Original Text (Galatians 2:19)
ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα Θεῷ ζήσω.
Literal English Translation
For I, through the law, died to the law, so that I might live to God.
Phrase-by-Phrase Parallel Commentary: Koine vs. Classical
| Phrase | Koine Greek Usage | Classical Greek Usage | Convergence / Divergence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἐγὼ γὰρ | The pronoun ἐγώ is emphatic here. Koine often uses it to stress personal testimony. The particle γάρ introduces explanation or personal rationale—common in Pauline rhetoric to build logical or theological argumentation. | In Classical Greek, ἐγώ is usually omitted unless contrast or emphasis is required. γάρ is used for causal or explanatory statements, often in philosophical discourse (e.g., Plato, Xenophon). | Convergent: Both use γάρ similarly; the prominence of ἐγώ is more Koine and rhetorical in tone. |
| διὰ νόμου | Prepositional phrase with διά + genitive indicates agency or means. In Paul’s theology, “through the law” implies the law was the mechanism by which sin was revealed and death enacted. | In Classical Greek, διά + genitive also means “through” (means, agency, or even physical passage). Often found in legal or philosophical contexts—e.g., διὰ τῆς δικαιοσύνης. | Convergent: Identical syntactic construction; Koine invests it with heavy theological nuance. |
| νόμῳ ἀπέθανον | Dative of relation or sphere—“I died to the law.” ἀποθνῄσκω in the aorist active (1st singular). This expresses a decisive, completed action. Paul’s use of “dying to” is metaphorical and theological—legal death to the Mosaic system. | Classical Greek uses the dative similarly, especially in juridical or metaphorical language (e.g., dying in/by means of a cause). ἀποθνῄσκω retains the physical and metaphorical use in tragedy (e.g., Sophocles) and philosophy (e.g., Socrates on death). | Partially convergent: Dative of relation exists in Classical Greek, but Paul’s theological use (dying to the Law) is an innovation in Koine thought. |
| ἵνα Θεῷ ζήσω | ἵνα introduces a purpose clause, followed by aorist subjunctive ζήσω (“I might live”). The dative Θεῷ indicates relational orientation—“live for God.” Common in Pauline constructions that express redemptive purpose. | ἵνα + subjunctive is a classical construction, used in drama and philosophy. ζάω can be used for both physical and moral life. Living “to God” (Θεῷ) would be rare or poetic in Classical usage—divinities are rarely the object of personal dedication. | Divergent: Syntactically Classical, but the idea of “living to God” as a result of death to the Law is uniquely Pauline and Koine in its theological weight. |
Theological Lexeme Focus: νόμος and ζάω
- νόμος (law) in Classical Greek often refers to civic law or custom (e.g., νόμος τῆς πόλεως). In Koine and especially in Paul, it becomes a loaded theological term referring to the Mosaic Law, and by extension, the covenantal system.
- ζάω (to live) in Classical authors like Plato or Xenophon usually means biological life or virtuous life according to reason. Paul transforms it to mean spiritual life in union with God, often post-mortem or resurrectional in tone.
Function-Based Summary Grid
| Function | Koine Usage (Pauline) | Classical Usage | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhetorical Emphasis | Fronted ἐγώ asserts personal theological claim | Usually omitted unless contrast is required | Paul crafts personal testimony as theological argument |
| Means/Agency | διὰ νόμου = “through the Law” as the instrument of spiritual death | Neutral expression of agency | Koine use is juridical and spiritualized |
| Metaphor of Death | ἀπέθανον as theological rupture from the Law | Common metaphor for loss, defeat, or departure | Koine transforms it into a redemptive metaphor |
| Teleological Purpose | ἵνα… ζήσω = “so that I might live to God” | ἵνα used in logical or dramatic goals | Paul reorients life’s goal to divine relationship |
