1
Ἄγε νῦν οἱ πλούσιοι, κλαύσατε ὀλολύζοντες ἐπὶ ταῖς ταλαιπωρίαις ὑμῶν ταῖς ἐπερχομέναις.
Come now, you rich, weep and howl over the miseries that are coming upon you.
Apostrophe / denunciationasyndetonAn abrupt prophetic apostrophe (Ἄγε νῦν, as 4:13) turning to address the rich — not believers exhorted but oppressors arraigned, in the tone of the OT woe-oracle.
ἌγεcomePres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἄγωinterjectional imperative→ fixed interjection ('come now!')ἄγε: lit. 'lead/bring,' but frozen as an attention-getting interjection; with the plural address it functions adverbially (cf. 4:13).
νῦνnowtemporal adverbνῦν: 'now'; reinforces the summons, fixing attention on the present hour of reckoning.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with πλούσιοι, vocatival nom.)
πλούσιοιrichNominativenominative of address (vocatival)πλούσιος: 'rich, wealthy'; here the oppressive landowners, addressed as a class (cf. 2:6–7), not necessarily within the church.
κλαύσατεweepAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κλαίωmain verb (command)→ ingressive aorist (burst into weeping)κλαίω: 'weep, wail'; loud, demonstrative grief — the lament of impending doom, not penitence.
ὀλολύζοντεςhowlingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὀλολύζωparticiple of manner (with κλαύσατε)→ present (accompanying wailing)ὀλολύζω: 'howl, shriek'; onomatopoeic NT hapax, frequent in LXX prophets for the wail of judgment (Isa 13:6; 15:3).
ἐπὶoverpreposition (+ dat.)ἐπί + dat. here causal/occasional: 'on account of, over.'
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ταλαιπωρίαιςmiseriesDativeobject of ἐπί (cause of weeping)ταλαιπωρία: 'wretchedness, distress'; the calamity (eschatological judgment) about to fall.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with ἐπερχομέναις)
ἐπερχομέναιςcoming uponPres Mid Ptc · Dat Pl Fem · ἐπέρχομαιattributive participle (modifies ταλαιπωρίαις)→ futuristic present (the certain, impending onset)ἐπέρχομαι: 'come upon, befall'; the present participle pictures the disaster already on its way.
2
ὁ πλοῦτος ὑμῶν σέσηπεν καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια ὑμῶν σητόβρωτα γέγονεν,
Your wealth has rotted, and your garments have become moth-eaten,
Indictment (perfect of certainty)asyndetonThree categories of ancient wealth — produce, clothing, precious metal (vv.2–3) — declared already ruined; the prophetic perfects treat the eschatological verdict as accomplished fact.
ὁtheNominativearticle
πλοῦτοςwealthNominativesubjectπλοῦτος: 'riches, wealth'; here perhaps stored grain/produce that rots — the first of three perishable treasures.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
σέσηπενhas rottedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · σήπωmain verb→ prophetic/proleptic perfect (the ruin as already done)σήπω: 'cause to rot,' intrans. perfect 'is rotten'; NT hapax — the decay of hoarded organic wealth.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἱμάτιαgarmentsNominativesubjectἱμάτιον: 'cloak, garment'; fine clothing was a stored form of wealth in antiquity (cf. Job 27:16; Matt 6:19).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
σητόβρωταmoth-eatenNominativepredicate adjective (with γέγονεν)σητόβρωτος: 'moth-eaten' (σής 'moth' + βιβρώσκω 'eat'); NT hapax — recalls the dominical word on moth-corruptible treasure (Matt 6:19–20).
γέγονενhave becomePerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιlinking verb→ prophetic perfect (settled outcome)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the perfect underscores a state already reached.
3
ὁ χρυσὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ὁ ἄργυρος κατίωται, καὶ ὁ ἰὸς αὐτῶν εἰς μαρτύριον ὑμῖν ἔσται καὶ φάγεται τὰς σάρκας ὑμῶν ὡς πῦρ. ἐθησαυρίσατε ἐν ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις.
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will devour your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days.
Indictment continued / verdictasyndetonThe rust of incorruptible metal — an impossibility taken as a sign — becomes courtroom testimony and consuming fire; the closing aorist exposes the folly: hoarding 'in the last days,' the very hour of judgment.
ὁtheNominativearticle
χρυσὸςgoldNominativesubjectχρυσός: 'gold'; with ἄργυρος, imperishable metal — its 'rusting' is rhetorical hyperbole signaling utter worthlessness.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἄργυροςsilverNominativesubject (compound with χρυσὸς)ἄργυρος: 'silver'; paired with gold for the proverbial sum of treasure.
κατίωταιhave corrodedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατιόωmain verb (sing. with compound subject)→ prophetic perfect (state of corrosion)κατιόω: 'rust through, corrode' (κατά intensive + ἰός); NT hapax — the impossible rust dramatizes the metal's ruin.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἰὸςcorrosionNominativesubjectἰός: 'rust, poison, venom'; the corrosion that 'witnesses' — also the word for venom in 3:8, perhaps echoed.
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive of source (the metals')
εἰςforpreposition (+ acc., purpose/result)εἰς + acc. here predicative ('serve as'), a Semitic-flavored idiom.
μαρτύριονa witnessAccusativepredicate accusative (with ἔσται)μαρτύριον: 'testimony, evidence'; the rust testifies against them in the eschatological court (cf. Mark 6:11).
