ὁ γὰρ λέγων αὐτῷ χαίρειν κοινωνεῖ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς.
Definite Article and Articular Participle: ὁ λέγων
– ὁ λέγων: nominative masculine singular articular present active participle of λέγω, meaning “the one who says” or “he who says”
The article ὁ with the participle λέγων forms a substantival participial phrase, functioning as the subject of the main verb κοινωνεῖ. This construction allows the participle to stand on its own as a noun phrase.
γάρ as a Coordinating Conjunction
– γάρ: explanatory coordinating conjunction, “for” or “because”
It introduces the reason for the preceding command (i.e., not to greet or receive someone who does not bring the true doctrine). This explanatory clause provides the theological justification for that prohibition.
Dative Indirect Object: αὐτῷ
– αὐτῷ: dative masculine singular pronoun, referring to the deceiver or false teacher
It functions as the indirect object of λέγων and the implied address of the greeting χαίρειν.
Infinitive as Indirect Discourse: χαίρειν
– χαίρειν: present infinitive of χαίρω, meaning “to rejoice” or idiomatically, “greetings” or “hail”
Used idiomatically as a salutation, χαίρειν here functions as the object of λέγων. The infinitive in this context expresses what is said—an example of indirect discourse following verbs of saying.
Main Verb: κοινωνεῖ
– κοινωνεῖ: present active indicative, 3rd person singular of κοινωνέω, “to share in,” “to participate in,” or “to have fellowship with”
The subject of this verb is ὁ λέγων. The verb is used here with the **dative case** τοῖς ἔργοις to indicate the objects in which the subject is participating. The present tense expresses a general principle or habitual action.
Dative of Association: τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς
– τοῖς ἔργοις: dative neuter plural of ἔργον, “works” or “deeds”
– αὐτοῦ: genitive singular of αὐτός, “his” (referring again to the false teacher)
– τοῖς πονηροῖς: dative plural adjective modifying τοῖς ἔργοις, “evil” or “wicked”
Together, these words form a double dative construction:
– τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ = “his works”
– τοῖς πονηροῖς = “which are evil,” functioning as an attributive adjective
The whole phrase means: “he shares in his evil deeds.”
Syntactic Structure and Word Order
Greek often places emphasis by word position. Here, χαίρειν is placed before κοινωνεῖ, emphasizing that a mere verbal greeting is sufficient to implicate one in evil deeds. The heavy theological implication is grounded in a tightly controlled syntax.
Summary of Key Grammatical Features
- ὁ λέγων: articular participle, functions as subject
- γάρ: explanatory conjunction, linking to previous instruction
- αὐτῷ: dative indirect object, recipient of the greeting
- χαίρειν: infinitive as indirect discourse, idiomatic greeting
- κοινωνεῖ: main verb, present active indicative, “shares in”
- τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς: dative of association with attributive adjective
Theological and Linguistic Implications
This verse highlights how a seemingly innocent greeting (χαίρειν) becomes ethically and spiritually significant. In Johannine theology, κοινωνία (fellowship or sharing) is a deeply moral act. The grammatical construction suggests that speech acts themselves can carry complicity. The grammar underlines the writer’s seriousness in guarding doctrinal purity—not just in belief, but in social action and speech.
The use of the present tenses, articular participle, and the dative of association all contribute to a tightly framed warning against false fellowship, even at the level of ordinary interpersonal gestures.
