Simplified Grammatical Terms of the Koiné Greek

If you are a serious student of the Word of God, you should be aware of Koiné Greek terms and their usage and significance. Why? Because there are only a handful of churches and clergy who teach from the original languages of Scripture (when in reality, each and every pastor and teacher of the Word of God should definitely teach from the original languages). Those who do not understand the grammatical usage of the Koiné Greek are misinterpreting even the most basic doctrines, in many cases.


Side note: It is one thing to understand and apply these rules of Greek grammar, it is entirely another to also interpret the Scripture passage(s) in the time each book was written, and to whom the books or letters were addressed. These factors (and many others) contribute in a major way to proper interpretation. This is the reason for the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher – one who studies in seminary and learns all of the ins and outs of proper Scripture interpretation.

God did not leave interpretation up to the individual believer, as this would (and has) lead to sects and denominations based on one’s personal interpretation of Scripture (Joe or Sally sits down and applies basic rules of Koiné Greek and comes up with their interpretation of a passage, chapter, or book of the Bible without taking into account all aspects of said interpretation, which ultimately leads to the teaching of false doctrines; uneducated, personal Biblical interpretations/opinions of the average believer should never be taken as gospel, never be taken as factual, never be taken as anything other than opinions, which, in this case, are better left unspoken). Proper interpretation is best left to those who have studied how to do so properly. As such, this lesson is a basic outline of how Koiné Greek works, and should not be used as a tool for one’s own interpretation of any Scripture. This lesson exists to shed light upon Scripture accuracy in the original texts.


The original language of the New Testament leaves absolutely no doubt whatsoever as to the exact meaning of the parts of speech in each verse of Scripture. There is therefore no excuse for denominationalism, which is a tool of satan to stir contention within the church. Every church should be a Christian Bible Church, independently functioning and teaching the exact same doctrine.

God is not the author of confusion. He spoke very clearly when He instructed the writers of Scripture. Furthermore, God personally guided their hand as they wrote.

The authenticity, accuracy, and exact word for word usage and meaning are guaranteed by God Himself. Now, I hope you understand just who and what we are dealing with here: the Word of God, which in the original writing is absolutely infallible.

The following terms will dramatically illustrate the importance and exactness even more. So, the next time somebody questions you regarding interpretation, let them have a look at this simplified grammatical outline.

1). THE TENSES

  1. Definition: A tense is an expression of the action or the time of the verb.
  2. Types of tense: There are three different kinds of tenses in the Greek: the continuous tense, the completed tense, and the occurring tense.
  • The Continuous Tense: action goes on habitually – either in the past or in the present. This may be either the present tense or the imperfect tense. The present tense implies action in the present time; the imperfect tense indicates continuous action in past time. The dramatic present focuses attention on a dramatic occurrence in history.
  • The Completed Tense: action itself has been completed but its results continue. This tense is called the perfect tense. Example: Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace are ye saved…” The tense of “to save” means that although salvation was provided for us in the past, its results will continue forever. Thus this phrase should be translated, “For by grace have you been saved in the past with the result that you keep on being saved forever through faith…”
  • The Occurring Tense: action of the verb is presently in progress. This is the aorist tense. Basic among these are the point of time aorist and the once-and-for-all-time aorist. Example: Acts 16:31: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…” In one point of time you believe in Christ, and in that very point of time you are saved for all time. Both types of aorist are found in this verse; thus Acts 16:31 should read: “Believe in a point of time, on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved once and for all…”

2). THE VOICES

  1. Definition: The voice of the verb expresses the relationship between the subject and the verb.
  2. Types of Voice: Three kinds of voice exist in the Greek: the active voice, the passive voice, and the middle voice.
  • The Active Voice: subject produces the action of the verb. Example: Acts 16:31: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…” The active voice of “believe” indicates that you, the subject, have to believe in Christ to be saved.
  • The Passive Voice: subject benefits by the action of the verb. Example: John 15:16, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” The middle voice is found in “I have chosen you” and is properly rendered, “You have not chosen me for your benefit, but I have chosen you for my benefit.”

3). THE MOOD

  1. Definition: The mood affirms and relates the verb to reality.
  2. Types of mood: The most frequently used moods are: the imperative mood, the indicative mood, the subjunctive mood, and the optative mood.
  • The imperative mood: mood of command. Every Greek verb in the imperative mood carries with it the force of a command. Example: 1 Corinthians 11:25: “..this do ye…in remembrance of me,” is a command issued in regard to the communion table. Coupled with the present tense, this verse is an order for every believer to keep on partaking of the Eucharist at the Lord’s Table.
  • The Indicative Mood: mood of realty; indicates that an event actually occurred as indicated.
  • The Subjunctive Mood: potential mood; implies that an action could happen potentially.
  • The Optative Mood: expresses a wish, as in “I wish this would happen.”

4. THE FOUR CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

Definition: The Greek conditional clause states a supposition, and is classified on the basis of the condition it expresses.

  1. Second class condition: the viewpoint of unreality. Example: “If you will, but you will not” (Matthew 4:9).
  2. Third class condition: a matter of volition. Example: “If, and maybe you will, or maybe you will not” (1 John 1:9).
  3. Fourth class condition: the less probable future condition. Example: “I wish it were true, but it is not” (Acts 17:27; 1 Peter 3:14-17).

This “Simplified Grammatical Terms Of The Koiné Greek” has been quoted nearly verbatim from a book entitled The Trinity (pages 32-35) and is used by permission from RBT Bible Ministries.


One last thought in closing: Down through the centuries and the many translations during this period, changes in grammatical meaning and usage have occurred. In addition, some of the translators, although scholarly, may or may not have been saved. As a result, their personal viewpoint or belief may have just slightly altered the exact meaning from that intended by the original writers. Although, considering the human factor, the translators were astoundingly accurate.

Remember to distinguish in your mind the difference between the translators an the original writers of Scripture. In the original languages the accuracy is assured by God.

 

 

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