ὑμῖνagainst youDativedative of disadvantage
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive futureεἰμί: copula; the future shifts to the day of judgment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φάγεταιwill devourFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb→ predictive futureἐσθίω: 'eat'; here the corrosion 'eats' their flesh — the wealth's decay turned upon its owners.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
σάρκαςfleshAccusativedirect objectσάρξ (pl.): 'flesh, body'; the plural (as Rev 19:18) suggests the masses of flesh fattened in v.5.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introduces the simile of consuming fire.
πῦρfireNominativenominative of comparison (with ὡς)πῦρ: 'fire'; the eschatological image of judgment's devouring.
ἐθησαυρίσατεyou have stored up treasureAor Act Indic 2 Pl · θησαυρίζωmain verb→ constative aorist (the whole life of hoarding)θησαυρίζω: 'lay up, hoard'; the bitter irony — they amassed treasure precisely 'in the last days' (cf. Rom 2:5).
ἐνinpreposition (+ dat., temporal)ἐν + dat. here temporal: 'in/during.'
ἐσχάταιςlastDativeattributive adjectiveἔσχατος: 'last, final'; 'the last days' — the present age now consummating, charged with eschatological weight (Acts 2:17).
ἡμέραιςdaysDativeobject of ἐνἡμέρα: 'day'; with ἐσχάταις, the eschaton already begun.
4
ἰδοὺ ὁ μισθὸς τῶν ἐργατῶν τῶν ἀμησάντων τὰς χώρας ὑμῶν ὁ ἀπεστερημένος ἀφʼ ὑμῶν κράζει, καὶ αἱ βοαὶ τῶν θερισάντων εἰς τὰ ὦτα κυρίου Σαβαὼθ εἰσεληλύθασιν.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you held back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have entered the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Ground of the woe (specific charge)asyndetonThe concrete sin behind the doom: withheld day-wages (cf. Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14–15). The wages and the harvesters' cries are personified as appealing to God — echoing Abel's blood and Israel's groaning in Egypt.
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particleἰδού: 'look! see!'; frozen aor. imperative of εἶδον, an attention-marker introducing the indictment.
ὁtheNominativearticle
μισθὸςwagesNominativesubject (of κράζει)μισθός: 'pay, wages'; the day-laborer's earnings, due at sundown by Torah, here unjustly withheld.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἐργατῶνlaborersGenitivegenitive (whose wages)ἐργάτης: 'worker, laborer'; hired field-hands dependent on prompt payment.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀμησάντων)
ἀμησάντωνwho mowedAor Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἀμάωattributive participle (modifies ἐργατῶν)→ constative aorist (the completed reaping)ἀμάω: 'mow, reap'; NT hapax — the harvest work whose pay is owed.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χώραςfieldsAccusativedirect object (of ἀμησάντων)χώρα: 'land, region, field'; here the cultivated estates of the rich.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὁwhichNominativearticle (substantizing ἀπεστερημένος)
ἀπεστερημένοςheld back by fraudPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποστερέωattributive participle (modifies μισθὸς)→ intensive perfect (the wage stands defrauded)ἀποστερέω: 'defraud, withhold, rob'; the perfect marks a settled injustice — wages stolen, not merely delayed.
ἀφʼbypreposition (+ gen., agency/source)ἀπό + gen. here marking the defrauding party ('on your part').
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἀπό
κράζειcries outPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κράζωmain verb→ vivid present (the wages keep crying)κράζω: 'cry out, shout'; the personified wage shrieks for justice (cf. Gen 4:10).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αἱtheNominativearticle
βοαὶcriesNominativesubject (of εἰσεληλύθασιν)βοή: 'shout, outcry'; NT hapax — the clamor for redress, echoing Israel's cry from Egypt (Exod 2:23).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with θερισάντων)
θερισάντωνharvestersAor Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · θερίζωsubstantival participle (whose cries)→ constative aorist (the reaping done)θερίζω: 'reap, harvest'; synonym-pairing with ἀμάω above, emphasizing the toil unpaid.
εἰςintopreposition (+ acc., direction)εἰς + acc.: 'into.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ὦταearsAccusativeobject of εἰςοὖς: 'ear'; the anthropomorphism — the cries reach God's hearing (cf. Isa 5:9 LXX, the same Sabaoth-formula).
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; with Σαβαώθ, rendering YHWH Tsebaoth, the warrior-God who avenges the oppressed.
Σαβαὼθof Hostsindeclinable title (in apposition to κυρίου)Σαβαώθ: transliterated Heb. tsebaoth ('armies, hosts'); in NT only here and Rom 9:29 (both Isaiah echoes) — the Lord of the heavenly armies.
εἰσεληλύθασινhave enteredPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ intensive perfect (the cries have arrived and stand heard)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go in'; the perfect leaves the appeal lodged before God — judgment is now assured.
5
ἐτρυφήσατε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐσπαταλήσατε, ἐθρέψατε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σφαγῆς.
You have lived luxuriously on the earth and indulged yourselves; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
Indictment (the rich self-indulgence)asyndetonThree asyndetic aorists pile up the charge of self-indulgence: while the laborers cried, the rich feasted — fattening themselves, like cattle, for the very day they are being slaughtered.
ἐτρυφήσατεyou have lived luxuriouslyAor Act Indic 2 Pl · τρυφάωmain verb→ constative aorist (a life of luxury)τρυφάω: 'live in luxury, revel'; NT hapax — soft, voluptuous living at others' expense.
