Verse in Greek
αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα συμμαρτυρεῖ τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐσμὲν τέκνα Θεοῦ.
Focus Topic: Dative of Association and Content Clause with ὅτι
This verse presents a profound theological truth through syntactical precision. It features a present active indicative verb of joint testimony, a dative of association, and a content clause that functions as the message being confirmed.
Emphatic Subject: αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα
αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα (“the Spirit itself”) is emphatically placed. The use of the neuter form with the article and pronoun intensifies the identity and action of the Holy Spirit. Although neuter, theologically it refers to the personal Spirit of God.
Main Verb: συμμαρτυρεῖ
συμμαρτυρεῖ is present active indicative, 3rd person singular from συμμαρτυρέω (“to bear witness with”). The present tense indicates continuous, ongoing testimony. It describes a joint activity, not a one-sided declaration.
Dative of Association: τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν
This phrase is in the dative case, expressing the person or party with whom the Spirit bears witness — “to/with our spirit.” The phrase is best understood as a dative of association, emphasizing a cooperative internal affirmation:
| Phrase | Case | Function |
|---|---|---|
| τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν | Dative | Dative of association — “with our spirit” |
Content Clause: ὅτι ἐσμὲν τέκνα Θεοῦ
ὅτι introduces a content clause expressing what the Spirit affirms. The clause contains a present indicative verb that defines the believer’s status:
- ἐσμὲν — present indicative of εἰμί, 1st person plural: “we are”
- τέκνα Θεοῦ — “children of God” (predicate noun phrase)
The clause is not the object of the verb but the content of the joint testimony: “that we are children of God.”
Key Observations
- συμμαρτυρεῖ implies ongoing inner assurance — not just a one-time confirmation.
- The use of both spirits — the Holy Spirit and the human spirit — emphasizes mutual witness.
- τέκνα (children) rather than υἱοί (sons) highlights intimate family relationship, not just legal status.
Theological Weight Through Grammatical Precision
This short but powerful verse builds a doctrinal statement through grammar. The present tense and dative of association underscore continual internal affirmation by the Holy Spirit. The ὅτι-clause articulates the core truth of Christian identity — that we are God’s children — grounded not merely in emotion, but in divine testimony joined with our spirit.
