1
Περὶ δὲ τῶν χρόνων καὶ τῶν καιρῶν, ἀδελφοί, οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε ὑμῖν γράφεσθαι,
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you,
New topic (peri de)Περὶ δὲThe περὶ δέ formula introduces a fresh sub-topic, continuing the eschatology of 4:13–18: the timing of the day of the Lord. Paul disclaims any need to instruct them about it.
Περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
δὲnowtransitional conjunction (new topic)δέ: mild connective; with περί it forms the 'περὶ δέ' topic-shift formula (cf. 4:9, 4:13).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
χρόνωνtimesGenitiveobject of περί (reference)χρόνος: 'time' as duration/chronological span; paired with καιρός in the OT/Acts idiom for eschatological timing (cf. Acts 1:7).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
καιρῶνseasonsGenitiveobject of περί (coordinate)καιρός: 'appointed time, decisive moment'; the qualitative counterpart to χρόνος — the critical junctures of God's plan.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of direct addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; Paul's affectionate address to the congregation, frequent in this letter (4:1, 4:13, 5:4 etc.).
οὐnotnegative particle
χρείανneedAccusativedirect object of ἔχετεχρεία: 'need, necessity'; χρείαν ἔχω = idiom 'to have need.'
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; with χρείαν, 'to be in need of.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of advantage/indirect object
γράφεσθαιto be writtenPres Pass Inf · γράφωcomplementary infinitive (epexegetic to χρείαν)→ present (general)γράφω: 'write'; the passive infinitive — nothing 'needs to be written,' since they already know.
2
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς οἴδατε ὅτι ἡμέρα κυρίου ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτὶ οὕτως ἔρχεται.
for you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes just so, like a thief in the night.
GroundγὰρThe reason they need no instruction: they already know — and know precisely — the dominical teaching that the day arrives unannounced, like a burglar at night (cf. Mt 24:43; Lk 12:39).
αὐτοὶyourselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (subject emphasis)αὐτός (intensive): 'you yourselves'; underscores their own firsthand knowledge.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀκριβῶςaccuratelyadverb (manner)ἀκριβῶς: 'precisely, exactly'; their knowledge is not vague but well-instructed (cf. Lk 1:3; Acts 18:25).
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); settled, possessed knowledge.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject (anarthrous, qualitative)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'day of the Lord' (יוֹם יְהוָה), the OT motif of decisive divine intervention now centered on Christ's coming.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of relationship/possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; the OT 'day of YHWH' is transferred to the Lord Jesus.
ὡςlikecomparative particle
κλέπτηςa thiefNominativepredicate of comparison (subject of ἔρχεται)κλέπτης: 'thief'; the burglar simile stresses unexpectedness, not malice — an echo of Jesus' words.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
νυκτὶthe nightDativedat. of time (when)νύξ: 'night'; the hour of stealth — reinforcing the suddenness, and prefiguring the light/dark contrast of vv.4–8.
οὕτωςjust soadverb (correlative with ὡς)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; resumes the simile — 'so, in just this way, it comes.'
ἔρχεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ futuristic / gnomic presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present dramatizes the certain future arrival as a settled fact.
3
ὅταν λέγωσιν, Εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια, τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν.
When they say, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction comes upon them, like labor-pain upon her who is pregnant, and they will surely not escape.
Temporal contrastὅτανThe flip-side of suddenness: complacent false security ('peace and safety') is precisely when ruin strikes — as inescapably and abruptly as labor-pains seize the pregnant woman.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever'; ὅτε + ἄν, marking an indefinite/recurrent occasion.
λέγωσινthey sayPres Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive after ὅταν)→ present (general/iterative)λέγω: 'say'; the subject is the unwary world, lulled into a slogan of security.
ΕἰρήνηPeaceNominativenominative in direct quotationεἰρήνη: 'peace'; here the false complacency the prophets condemned ('peace, peace, when there is no peace,' Jer 6:14).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀσφάλειαsafetyNominativenominative in direct quotation (coordinate)ἀσφάλεια: 'security, safety' (lit. 'no stumbling'); possibly echoing imperial propaganda of the Pax Romana.