ἐπὶonpreposition (+ gen., location)ἐπί + gen.: 'on, upon.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, land'; the sphere of their fleeting indulgence, set against the coming judgment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐσπαταλήσατεindulged yourselvesAor Act Indic 2 Pl · σπαταλάωmain verb→ constative aoristσπαταλάω: 'live wantonly, give oneself to pleasure'; in NT only here and 1 Tim 5:6 — dissolute self-gratification.
ἐθρέψατεyou have fattenedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · τρέφωmain verb→ constative aoristτρέφω: 'nourish, feed, fatten'; the image of beasts fattened — unwittingly — for the kill (cf. Jer 12:3).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect objectκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self gorged on pleasure (here perhaps with the sense of gorging the appetite).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition (+ dat., temporal)ἐν + dat. temporal: 'in/on (the day).'
ἡμέρᾳa dayDativeobject of ἐνἡμέρα: 'day'; the irony — they feast 'on a day of slaughter,' i.e. while judgment is at the door.
σφαγῆςof slaughterGenitivegenitive of descriptionσφαγή: 'slaughter, killing'; sacrificial/butchering term (cf. Jer 12:3; Rom 8:36) — they are the fatted victims.
6
κατεδικάσατε, ἐφονεύσατε τὸν δίκαιον· οὐκ ἀντιτάσσεται ὑμῖν.
You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous one; he does not resist you.
Climax of the indictmentasyndetonThe charge climaxes: judicial murder of 'the righteous one' (collective or generic — the poor innocent; some hear a christological overtone). The closing line is read either as statement (he offers no resistance) or as question ('does he not oppose you?').
κατεδικάσατεyou have condemnedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · καταδικάζωmain verb→ constative aoristκαταδικάζω: 'condemn, give judgment against'; the rich manipulate the courts against the poor (cf. 2:6).
ἐφονεύσατεyou have murderedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · φονεύωmain verb (asyndeton)→ constative aoristφονεύω: 'kill, murder'; whether literal or the 'murder' of depriving the poor of life's means (cf. Sir 34:22).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
δίκαιονrighteous oneAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)δίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; generic/collective ('the righteous person'); the wronged innocent of the wisdom tradition (Wis 2:10–20).
οὐκnotnegative particleοὐ: factual negation.
ἀντιτάσσεταιhe resistsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀντιτάσσωmain verb→ gnomic/descriptive presentἀντιτάσσω: 'set oneself against, resist'; the righteous one, defenseless, does not retaliate (cf. 4:6, where God ἀντιτάσσεται the proud).
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object (of ἀντιτάσσεται)
7
Μακροθυμήσατε οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ἕως τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου. ἰδοὺ ὁ γεωργὸς ἐκδέχεται τὸν τίμιον καρπὸν τῆς γῆς, μακροθυμῶν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἕως λάβῃ πρόϊμον καὶ ὄψιμον.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain.
Inferential exhortation (turn to the brethren)οὖνThe inferential οὖν pivots from the doom of the rich to the consolation of the oppressed: since the Judge will act, be patient. The farmer's wait on the rains models faith's long, expectant endurance.
Μακροθυμήσατεbe patientAor Act Impv 2 Pl · μακροθυμέωmain verb (command)→ ingressive/constative aorist imperativeμακροθυμέω: 'be long-tempered, patient' (μακρός + θυμός); the keyword of the section — patient endurance, not mere passivity.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the consequence from the certainty of judgment (vv.1–6).
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate address resuming after the apostrophe to the rich.
ἕωςuntilpreposition/conjunction (+ gen., temporal)ἕως: 'until'; here with gen. noun, marking the terminus.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
παρουσίαςcomingGenitiveobject of ἕωςπαρουσία: 'presence, arrival, advent'; the technical term for Christ's royal return (cf. 1 Thess 4:15).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive (whose coming; subjective)κύριος: 'Lord'; here the returning Christ, whose Parousia is the horizon of patience.
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particleἰδού: 'look!'; introducing the illustrative example of the farmer.
ὁtheNominativearticle
γεωργὸςfarmerNominativesubjectγεωργός: 'farmer, husbandman'; the paradigm of patient, hopeful waiting on a harvest he cannot hasten.
ἐκδέχεταιawaitsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκδέχομαιmain verb→ gnomic present (the farmer's habit)ἐκδέχομαι: 'await, expect'; settled, watchful expectation of the crop.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τίμιονpreciousAccusativeattributive adjectiveτίμιος: 'precious, valuable, costly'; the fruit is 'precious' — worth the long wait.
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect objectκαρπός: 'fruit, produce, harvest'; the awaited crop, image of the eschatological harvest.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of source/productionγῆ: 'earth, soil'; the source from which the precious fruit comes.
μακροθυμῶνbeing patientPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μακροθυμέωadverbial participle of manner (modifies ἐκδέχεται)→ present (the ongoing patient waiting)μακροθυμέω: see v.7a; the farmer enacts the very patience commanded.
ἐπʼoverpreposition (+ dat.)ἐπί + dat. here of the object of patience: 'over, regarding (it).'
αὐτῷitDativeobject of ἐπί (= the fruit)
ἕωςuntilconjunction (temporal, + subj.)ἕως: 'until'; introducing the indefinite-temporal clause.
λάβῃit receivesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαμβάνωsubjunctive (ἕως-clause of anticipation)→ aorist subjunctive (the awaited point)λαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; the subject is the crop/earth receiving the rains (some MSS add ὑετόν 'rain').
