Greek, the original language of the New Testament, is considered to be the most literary of all the ancient languages (see addendum). "Foremost philologists have agreed in pronouncing Greek the most expressive and beautiful of all earthly languages," wrote B. W. Blackwelder in his acclaimed Light from the Greek New Testament, pg. 15. A. T. Robertson wrote, "The most perfect vehicle of human speech thus far devised by man is the Greek. English comes next, but Greek language is a language of precision and a knowledge of the original language of the New Testament is decidedly helpful and informative." Take a case in point: Jesus said, "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…" (Matt. 16: 18). Some maintain that Jesus is promising to build his church on Peter; hence, the papacy. A knowledge of Greek, however, shows such is not the case. "Peter" is from the masculine Greek noun PetroV, transliterated and pronounced Pétros in English. "Rock" is the Greek petra, transliterated and pronounced pétra. Pétra is a noun of the feminine gender. Furthermore, the noun translated Peter (PetroV) "a detached stone" and "Rock" (petra) means "a mass of rock, as distinct from petros…" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine). Jesus did not say to Peter, "epi (on) sou (thee) PetroV (Peter)". Hence, from the Greek text you see two different nouns, two different meanings, and two different genders (some argue that these facts do not matter since Jesus probably spoke in Aramaic. However, in the event Jesus spoke in Aramaic, we must remember that Matthew was inspired as he wrote in Greek) . It would have been grammatically improper to have referred to Peter by using the feminine noun petra. (Most of the material comprising this article is found elsewhere in Bible Truths as part of separate articles. At the end of this article, you will find a list of the materials to read in full, should you so desire. Simply notice the numeric identification. In this case, the preceding statements are later identified by the numeral "1.")

     I want to impress upon you the fact that the Koiné Greek of the New Testament is not some "unintelligible Holy Ghost garble." The Koiné offered to the Holy Spirit a perfect language to express and preserve the final revelation from God to man (Jude 3; Heb. 1: 1, 2).

     From hapax we learn that Jesus' sacrifice was so sufficient only one offering was required (Heb. 9: 28). Also hapax is strong evidence that one can be saved and fall away (Heb. 6: 4, 5-9). Not only were those mentioned in the text of Hebrews 6 saved (some argue they were not really saved), but they were so "enlightened" to not require additional enlightenment. One small Greek word proves all of this, the word hapax, "once for all." (Just a small example of how powerful the language of the New Testament is and how effectively the Holy Spirit used it to graphically teach and emphasize truths, See number "1." below).

     There have been numerous false doctrines taught as a result of not understanding Greek grammar. In the case of pronouns and a lack of understanding of the grammar examine Romans 8: 26:

     Peter made this statement in response to some in the audience wanting to know what to do to be saved (vs. 23-37). Notice how "repent" (metanoésate) and "be baptized" (baptisthéto) are joined by the conjunction kaì. Some argue that baptism is more important than repentance; some contend repentance is more necessary than baptism. Some say baptism only (not baptism and repentance) is for the remission of sins. All these views are grammatically incorrect. Remember that kaì is a coordinating conjunction that joins items or elements of equal grammatical importance. Hence, baptism when preceded by repentance is for the remission of sins (see belief and baptism similarly joined in Mark 16: 16). Some play down "be baptized" based on the passive voice element. The full grammatical information regarding the posture of baptisthéto is third person, singular, aorist tense 1, imperative mood, and passive voice. A literal translation would be "get yourself baptized" (the subject is passive and being acted upon). However, how does this play down baptism? One repents for oneself; however, one is baptized by another. (Click on "Baptism, How, Who, When, and Why" to read more about baptism, be sure to use your browser return). (See numeral "2.")

      Prepositions express relationship. For example, in the sentence the book is in the desk, the English preposition "in" expresses a relationship between the book and the desk. It is a rule of English grammar that nouns following prepositions are always in the objective case. However, in Greek different prepositions take different cases. (See number "3" below.) One must be "in" (en) Christ to enjoy salvation, redemption, and all spiritual blessings (2 Tim. 2: 10; Eph. 1: 7; 1: 3). The Holy Spirit taught that one is baptized "into" (eis) Christ (Gal. 3: 26, 27).

     The Holy Spirit used prepositions in an apparent attempt to reveal God to man. In providence God is around his people (Ps. 125: 1, 2), in persecution he is for the saved (Rom. 8: 31), in preservation God is beneath his people (Deut. 33: 26, 27), and in united efforts to serve him, he is among those so united (Matt. 18: 20).

     The Holy Spirit taught and enhanced many truths by carefully using verb tense and the Koiné has preserved these truths for us. Take, for example, Jesus teaching in Matthew 19: 9:

     Some hold the view that when one remarries, regardless of circumstances, they are guiltless. Consider the verb Moichâtai, translated "committeth adultery." Moichâtai is 3 person, singular in number, present tense, and indicative mood. Many believe and teach that one who has been unscripturally or scripturally put away may remarry without guilt. Some contend that even if a divorce is unscriptural (not for cause of fornication), when one remarries such action frees the other and permits their remarriage. However, clause b forbids remarriage under these circumstances (moichâtai used again).

     One more example of the present.  We reference Galatians 1: 6, 7 when we talked about "another." Now consider the verses from the slant of the verb used.

     In fact, the Holy Spirit taught so many lessons in the grammar of the Greek New Testament that we could not even begin in a single article to mention them in any detail. These lessons are not only inspired, demonstrate the beauty of the original language of the New Testament, and illustrate the providence of God in their preservation, but they also reveal to man the will of the Almighty Creator. Let us ever humbly study God's word with an intent of applying it to our lives. (To read in full the material from which the above excerpts are taken, click on the following: "1," Lesson One of the Bible Truths Online Greek Course, "2," Lesson Six, "3," Lesson Seven, "4," Lesson Five.  For related material, click on "Greek, How Should a Knowledge of it be Viewed?")