τότεthenadverb (apodosis marker)τότε: 'then, at that time'; the answering correlative to ὅταν — the very moment of false ease.
αἰφνίδιοςsuddenNominativepredicate adjective (proleptic w/ ὄλεθρος)αἰφνίδιος: 'sudden, unforeseen'; placed forward for emphasis — the abruptness is the point.
αὐτοῖςupon themDativedat. of disadvantage (w/ ἐφίσταται)
ἐφίσταταιcomes uponPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐφίστημιmain verb (apodosis)→ futuristic present (vivid)ἐφίστημι: 'stand over, come upon suddenly' (ἐπί + ἵστημι); often of an unexpected arrival (Lk 2:9; 21:34).
ὄλεθροςdestructionNominativesubject of ἐφίσταταιὄλεθρος: 'ruin, destruction'; eschatological perdition (cf. 2 Thess 1:9), not annihilation merely but irreparable loss.
ὥσπερlikecomparative conjunctionὥσπερ: 'just as'; a strengthened ὡς introducing the birth-pang simile.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ὠδὶνlabor-painNominativesubject of implied verb (comparison)ὠδίν: 'birth-pang'; standard apocalyptic image (the 'messianic woes'); sudden, inevitable, and intensifying.
τῇupon herDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom)
γαστρὶwombDativedat. in idiom ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχειν (be pregnant)γαστήρ: 'belly, womb'; ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχω = idiom 'to be pregnant.'
ἐχούσῃher who is pregnantPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · ἔχωsubstantival participle (dat. of disadvantage)→ present (ongoing state)ἔχω: in the idiom ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα, 'the pregnant woman' — on whom the pangs fall without escape.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative (part of emphatic οὐ μή)
μὴsurely notnegative (οὐ μή + subjunctive = emphatic denial)οὐ μή: the strongest negation in Greek — 'by no means, certainly not.'
ἐκφύγωσινthey will escapeAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἐκφεύγωsubjunctive of emphatic negation→ constative aoristἐκφεύγω: 'flee out, escape' (ἐκ + φεύγω); there is no fleeing the labor once it begins.
4
ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί, οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σκότει, ἵνα ἡ ἡμέρα ὑμᾶς ὡς κλέπτης καταλάβῃ·
But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief;
Adversative (contrast)δέThe emphatic ὑμεῖς δέ pivots from 'them' to 'you': believers are not in the darkness where the day could ambush them. The thief-image now turns on its head.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, fronted)ὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — sharply contrasted with the complacent 'they' of v.3.
δέbutadversative conjunction
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of address
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐστὲarePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σκότειdarknessDativedat. of sphereσκότος: 'darkness'; the moral-spiritual realm of ignorance and judgment, opposite to the 'light' of v.5.
ἵναthatconjunction (result/purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: here near-consecutive ('so that') — the darkness from which the day would ambush them is not their condition.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of καταλάβῃἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of the Lord, now articular — the eschatological event of v.2.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of καταλάβῃ
ὡςlikecomparative particle
κλέπτηςa thiefNominativepredicate of comparisonκλέπτης: 'thief'; resumes v.2 — but for the watchful believer the day is no burglar.
καταλάβῃshould overtakeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταλαμβάνωmain verb (ἵνα clause)→ constative aoristκαταλαμβάνω: 'seize, overtake, catch' (κατά + λαμβάνω); of an event surprising/capturing someone (cf. Jn 12:35).
5
πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ φωτός ἐστε καὶ υἱοὶ ἡμέρας. οὐκ ἐσμὲν νυκτὸς οὐδὲ σκότους·
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness.
Ground (basis of the contrast)γὰρThe reason: their very identity is 'sons of light and of day.' The Semitic idiom 'son of X' names them by their defining sphere. Paul slides to the inclusive 'we' (ἐσμέν).
πάντεςallNominativeadjective in apposition to ὑμεῖςπᾶς: 'all'; no believer is exempt from this status — universal within the church.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; 'sons of X' is a Semitism for those belonging to / characterized by X.
φωτόςof lightGenitivegenitive of quality/sourceφῶς: 'light'; sphere of revelation, salvation, and moral clarity (cf. Lk 16:8; Eph 5:8).