πρόϊμονearlyAccusativesubstantival adj. (object of λάβῃ; = autumn rain)πρόϊμος: 'early'; NT hapax — the autumn rain that softens the soil for sowing (Deut 11:14 LXX).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὄψιμονlateAccusativesubstantival adj. (object of λάβῃ; = spring rain)ὄψιμος: 'late'; NT hapax — the spring rain ripening the grain; together they frame the whole patient interval.
8
μακροθυμήσατε καὶ ὑμεῖς, στηρίξατε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, ὅτι ἡ παρουσία τοῦ κυρίου ἤγγικεν.
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord has drawn near.
Application of the exampleasyndetonThe farmer-parable applied: 'you too' be patient and firm of heart, grounded (ὅτι) in the nearness of the Parousia — the perfect ἤγγικεν announcing an event imminent and looming.
μακροθυμήσατεbe patientAor Act Impv 2 Pl · μακροθυμέωmain verb (command)→ constative aorist imperativeμακροθυμέω: see v.7; resumed with emphatic ὑμεῖς.
καὶalsoadverbial/adjunctive ('too')καί here adjunctive: 'also, too.'
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic)σύ (pl.): emphatic — 'you too,' like the farmer.
στηρίξατεstrengthenAor Act Impv 2 Pl · στηρίζωmain verb (command, asyndeton)→ constative aorist imperativeστηρίζω: 'make firm, establish, strengthen'; fortify the inner resolve (cf. 1 Thess 3:13, also of the Parousia).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect objectκαρδία: 'heart'; the resolve and courage of the inner person.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounding the command in the imminent advent.
ἡtheNominativearticle
παρουσίαcomingNominativesubjectπαρουσία: see v.7; the advent of the Lord.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivesubjective genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; Christ, whose coming is near.
ἤγγικενhas drawn nearPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγγίζωmain verb (ὅτι-clause)→ intensive perfect (a state of nearness now obtaining)ἐγγίζω: 'draw near, approach'; the perfect (as in the kingdom-announcement, Mark 1:15) presents the advent as imminent and pressing.
9
μὴ στενάζετε, ἀδελφοί, κατʼ ἀλλήλων, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε· ἰδοὺ ὁ κριτὴς πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν ἕστηκεν.
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge stands before the doors.
Prohibition (community ethics under judgment)asyndetonPatience under oppression must not curdle into resentment within the community. The motive clause (ἵνα μή) and the vivid 'Judge at the doors' fuse the ethical and the eschatological — the same Lord who comes to vindicate also judges.
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive present impv.)μή: prohibitive negative.
στενάζετεgrumblePres Act Impv 2 Pl · στενάζωmain verb (prohibition)→ present prohibition (stop/do not be groaning)στενάζω: 'groan, sigh, complain'; here murmuring resentment against fellow-believers.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; tender address sharpening the warning.
κατʼagainstpreposition (+ gen., opposition)κατά + gen.: 'against.'
ἀλλήλωνone anotherGenitivereciprocal pronoun (object of κατά)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the mutual relations within the church.
ἵναso thatconjunction (negative purpose, + subj.)ἵνα: 'in order that'; with μή, negative purpose.
μὴnotnegative (in purpose clause)μή: negating the purpose.
κριθῆτεyou be judgedAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · κρίνωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ aorist subjunctiveκρίνω: 'judge, condemn'; echoing the dominical 'judge not, lest you be judged' (Matt 7:1).
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particleἰδού: 'look!'; dramatizing the Judge's nearness.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κριτὴςJudgeNominativesubjectκριτής: 'judge'; the Lord himself, the lawgiver and judge of 4:12.
πρὸbeforepreposition (+ gen., spatial)πρό + gen.: 'before, in front of.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
θυρῶνdoorsGenitiveobject of πρόθύρα: 'door, gate'; 'at the very doors' — about to enter (cf. Mark 13:29).
ἕστηκενstandsPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb→ intensive perfect with present sense ('stands')ἵστημι: perfect 'stand'; the Judge already stationed at the door, poised to act.
10
ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθίας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας οἳ ἐλάλησαν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου.
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Exhortation by example (the prophets)asyndetonA first paradigm of endured suffering: the prophets, who, though speaking for God, suffered — modeling the κακοπαθία (hardship) and μακροθυμία (endurance) now urged.
ὑπόδειγμαan exampleAccusativepredicate accusative / objectὑπόδειγμα: 'example, model, pattern'; a sample to be imitated (cf. John 13:15).
λάβετεtakeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (command)→ constative aorist imperativeλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; here 'take as your model.'
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κακοπαθίαςsufferingGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitive (with ὑπόδειγμα)κακοπαθία: 'suffering of evil, hardship, affliction'; NT hapax (cf. cognate verb in v.13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
μακροθυμίαςpatienceGenitivedescriptive genitive (with ὑπόδειγμα)μακροθυμία: 'patience, longsuffering'; the noun of the section's keyword (vv.7–8).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
προφήταςprophetsAccusativedirect object (of λάβετε)προφήτης: 'prophet'; the OT spokesmen, who suffered for their faithful speech (cf. Matt 5:12).
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐλάλησαν)ὅς: relative pronoun.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; their authorized prophetic utterance.
ἐνinpreposition (+ dat.)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματιnameDativeobject of ἐν (sphere/authority)ὄνομα: 'name'; 'in the name of the Lord' = by his authority and as his representatives.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; here YHWH, on whose behalf the prophets spoke.
