Adjectives in New Testament Greek play a vital role in providing description, emphasis, and clarity. They enhance the meaning of the text by modifying nouns, functioning as predicates, or even standing alone as substantives. Understanding the different types of adjectives and their uses is crucial for interpreting the nuances of the Greek text accurately. This guide explores the various forms and functions of adjectives, offering clear explanations and examples from the New Testament.
This lesson covers adjectives in New Testament (NT) Greek, focusing on their types and functions, with examples from the NT.
Articular Attributive Adjectives
Definition: Articular attributive adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify and are preceded by the definite article.
An articular attributive adjective modifies a noun that is accompanied by the definite article (ὁ, ἡ, τό). The adjective is “articular” because it is linked to the noun through the article. The structure is:
Article + Adjective + Noun
Examples:
1. ὁ καλὸς ποιμὴν (John 10:11)
Translation: “the good shepherd”
– καλός is the adjective, meaning “good.”
– It modifies ποιμήν (shepherd) and is preceded by ὁ (the).
2. τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον (Luke 3:22)
Translation: “the Holy Spirit”
– ἅγιος (holy) modifies πνεῦμα (spirit) and follows the article τὸ.
3. ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος
Translation: “The good man” (Matthew 12:35)
Here, ἀγαθός (good) is an articular attributive adjective modifying ἄνθρωπος (man).
4. τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινόν
Translation: “The true light” (John 1:9)
ἀληθινός (true) is articular and attributive, modifying φῶς (light).
Anarthrous Attributive Adjectives
Definition: Anarthrous attributive adjectives appear without the definite article but still modify a noun.
An anarthrous attributive adjective modifies a noun without the definite article. The structure is:
Adjective + Noun
Examples:
1. ἀγαθὸν δένδρον (Matthew 7:17)
Translation: “a good tree”
– ἀγαθός (good) modifies δένδρον (tree) without a preceding article.
2. πιστὸς δοῦλος (Matthew 24:45)
Translation: “a faithful servant”
– πιστός (faithful) modifies δοῦλος (servant).
3. ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος
Translation: “A good man”
Here, ἀγαθός (good) is anarthrous and attributive, modifying ἄνθρωπος (man).
4. πιστὸς λόγος (pistos logos)
Translation: “A faithful saying” (1 Timothy 1:15)
πιστός (faithful) is anarthrous and attributive, modifying λόγος (saying).
Predicate Adjectives
Definition: Predicate adjectives describe the subject and occur with a linking verb like εἰμί (to be).
A predicate adjective makes a statement about the noun and is not directly modifying it. It often appears with a linking verb (e.g., εἰμί, “to be”). The structure is:
Noun + Linking Verb + Adjective
Examples:
1. ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν (1 John 1:5)
Translation: “God is light”
– φῶς (light) is a predicate adjective describing θεός (God).
2. ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο (John 1:14)
Translation: “The Word became flesh”
– σάρξ (flesh) is a predicate adjective linked to λόγος (Word) by ἐγένετο.
3. ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν (1 John 4:8)
Translation: “God is love”
ἀγάπη (love) is a predicate adjective describing θεός (God).
4. μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοί (Matthew 5:3)
Translation: “Blessed are the poor”
μακάριοι (blessed) is a predicate adjective describing οἱ πτωχοί (the poor).
Substantive Adjectives
Definition: Substantive adjectives function as nouns, often referring to people or abstract qualities. A substantive adjective functions as a noun, often because the noun it would modify is implied or omitted. It can stand alone and take the article.
Examples:
1. οἱ δίκαιοι (Matthew 25:46)
Translation: “the righteous”
– δίκαιοι (righteous) is a substantive adjective functioning as a noun.
2. τὸ ἀγαθόν (Romans 12:9)
Translation: “the good”
– ἀγαθός (good) functions substantively, referring to goodness.
3. τὸ μυστήριον τὸ ἀποκεκρυμμένον (Colossians 1:26)
Translation: “The hidden mystery”
ἀποκεκρυμμένον (hidden) is a substantive adjective modifying τὸ μυστήριον (the mystery).
Comparative Adjectives
Definition: Comparative adjectives express a comparison, typically ending in -τερος or -ιων.
Comparative adjectives compare two things and often end in -τερος or are formed with μᾶλλον (more). They are frequently followed by ἤ (than).
Examples:
1. μείζων ἐστὶν ὁ θεός (1 John 3:20)
Translation: “God is greater”
– μείζων (greater) is a comparative form of μέγας (great).
2. κρείττων θυσίαι (Hebrews 9:23)
Translation: “better sacrifices”
– κρείττων (better) is a comparative form of ἀγαθός (good).
3. μείζων ἐστὶν Ἰωάννης τοῦ προφήτου
Translation: “John is greater than a prophet”
μείζων (greater) is a comparative adjective.
4. κρείττων ἐστιν ἡ ὑπακοὴ θυσιῶν (1 Samuel 15:22, quoted in Acts 13:22)
Translation: “Obedience is better