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)
ἡμέραςof dayGenitivegenitive of quality/sourceἡμέρα: 'day'; belonging to the day (of the Lord) and so unafraid of its dawning.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula; shift to 1st pl.)→ stative present
νυκτὸςof nightGenitivepredicate genitive (of source/quality)νύξ: 'night'; the realm forsaken — neither origin nor allegiance for believers.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction
σκότουςof darknessGenitivepredicate genitive (coordinate)σκότος: 'darkness'; the parallel negation rounds off the light/dark, day/night antithesis.
6
ἄρα οὖν μὴ καθεύδωμεν ὡς οἱ λοιποί, ἀλλὰ γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν.
So then, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay awake and be sober.
Inference (hortatory)ἄρα οὖνThe double inferential 'so then' draws the ethical conclusion from their identity (vv.4–5): three first-plural exhortations — not to sleep, but to be alert and clear-headed.
ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα: 'then, consequently'; with οὖν a strengthened inference (a Pauline favorite).
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; reinforces ἄρα.
μὴnotnegative (with hortatory subjunctive)
καθεύδωμενlet us sleepPres Act Subj 1 Pl · καθεύδωhortatory subjunctive (negated)→ present (general)καθεύδω: 'sleep'; here metaphorical spiritual torpor/indifference (cf. Eph 5:14).
ὡςascomparative particle
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantival)
λοιποίrestNominativesubstantival adjective (subject of implied verb)λοιπός: 'remaining, the rest'; the others — outsiders without hope (cf. 4:13).
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
γρηγορῶμενlet us stay awakePres Act Subj 1 Pl · γρηγορέωhortatory subjunctive→ present (durative)γρηγορέω: 'be awake, watchful' (from the perfect of ἐγείρω); eschatological vigilance (Mk 13:35).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νήφωμενlet us be soberPres Act Subj 1 Pl · νήφωhortatory subjunctive→ present (durative)νήφω: 'be sober, self-controlled'; clear-headed alertness, lit. abstaining from drunkenness (cf. v.7).
7
οἱ γὰρ καθεύδοντες νυκτὸς καθεύδουσιν, καὶ οἱ μεθυσκόμενοι νυκτὸς μεθύουσιν·
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
Ground (illustration)γὰρA proverb-like ground: sleep and drunkenness belong to night. By natural association, those of the day are to have nothing to do with such nocturnal stupor.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
καθεύδοντεςwho sleepPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καθεύδωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)καθεύδω: 'sleep'; the sleepers as a class.
νυκτὸςat nightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)νύξ: 'night'; genitive of time — 'by night, during the night.'
καθεύδουσινsleepPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καθεύδωmain verb→ gnomic present (general truth)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μεθυσκόμενοιwho get drunkPres Mid/Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · μεθύσκομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)μεθύσκομαι: 'get drunk' (ingressive of μεθύω); the act of becoming intoxicated.
νυκτὸςat nightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)
μεθύουσινare drunkPres Act Indic 3 Pl · μεθύωmain verb→ gnomic present (general truth)μεθύω: 'be drunk'; the state of intoxication — emblem of the night-world's heedlessness.
8
ἡμεῖς δὲ ἡμέρας ὄντες νήφωμεν, ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης καὶ περικεφαλαίαν ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας·
But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation;
Contrast + exhortationδὲReturning to 'we of the day,' Paul resumes the call to sobriety, now with martial imagery (cf. Isa 59:17): the triad faith-love-hope as defensive armor for the waiting community.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)ἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we' — believers, set over against 'those of the night.'
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἡμέραςof dayGenitivepredicate genitive (w/ ὄντες)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'belonging to the day' — the ground of the exhortation.
ὄντεςbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίcausal/concessive participle→ present (ongoing state)εἰμί: 'be'; the participle gives the basis — 'since we are of the day.'
νήφωμενlet us be soberPres Act Subj 1 Pl · νήφωhortatory subjunctive→ present (durative)νήφω: 'be sober/self-controlled'; resumes v.6 as the key imperative.