11
ἰδοὺ μακαρίζομεν τοὺς ὑπομείναντας· τὴν ὑπομονὴν Ἰὼβ ἠκούσατε, καὶ τὸ τέλος κυρίου εἴδετε, ὅτι πολύσπλαγχνός ἐστιν ὁ κύριος καὶ οἰκτίρμων.
Behold, we call blessed those who endured; you have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's purpose, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Beatitude + example (Job)asyndetonA makarism on the endurers, then Job as the supreme pattern — whose 'end' (the Lord's purpose/outcome) discloses God's character: not the testing alone but the merciful denouement (Job 42).
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particleἰδού: 'look!'; calling attention to the beatitude.
μακαρίζομενwe call blessedPres Act Indic 1 Pl · μακαρίζωmain verb→ gnomic/customary presentμακαρίζω: 'pronounce blessed, count happy'; in NT only here and Luke 1:48.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantizing the participle)
ὑπομείνανταςthose who enduredAor Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ὑπομένωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ constative aorist (their endurance as a whole)ὑπομένω: 'remain under, endure, persevere'; steadfastness under trial (cf. 1:12).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑπομονὴνenduranceAccusativedirect object (of ἠκούσατε)ὑπομονή: 'steadfast endurance, perseverance'; the keyword of 1:3–4, now embodied in Job.
Ἰὼβof JobGenitivegenitive (whose endurance; indeclinable)Ἰώβ: Job, the proverbial sufferer; NT hapax — exemplar of endurance vindicated.
ἠκούσατεyou have heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the readers know the story from synagogue/scripture.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
τέλοςpurposeAccusativedirect object (of εἴδετε)τέλος: 'end, outcome, goal, purpose'; 'the Lord's τέλος' = the outcome God brought about (Job's restoration), disclosing his merciful aim.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; the τέλος the Lord wrought, not Job's own end.
εἴδετεyou have seenAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive'; here 'see' = perceive/understand from the narrative.
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical/content)ὅτι: 'that'; unpacking what the τέλος reveals.
πολύσπλαγχνόςvery compassionateNominativepredicate adjectiveπολύσπλαγχνος: 'very compassionate' (πολύς + σπλάγχνα 'inward affections'); NT hapax — coined on the OT 'merciful and gracious' formula (Exod 34:6).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb→ stative presentεἰμί: copula.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; the God whose mercy is the lesson of Job.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἰκτίρμωνmercifulNominativepredicate adjectiveοἰκτίρμων: 'merciful, compassionate'; pairs with πολύσπλαγχνος, echoing Ps 103:8; in NT only here and Luke 6:36.
12
Πρὸ πάντων δέ, ἀδελφοί μου, μὴ ὀμνύετε, μήτε τὸν οὐρανὸν μήτε τὴν γῆν μήτε ἄλλον τινὰ ὅρκον· ἤτω δὲ ὑμῶν τὸ Ναὶ ναὶ καὶ τὸ Οὒ οὔ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπὸ κρίσιν πέσητε.
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven nor by earth nor by any other oath; but let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
Solemn aside (dominical word on oaths)δέAn emphatic 'above all' marks this off as a weighty maxim, closely paralleling Matt 5:34–37. The point is truthful, transparent speech that needs no oath; falsehood and casuistry incur judgment.
Πρὸabovepreposition (+ gen., 'before/above')πρό + gen. here of priority/importance: 'above all, before all.'
πάντωνallGenitiveobject of πρό (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; 'above all things' — flagging the maxim's special weight.
δέbuttransitional conjunctionδέ: mild transition to the new topic.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive present)μή: prohibitive negative.
ὀμνύετεswearPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὀμνύωmain verb (prohibition)→ present prohibition (make no practice of swearing)ὀμνύω: 'swear, take an oath'; the verb of oath-taking the maxim forbids (cf. Matt 5:34).
μήτεneithercorrelative negative conjunctionμήτε … μήτε: 'neither … nor.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
οὐρανὸνheavenAccusativeaccusative of oath (sworn by)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the acc. marks the thing sworn by (cf. Matt 5:34).
μήτεnorcorrelative negative conjunctionμήτε: 'nor.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνearthAccusativeaccusative of oathγῆ: 'earth'; the second forbidden oath-object.
μήτεnorcorrelative negative conjunctionμήτε: 'nor.'
ἄλλονotherAccusativeattributive adjectiveἄλλος: 'other, another.'
τινὰanyAccusativeindefinite pronoun (adjectival)τις: 'any, some'; generalizing the prohibition to every oath-form.
ὅρκονoathAccusativeaccusative of oath (object sworn)ὅρκος: 'oath'; every casuistic substitute the rabbis allowed is swept away.
ἤτωlet bePres Act Impv 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ imperatival present (let it stand as a rule)εἰμί: 3 sg. impv. (Koine ἤτω for ἔστω); 'let it be.'
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; contrasting truthful speech with oath-taking.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizing Ναὶ)
ΝαὶyesNominativesubject (of ἤτω; substantival)ναί: 'yes'; the affirmative, to be reliably true.
ναὶyesNominativepredicate nominativeναί: 'yes'; 'your yes (be) yes' — speech matching reality (cf. 2 Cor 1:17–20).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizing Οὒ)
ΟὒnoNominativesubject (of implied ἤτω)οὔ: 'no'; the negative answer.
οὔnoNominativepredicate nominativeοὔ: 'no'; 'your no (be) no.'
ἵναso thatconjunction (negative purpose, + subj.)ἵνα: 'in order that.'
μὴnotnegative (in purpose clause)μή: negating the purpose.
ὑπὸunderpreposition (+ acc., subjection)ὑπό + acc.: 'under.'
