
For example, if a מלאך or αγγελος is sent by a human, then the messenger is likely human. ...
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In Colossians 1:27, what is the meaning of “this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”?
In Col. 1:24-29, it is written,
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is ...
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Why does Revelation 8:1 use ὅταν instead of ὅτε?
I do not know Greek, so hopefully I am not just embarrassing myself with this question; but here goes.
For the first six seals in Revelation, John introduces them using ὅτε:
1 - Καὶ εἶδον ὅτε ...
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Luke 22:16 - Did Jesus say he was not going to eat THAT Passover?
Related:
- Is there any significance to using φάγω vs ἐσθίω?
- In Luke 22, How Should Prepare and Eat - be Translated from the Aorist Subjunctive?
- In the early church, was the Last Supper Considered ...
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In John 1:1-3, translated pronouns as "him" or "it"? (Neuter or masculine?)
In Koine, I believe "logos" is a masculine noun. Pronouns for "logos" such as Οὗτος are likewise masculine and rendered "he", etc. in English translations. Linguistically ...
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What is the difference between the μορφῇ of God and the εἶδος of God?
who, though he was in the form [morphe] of God, did not count
equality with God a thing to be grasped (Philippians 2:6 ESV).
And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His
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How do you reconcile world (κόσμος) in 1 John 2:15-17 with John 3:16-17?
How do you reconcile world (κόσμος) in 1 John 2:15-17 with John 3:16-17?
κόσμος has obviously different meanings as used in the following two passages.
For God so loved the world, that he gave ...
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Should John 1:18 be translated differently?
Assuming that John 1:18 actually says theos instead of huios, and monogenes means one of a kind or unique, the Greek says:
θεὸν οὐδεὶς ἑώρακεν πώποτε· μονογενὴς θεὸς ὁ ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ πατρὸς ...
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Can αδελφοί refer to cousins?
Matthew 13:55-56a (ESV)
Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us?
SBLGNT
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Translation of "this generation will not pass away" in Matthew 24:34?
I'm curious specifically regarding the translation of the word "generation" here in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32.
Matthew 24:34 (NIV)
Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly ...
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In 1 Tim 2:12, how does αὐθεντεῖν (αὐθεντεω) differ from the more commonly used ἐξουσιάζω?
SBLGNT:
διδάσκειν δὲ γυναικὶ οὐκ ἐπιτρέπω, οὐδὲ αὐθεντεῖν ἀνδρός, ἀλλ’ εἶναι ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ.
From what I can tell, this is the only use of any form of this word (often translated "to exercise authority"...
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Is it appropriate to translate Galatians 3:21 as "If a law had been given"?
I do not read Hebrew or Greek but my interpretation of Pauline epistles is different than traditional protestants.
Gal 3:21 (ESV) Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! ...
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Those who believe are "especially" saved?
1 Timothy 4:10 (NET, emphasis mine) reads:
In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.
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What are the translations of the Greek word μονογενής in Ancient Versions?Is it "only" or "only-begotten"?
What are the translations of the Greek word μονογενής in Ancient Versions?
What are the rendering of μονογενής into Ancient Versions of the *NT passages?
Hebrew
Arabic:
Ethiopic:
Syriac (Aramaic):
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In Ephesians 2:2, to what or whom does "the authority of the air" refer?
In Eph. 2:2, it is written,
in which once ye did walk according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of ...
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What does John 3:16 mean by "perish"?
John 3:14-16 (ESV):
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world,...
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Mark 7:19 - Does Jesus Really Declare "All Foods Clean?"
The KJV and NASB transliterations of this verse do not seem to be 100% correct.
Greek Word for word in Context
"since not it enters her/he into mind/soul, rather/but, into the lower belly (...
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Sabbath, Sabbaths or week? Matthew 28:1
Reading in Matthew 28:1 (ESV):
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν ...
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Imperfect Indicative Active in John 1:1-4
John 1:1 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any ...
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Meaning of ἐνδημέω and ἐκδημέω in 2 Cor 5?
I was studying 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 when I noticed that two terms that play a major part in its interpretation are very unusual Greek words:
ἐνδημέω - endēmeō
ἐκδημέω - ekdēmeō
They are clearly ...
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What does μή μου ἅπτου mean in John 20:17?
Much depends on how you translate the present middle imperative verb ἅπτου. Robertson's interpretation is "stop clinging" because "don't touch" would be aorist middle imperative. ...
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Did Chrysostom's Text Say a "Double Sabbath" was One Day? or Two?
Related:
- What does sabbaton deuteroproton in Luke 6:1 refer to?
- Do Idioms Used in the Crucifixion Narrative Resolve the "3 Day/3 Night" Objections?
1. Question:
Homilies on Matthew (...
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Since BDAG says "και" suggests a semantic aspect at Titus 2:13 that justifies that “our Great God” is the Father and not Jesus, is και adjunctive?
Since BDAG says "και" suggests a semantic aspect at Titus 2:13 that justifies that “our Great God” is the Father and not Jesus, is και adjunctive?
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In Hebrews 1:2, to what does the Greek word «αἰῶνας» refer?
In Heb. 1:1-2, the Greek text according to the Textus Receptus states,
Αʹ Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ θεὸς λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις Βʹ ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ...
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What does "Christian" mean (Acts 11:26)?
The word "Christian" is first used in Acts 11:26.
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a significant number of ...
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What does the Greek word θεότητος in Colossians 2:9 mean?
The Greek word θεότητος is translated differently in English Bibles:
Colossians 2:9
New Living Translation For in Christ lives all the fullness of God
in a human body.
New American ...
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In 2 Peter 1:4 what does Peter mean by "partakers of the divine nature"?
3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his ...
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What is the difference between πιστεύων ἐν αὐτῷ and πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν?
ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ 3:15-16 (SBLGNT)
15 ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐν αὐτῷ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. 16 Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλὰ ...
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Should Matthew 28:17b be understood in a "partitive" or "inclusive" sense?
There are two distinct linguistic issues in the latter part of Matthew 28:17, which reads this way (NA28 = SBL GNT = UBS4) -
καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν,a οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν.
kai idontes auton ...
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What is the correct translation of ἁμαρτίαν in 2 Corinthians 5:21? What did God make Jesus?
The Greek text of 2 Cor. 5:21 has been translated in various ways:
τὸν γὰρ μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησεν ἵνα ἡμεῖς γινώμεθα δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ
If the translation of ἁμαρτίαν ...