ἐνδυσάμενοιhaving put onAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐνδύωcircumstantial ptc. (means/attendant)→ constative aoristἐνδύω (mid.): 'put on, clothe oneself'; the arming metaphor — donning armor as a decisive act.
θώρακαbreastplateAccusativedirect object of ἐνδυσάμενοιθώραξ: 'breastplate'; the soldier's chest-armor guarding the heart — here faith and love (cf. Isa 59:17; Eph 6:14).
πίστεωςof faithGenitivegenitive of apposition/contentπίστις: 'faith, trust'; the first of the triad — the armor consists of faith.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγάπηςand of loveGenitivegenitive of apposition (coordinate)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving Christian love, paired with faith as the one breastplate.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
περικεφαλαίανas a helmetAccusativesecond object of ἐνδυσάμενοιπερικεφαλαία: 'helmet' (περί + κεφαλή, 'around the head'); guards the head — here hope.
ἐλπίδαthe hopeAccusativeaccusative in apposition to περικεφαλαίανἐλπίς: 'hope'; the third member of the triad — confident expectation of final salvation.
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitiveobjective/epexegetic genitiveσωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the object of the hope — eschatological rescue (v.9).
9
ὅτι οὐκ ἔθετο ἡμᾶς ὁ θεὸς εἰς ὀργὴν ἀλλὰ εἰς περιποίησιν σωτηρίας διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,
because God did not appoint us for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ground (basis of hope)ὅτιThe objective foundation of that 'hope of salvation': a divine appointment — not to wrath but to the gaining of salvation, mediated through the Lord Jesus.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔθετοappointedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristτίθημι (mid.): 'set, appoint, destine'; God's purposive placement of us — an electing act.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the sovereign agent of the appointment.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
ὀργὴνwrathAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal denied)ὀργή: 'wrath'; the eschatological judgment (cf. 1:10) from which believers are exempted.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
περιποίησινobtainingAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal affirmed)περιποίησις: 'acquiring, possession, obtaining'; the gaining of salvation as our destined end (cf. 2 Thess 2:14).
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitiveobjective genitiveσωτηρία: 'salvation'; what is to be obtained — final deliverance.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobject of διά (mediator)κύριος: 'Lord'; the agent through whom salvation comes.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to κυρίου
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
10
τοῦ ἀποθανόντος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν ἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν.
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him.
Relative expansion (Christ's work)asyndetonThe means is unfolded christologically: Christ's substitutionary death secures that, alive or dead at his coming, believers will live with him — the answer to the bereavement question of 4:13–17.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀποθανόντοςwho diedAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ἀποθνῄσκωattributive participle (modifying Χριστοῦ)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the once-for-all death of Christ on our behalf.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (substitution/benefit)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, in place of'; the standard preposition of atonement.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subjunctive)
εἴτεwhetherdisjunctive conjunction (first member)εἴτε … εἴτε: 'whether … or'; introduces the two alternatives.
γρηγορῶμενwe are awakePres Act Subj 1 Pl · γρηγορέωsubjunctive (first alternative)→ present (state)γρηγορέω: here 'be alive' (lit. 'awake'); not the vigilance of v.6 but a euphemism, paired with καθεύδω = 'be dead.'
εἴτεordisjunctive conjunction (second member)
καθεύδωμενwe are asleepPres Act Subj 1 Pl · καθεύδωsubjunctive (second alternative)→ present (state)καθεύδω: here 'be dead' (euphemism); the word shifts sense from v.6 — living or dead at the Parousia, the outcome is the same.
ἅμαtogetheradverb (strengthens σύν)ἅμα: 'at the same time, together'; with σύν stresses corporate union (cf. 4:17, ἅμα σὺν αὐτοῖς).
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)σύν: 'with'; the goal of salvation — union with Christ.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of σύν
ζήσωμενwe may liveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristζάω: 'live'; ingressive — come to (resurrection) life with him, the definite future shared life.
11
Διὸ παρακαλεῖτε ἀλλήλους καὶ οἰκοδομεῖτε εἷς τὸν ἕνα, καθὼς καὶ ποιεῖτε.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are indeed doing.