κρίσινjudgmentAccusativeobject of ὑπόκρίσις: 'judgment, condemnation'; the penalty for false or careless oaths.
πέσητεyou fallAor Act Subj 2 Pl · πίπτωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ aorist subjunctiveπίπτω: 'fall'; 'fall under judgment' — incur condemnation.
13
Κακοπαθεῖ τις ἐν ὑμῖν; προσευχέσθω· εὐθυμεῖ τις; ψαλλέτω.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Catechesis on prayer (question-and-answer)asyndetonThe prayer-section opens in a lively diatribe style: paired conditions posed as questions, each answered by a third-person imperative. Every mood of life is to be turned Godward — in petition or in praise.
Κακοπαθεῖis sufferingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κακοπαθέωmain verb (in question)→ descriptive presentκακοπαθέω: 'suffer hardship/affliction'; cognate of κακοπαθία (v.10).
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, anyone.'
ἐνamongpreposition (+ dat.)ἐν + dat.: 'among, in.'
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
προσευχέσθωlet him prayPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ present imperative (let him keep praying)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the keyword of vv.13–18, repeated in varied forms.
εὐθυμεῖis cheerfulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐθυμέωmain verb (in question)→ descriptive presentεὐθυμέω: 'be cheerful, in good spirits' (εὖ + θυμός); in NT only here and Acts 27:22, 25.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'anyone.'
ψαλλέτωlet him sing praisePres Act Impv 3 Sg · ψάλλωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ present imperativeψάλλω: 'sing (psalms), make melody'; orig. 'pluck (strings),' then sing praise (cf. Eph 5:19).
14
ἀσθενεῖ τις ἐν ὑμῖν; προσκαλεσάσθω τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ προσευξάσθωσαν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ἀλείψαντες αὐτὸν ἐλαίῳ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Catechesis on prayer (the sick)asyndetonThe third and fullest case: the sick believer summons the elders, whose prayer-with-anointing is offered 'in the name of the Lord.' Whether the oil is medicinal, symbolic, or sacramental is debated; the act is framed by prayer and the Name.
ἀσθενεῖis sickPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀσθενέωmain verb (in question)→ descriptive presentἀσθενέω: 'be weak, sick, ill'; bodily illness (the most natural sense here).
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'anyone.'
ἐνamongpreposition (+ dat.)ἐν + dat.: 'among.'
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
προσκαλεσάσθωlet him callAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · προσκαλέωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeπροσκαλέω: 'call to oneself, summon'; the middle, 'call for' the elders to come.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πρεσβυτέρουςeldersAccusativedirect objectπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the recognized leaders/officers of the congregation.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitivegenitive (whose elders)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; the local congregation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσευξάσθωσανlet them prayAor Mid Impv 3 Pl · προσεύχομαιmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ constative aorist imperativeπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the elders' intercession over the sick.
ἐπʼoverpreposition (+ acc.)ἐπί + acc. here 'over' (the prostrate sick).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί
ἀλείψαντεςanointingAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀλείφωcircumstantial participle (means/attendant)→ coincident/antecedent aorist (the anointing accompanying prayer)ἀλείφω: 'anoint, rub with oil'; the ordinary word for applying oil (vs. cultic χρίω) — hence debate over medicinal vs. symbolic intent.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (of ἀλείψαντες)
ἐλαίῳwith oilDativedative of means/instrumentἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; both medicine and symbol of consecration/healing in antiquity (cf. Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34).
ἐνinpreposition (+ dat.)ἐν + dat.: 'in.'
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματιnameDativeobject of ἐν (authority/invocation)ὄνομα: 'name'; the act done by the Lord's authority and with invocation of his name.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; Jesus, in whose name the church heals and prays.
15
καὶ ἡ εὐχὴ τῆς πίστεως σώσει τὸν κάμνοντα, καὶ ἐγερεῖ αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος· κἂν ἁμαρτίας ᾖ πεποιηκώς, ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick one, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Promise attached to the prayerκαὶThe promise: 'the prayer of faith' (not the oil) saves and the Lord raises. 'Save'/'raise' carry both physical (healing) and salvific overtones; sin, if present, is forgiven — sickness and sin loosely linked, not equated.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
εὐχὴprayerNominativesubjectεὐχή: 'prayer, vow'; here petition (cf. Acts 18:18 for the 'vow' sense) — the believing prayer.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πίστεωςof faithGenitivegenitive of quality/source ('faith-prayer')πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the prayer offered in confident faith — its efficacy lies here, not in ritual.
σώσειwill saveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save, heal, make whole'; deliberately ambiguous — bodily healing and ultimate salvation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (substantizing the participle)
κάμνονταsick onePres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · κάμνωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ present (the one being ill)κάμνω: 'be weary, be sick'; in NT only here and Heb 12:3 — the one worn down by illness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐγερεῖwill raise upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ predictive futureἐγείρω: 'raise, lift up'; from sickbed (and, by overtone, eschatologically).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; the true healer behind the prayer.
κἂνand ifconjunction (καὶ ἐάν crasis, conditional)κἄν (καὶ ἐάν): 'and if, even if'; introducing the conditional concerning sin.
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect object (of πεποιηκώς)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the plural, particular sins possibly bound up with the illness.
ᾖhe bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίsubjunctive (periphrastic, conditional)→ present subjunctive (with ptc., = perfect periphrastic)εἰμί: auxiliary forming the periphrastic perfect with πεποιηκώς.
