Exegetically Speaking

Some claim that John 1:1 states that Jesus is 'a god.' Others claim that it states that Jesus is God. What is in fact the best way of understanding the Greek language employed? Grammatical parallels can shed some light. Dr. Michael Licona is Professor of New Testament at Houston Christian University. His publications include Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?: What We Can Learn from Ancient Biography and Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock: What to say to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses when they knock on your door.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3CGfLrR M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3CHEbkM

In his previous conversation centered on Rom. 1:16-17, Roy Ciampa contextualized the unique phrase ἐκ πίστεως (translated there as, "through faith") in Greek writings generally and Romans in particular. He now studies this phrase throughout Galatians, with special reference to Gal. 2:16. In addition to his posts at Samford University and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary mentioned in the notes to the earlier episode, Dr. Ciampa has served as manager for integrated training at American Bible Society's Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship, lectured and taught internationally, and was earlier a missionary professor of biblical studies in Portugal where he served as a translator for the Portuguese Bible Society's contemporary Portuguese translation of the Bible. For more detail on the topic of this episode, see Roy E. Ciampa, "Habakkuk 2:4 in Galatians: Rewritings and Snippet Quotations," pp. 77-94 in Scriptures, Texts, and Tracings in Galatians and 1 Thessalonians.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4fYAKEC M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4eIrBiH

Nowhere in all known Greek writings is the precise phrase ἐκ πίστεως ("out of" or "from faith") found until the Greek version of Habakkuk 2:4, and some of the scribes transmitting that text altered it. It is this phrasing that Paul adopts in the crucial lines of Roman 1:16-17, and rewords elsewhere. What, then, was the intended sense of this unique wording? Dr. Roy E. Ciampa recently retired as S. Louis and Ann W. Armstrong Professor of Religion and chair of the Department of Biblical and Religious studies at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is currently teaching at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, where he was previously on faculty. His publications include The Presence and Function of Scripture in Galatians 1 and 2 (WUNT 2/102) and (with Brian Rosner) The First Letter to the Corinthians (PNTC). For more detail on the topic of this episode, see Roy E. Ciampa, "Habakkuk 2:4 in Romans: Echoes, Allusions, and Rewriting," pp. 11-29 of Scripture, Texts, and Tracings in Romans.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/40QfwEB M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4fLnZxd

The Greek language Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15 to convey the gospel's teaching of Jesus' resurrection lodges this in authoritative tradition dating back to months after the events. The center of God's self-revelation and salvation is more firmly attested than anything else in Scripture. Dr. Gary Habermas is Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Divinity, Liberty University, Virginia. His many important publications include, On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences and On the Resurrection, Volume 2: Refutations; there will be two more volumes in the series.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3O8yMWg M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/40JbMVx

What happens when your modern English translation renders the meaning of biblical names, connecting this with the practices of the ancient Hebrews and traditional Native Americans? Terry M. Wildman, of Ojibwe and Yaqui ancestry, is the Lead Translator, Editor, and Project Manager of the First Nations Version. He is the Director of Spiritual Growth and Leadership Development for Native InterVarsity, and the founder of the non-profit Rain Ministries. He has previously served as a pastor and worship leader. Terry and his wife, Darlene, live in Maricopa, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the Pima and Tohono O'odham. Together, they are the Grammy-nominated and Nammy award-winning musical duo and recording artists known as RainSong.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4e00ejF M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3A3ZDQd

An important verb in Gal. 5:2 could be either passive voice or middle voice. It is translated, "if you accept circumcision" (ESV) or "if ye be circumcised" (KJV) or "if you have yourselves circumcised" (NAB). Verse 4 is sometimes translated, "You are severed from Christ" (ESV) or "You . . . have been alienated from Christ" (NIV). Consideration of the Greek wording is critical for our understanding. Dr. Jeremiah Coogan, Assistant Professor of New Testament at the Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University, is an alum of Wheaton College's Classical Languages major. He was the 2021 recipient of the Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament Scholarship, and his publications include Eusebius the Evangelist: Rewriting the Fourfold Gospel in Late Antiquity (Oxford University Press).

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48lnN5o M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3UnbIXs

Does Rom. 13:1 leave room for sanctioned rebellion against a government? Take 1775 for example. Dr. Michael Bird is Deputy Principal and Lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College (Melbourne, Australia). His many publications include Romans: Greek-English Interlinear | Paraphrase | Study Notes, Jesus among the gods: Early Christology in the Greco-Roman World, and (with N. T. Wright) Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3Y9f6X7 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4dUMkzo

In Jesus' prayer of John 17 he prays for future generations of believers with special emphasis on their oneness. Karen Jobes provides a close reading of the Greek of this astonishing and vital passage. Dr. Karen Jobes is Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis, Emerita, at Wheaton College & Graduate School. She has authored many books and articles, including John Through Old Testament Eyes: A Background and Application Commentary, and commentaries on Esther, 1 Peter, and 1, 2, 3 John. She served for years on the Committee for Bible Translation (responsible for the NIV translation of the Bible).

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3XW4quI M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3By5Tjq

Greek verbs have been traditionally labeled "tenses," but many grammarians have for some time argued that "tense" is not the best way to explain what is going on. The linguistic category of "aspect" is a more powerful theoretical explanation. But what is "verbal aspect" and how does this theory affect the reading of Greek texts? Dr. Constantine Campbell is Professor and Research Director at the Sydney College of Divinity (Norwest, Australia). He has published widely on Koiné Greek grammar and the New Testament writings. Examples include, Basics of Verbal Aspect in Biblical Greek and The Letter to the Ephesians. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. He is also a jazz saxophonist and a visiting instructor at The Australian National University School of Music.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4elFSSP M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3zDIfl0

Because he was known for his baptisms, and because English transliterates the Greek words, John's nickname as "the Baptist" provokes little thought. It ought to. Dr. James F. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University. His publications include Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist and (forthcoming), John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer. He co-edited, The Mandaean Book of John: Critical Edition, Translation, and Commentary.

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3Blt406 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3zpFfIW