Insights into Biblical Greek Grammar and Syntax

St Paul, 2 Cor. 13: 11-13 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13:13 The grace of…

St Paul, 2 Cor. 13: 11-13 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13:13 The grace of…

​Sally A. Brown Elizabeth M. Engle Professor of Preaching and Worship Emerita Princeton Theological Seminary For Trinity Sunday the lectionary fittingly pairs two NT texts that contain early trinitarian formulas. In each case, the closing sentences of an entire NT book name the Godhead as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Matthew 28:19, we find…

Αcts of the Apostles 2:1-21 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2:2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 2:3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them,…

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary The text this Pentecost Sunday from ch 2 of The Acts of the Apostles falls into three sections. First, we witness the inrush of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ followers, gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem on the Jewish feast called Pentecost. Second, we hear varied…

St John 17:1-1117:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 17:2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 17:3 And this…

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary  Rhetorically, John 17 is prayer, overheard. The Son addresses the Father, praying as crisis looms for himself and those who have followed him. We are meant to lean in closely. The prayer’s opening verses comprise today’s reading. Homiletical prudence favors choosing either to focus on the profound…

St John 14:15-2114:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 14:17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because…

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s reading, John 14:15-21, is a continuation of Jesus’ parting words to his followers. Much of its vocabulary echoes  previous verses. Yet, this section presents a significant new element. Jesus discloses a dynamic of multidirectional, mutual love connecting Jesus, the Father, and Jesus’ followers. This love is…

St John 14: 1-14 John 14:1-1414:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 14:2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 14:3 And if I go and…