πεποιηκώςhaving committedPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωparticiple (periphrastic perfect with ᾖ)→ intensive perfect (sins committed and standing)ποιέω: 'do, commit'; the periphrastic ᾖ πεποιηκώς = 'should have committed (and so be in a state of guilt).'
ἀφεθήσεταιit will be forgivenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive future (divine passive)ἀφίημι: 'release, forgive'; the divine passive — God forgives; impersonal 'it will be forgiven him.'
αὐτῷhimDativedative of advantage (of reference)
16
ἐξομολογεῖσθε οὖν ἀλλήλοις τὰς ἁμαρτίας καὶ εὔχεσθε ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων, ὅπως ἰαθῆτε. πολὺ ἰσχύει δέησις δικαίου ἐνεργουμένη.
Confess your sins to one another, therefore, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its working.
Generalizing inference (mutual prayer)οὖνThe inferential οὖν widens the elder-scene into a congregational practice: mutual confession and intercession aimed at healing. The closing maxim — the righteous person's prayer is mightily effective — grounds the whole and prepares for Elijah.
ἐξομολογεῖσθεconfessPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐξομολογέωmain verb (command)→ present imperative (make it your practice)ἐξομολογέω (mid.): 'confess, acknowledge openly'; the intensive ἐξ- = full, open confession.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the practice from vv.14–15.
ἀλλήλοιςto one anotherDativedative (indirect object; reciprocal)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; mutual, not merely to a priest/elder.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect objectἁμαρτία: 'sin'; (variant ἁμαρτήματα 'misdeeds').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὔχεσθεprayPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · εὔχομαιmain verb (command)→ present imperativeεὔχομαι: 'pray, wish'; cognate of εὐχή (v.15) — mutual intercession.
ὑπὲρforpreposition (+ gen., on behalf of)ὑπέρ + gen.: 'for, on behalf of.'
ἀλλήλωνone anotherGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (reciprocal)ἀλλήλων: 'one another.'
ὅπωςso thatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)ὅπως: 'in order that'; purpose of the mutual prayer.
ἰαθῆτεyou may be healedAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · ἰάομαιsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ aorist subjunctive (divine passive)ἰάομαι: 'heal, cure'; of bodily and/or spiritual healing (cf. Isa 53:5; 1 Pet 2:24).
πολὺmuchadverbial accusative (degree, with ἰσχύει)πολύς: here adverbial, 'greatly, much.'
ἰσχύειis powerfulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἰσχύωmain verb→ gnomic present (a standing truth)ἰσχύω: 'be strong, prevail, avail'; the prayer 'has great force/efficacy.'
δέησιςprayerNominativesubjectδέησις: 'petition, supplication'; earnest entreaty for a need.
δικαίουof a righteous personGenitivesubjective genitive (whose prayer)δίκαιος: 'righteous'; the upright believer (exemplified by Elijah, v.17).
ἐνεργουμένηin its workingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἐνεργέωadverbial/attributive participle (modifies δέησις)→ present (as it is energized/at work)ἐνεργέω: 'work, be effective'; famously ambiguous — 'when it is at work,' 'as it operates,' or (passive) 'when energized (by the Spirit)'; rendered of its effectual operation.
17
Ἠλίας ἄνθρωπος ἦν ὁμοιοπαθὴς ἡμῖν, καὶ προσευχῇ προσηύξατο τοῦ μὴ βρέξαι, καὶ οὐκ ἔβρεξεν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐνιαυτοὺς τρεῖς καὶ μῆνας ἕξ·
Elijah was a man of like nature to us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months;
Scriptural illustration (Elijah)asyndetonElijah proves the maxim of v.16b: a man 'of like passions' to us, yet his prayer governed the heavens. The cognate-dative προσευχῇ προσηύξατο (a Hebraism) intensifies — 'he prayed earnestly.'
ἨλίαςElijahNominativesubjectἨλίας: Elijah the prophet (1 Kgs 17–18); the paradigm of the praying righteous man.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativepredicate nominativeἄνθρωπος: 'human being, man'; stressing his ordinary humanity.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb→ stative imperfectεἰμί: copula.
ὁμοιοπαθὴςof like natureNominativepredicate adjectiveὁμοιοπαθής: 'of like feelings/nature, subject to the same' (ὅμοιος + πάσχω); in NT only here and Acts 14:15 — fully human, as we are.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of association/respect
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσευχῇwith prayerDativecognate dative (intensifying, Hebraism)προσευχή: 'prayer'; the cognate dat. with προσηύξατο = 'he prayed fervently/earnestly.'
προσηύξατοhe prayedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; with the cognate dat., the LXX-style emphatic construction.
τοῦthatGenitivearticle (with infinitive, genitive of purpose/content)τοῦ + inf.: articular infinitive expressing the content/aim of the prayer.
μὴnotnegative (with infinitive)μή: negating the infinitive.
βρέξαιto rainAor Act Inf · βρέχωinfinitive (articular, content of prayer)→ constative aorist infinitiveβρέχω: 'send rain, rain'; impersonal — 'that it not rain.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particleοὐ: factual negation.
ἔβρεξενit rainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βρέχωmain verb (impersonal)→ constative aoristβρέχω: 'rain'; the drought of 1 Kgs 17:1 (the '3½ years' from tradition, cf. Luke 4:25).
ἐπὶonpreposition (+ gen., location)ἐπί + gen.: 'on, upon.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth, land'; the land of Israel under drought.
ἐνιαυτοὺςyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἐνιαυτός: 'year'; with τρεῖς, the famous three-and-a-half-year drought.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativecardinal numeral (with ἐνιαυτοὺς)τρεῖς: 'three.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μῆναςmonthsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeμήν: 'month'; with ἕξ, completing the 3½ years (cf. Luke 4:25; Rev 11:2).
ἕξsixAccusativecardinal numeral (with μῆνας)ἕξ: 'six' (indeclinable, here construed acc.).
18
καὶ πάλιν προσηύξατο, καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ὑετὸν ἔδωκεν καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐβλάστησεν τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῆς.
and again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Completion of the illustrationκαὶThe drought's reversal at Elijah's renewed prayer (1 Kgs 18:42–45): heaven and earth respond — the very paradigm of the farmer awaiting rain (v.7) now answered through prayer.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάλινagaintemporal adverbπάλιν: 'again'; his second prayer, for rain's return.
προσηύξατοhe prayedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the same effectual prayer, now for rain.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
οὐρανὸςheavenNominativesubjectοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the source of the rain, responsive to prayer.
ὑετὸνrainAccusativedirect objectὑετός: 'rain'; the longed-for downpour (1 Kgs 18:45).
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the heaven 'gave' rain — God's gift through Elijah's prayer.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
γῆearthNominativesubjectγῆ: 'earth, land'; restored to fruitfulness.
ἐβλάστησενproducedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βλαστάνωmain verb→ ingressive/constative aoristβλαστάνω: 'sprout, bring forth'; the land yields its crop once more.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect objectκαρπός: 'fruit, produce'; echoing the 'precious fruit' of v.7 — prayer brings the harvest.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession
19
Ἀδελφοί μου, ἐάν τις ἐν ὑμῖν πλανηθῇ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃ τις αὐτόν,
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back,
Closing exhortation (protasis)asyndetonThe letter ends without formal closing — abruptly, on its pastoral burden: the recovery of a straying believer. A conditional protasis (vv.19) sets up the climactic promise of v.20.
ἈδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the final tender address.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐάνifconjunction (3rd-class condition, + subj.)ἐάν: 'if'; the probable/general condition.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (of πλανηθῇ)τις: 'someone, anyone'; any member of the community.
ἐνamongpreposition (+ dat.)ἐν + dat.: 'among.'
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
πλανηθῇwandersAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · πλανάωverb of protasis→ aorist subjunctive (passive/intransitive 'goes astray')πλανάω: 'lead astray'; passive 'wander, go astray, be deceived' — moral/doctrinal straying from the truth.
ἀπὸfrompreposition (+ gen., separation)ἀπό + gen.: 'from, away from.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ἀπόἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel-truth and its way of life (cf. 1:18).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιστρέψῃturns backAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωverb of protasis (2nd condition)→ aorist subjunctiveἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, return, convert'; here transitive — 'turn (him) back' to the truth.
τιςsomeoneNominativesubject (of ἐπιστρέψῃ)τις: 'someone'; the one who restores the wanderer.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object (of ἐπιστρέψῃ)
20
γινωσκέτω ὅτι ὁ ἐπιστρέψας ἁμαρτωλὸν ἐκ πλάνης ὁδοῦ αὐτοῦ σώσει ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐκ θανάτου καὶ καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν.
let him know that the one who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Apodosis / closing promiseasyndetonThe apodosis and the letter's final word: such restoration 'saves a soul from death and covers a multitude of sins' (echoing Prov 10:12). 'His soul' is most likely the wanderer's; 'covers sins' = procures forgiveness.
γινωσκέτωlet him knowPres Act Impv 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (apodosis; 3rd-person imperative)→ present imperativeγινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; 'let him be assured' — introducing the promise.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)ὅτι: 'that'; introducing the object of knowing.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizing ἐπιστρέψας)
ἐπιστρέψαςwho turns backAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιστρέφωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aorist (the act of restoring)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, restore'; the agent of conversion (cf. v.19).
ἁμαρτωλὸνa sinnerAccusativedirect object (of ἐπιστρέψας)ἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner'; the one who strayed, now reclaimed.
ἐκfrompreposition (+ gen., separation)ἐκ + gen.: 'out of, from.'
πλάνηςerrorGenitiveobject of ἐκπλάνη: 'wandering, error, deceit'; cognate of πλανηθῇ (v.19) — the straying way.
ὁδοῦof wayGenitivegenitive of source/apposition (the erring way)ὁδός: 'way, road, path'; the two-ways image of conduct (cf. Ps 1).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the sinner's)
σώσειwill saveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (content clause)→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save, rescue'; here from spiritual death — eschatological deliverance.
ψυχὴνa soulAccusativedirect objectψυχή: 'soul, life'; the person's true life (most read it as the wanderer's, not the rescuer's).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the sinner's)
ἐκfrompreposition (+ gen., separation)ἐκ + gen.: 'from.'
θανάτουdeathGenitiveobject of ἐκθάνατος: 'death'; spiritual/eternal death, the end of the way of error (cf. 1:15).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καλύψειwill coverFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καλύπτωmain verb→ predictive futureκαλύπτω: 'cover, hide'; 'cover sins' = secure their forgiveness, echoing Prov 10:12 (cf. 1 Pet 4:8).
πλῆθοςa multitudeAccusativedirect objectπλῆθος: 'multitude, great number'; the abundance of sins forgiven.
ἁμαρτιῶνof sinsGenitivegenitive (partitive/content, with πλῆθος)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the closing word of the letter — the gospel's grace over a multitude of sins.