Inference (application)ΔιὸThe pastoral payoff of the eschatology (echoing 4:18): mutual encouragement and edification — with the gracious acknowledgment that they already practice it.
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore' (διʼ ὅ); draws the practical conclusion.
παρακαλεῖτεencouragePres Act Impv 2 Pl · παρακαλέωimperative→ present (ongoing command)παρακαλέω: 'exhort, encourage, comfort'; the same verb closing 4:18 — keep building each other's hope.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the reciprocal — mutual, congregation-wide ministry.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἰκοδομεῖτεbuild upPres Act Impv 2 Pl · οἰκοδομέωimperative (coordinate)→ present (ongoing command)οἰκοδομέω: 'build (a house), edify' (οἶκος + δέμω); metaphor of constructing the community's faith.
εἷςeach oneNominativenominative for reciprocal idiom (subject)εἷς … τὸν ἕνα: 'one … the one,' a Semitic-flavored reciprocal = 'each the other.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἕναotherAccusativeaccusative (object in reciprocal idiom)εἷς: 'one'; 'the one' as object — together 'one another.'
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, even as'; introduces the affirming comparison.
καὶindeedadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ποιεῖτεyou are doingPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (comparative clause)→ present (ongoing)ποιέω: 'do, make'; the commendation — the command only asks them to continue.
12
Ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς,
Now we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
New section (exhortations)δὲA fresh cluster of community-life exhortations begins. The first concerns leaders: to 'know'/value those whose threefold work is labor, leadership in the Lord, and admonition.
Ἐρωτῶμενwe askPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐρωτάωmain verb→ present (request)ἐρωτάω: 'ask, request'; a gentle entreaty, not a peremptory command.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of address
εἰδέναιto recognizePerf Act Inf · οἶδαcomplementary infinitive (content of request)→ perfect with present forceοἶδα: 'know'; here 'recognize, appreciate, value' — to acknowledge the worth of.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κοπιῶνταςwho laborPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · κοπιάωsubstantival participle (object of εἰδέναι)→ present (ongoing)κοπιάω: 'toil to weariness' (from κόπος, 'fatigue'); strenuous labor — the leaders' hard work.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προϊσταμένουςwho leadPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · προΐστημιsubstantival participle (coordinate)→ present (ongoing)προΐστημι: 'stand before, lead, care for' (προ + ἵστημι); leadership blended with protective care.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobjective genitive (w/ προϊσταμένους)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (in the Lord)κύριος: 'Lord'; their leadership is exercised within the sphere of Christ's authority, not personal.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νουθετοῦνταςwho admonishPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · νουθετέωsubstantival participle (coordinate)→ present (ongoing)νουθετέω: 'admonish, instruct, warn' (νοῦς + τίθημι, 'put in mind'); corrective counsel.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (of νουθετοῦντας)
13
καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ διὰ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν. εἰρηνεύετε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς.
and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Continuation + new imperativeκαὶThe request continues — superlative esteem in love, grounded in the leaders' work — then breaks into a terse imperative: live at peace internally (perhaps hinting at friction in the body).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡγεῖσθαιto esteemPres Mid Inf · ἡγέομαιcomplementary infinitive (coordinate w/ εἰδέναι)→ present (ongoing)ἡγέομαι: 'consider, regard, esteem'; to reckon their worth, here at the highest valuation.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (of ἡγεῖσθαι)
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦvery highlyadverb (superlative degree)ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ: 'beyond all measure' (ὑπέρ + ἐκ + περισσός); a triple-compound Pauline superlative (cf. 3:10; Eph 3:20).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of mannerἀγάπη: 'love'; the esteem is to be loving, not merely deferential.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἔργονworkAccusativeobject of διά (ground of esteem)ἔργον: 'work, labor'; the leaders are honored not for office but for their work's sake.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰρηνεύετεbe at peacePres Act Impv 2 Pl · εἰρηνεύωimperative→ present (ongoing command)εἰρηνεύω: 'be at peace, keep peace'; maintain harmony in the community (cf. Mk 9:50; Rom 12:18).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἑαυτοῖςyourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐν)ἑαυτῶν: reflexive 'yourselves'; here reciprocal — peace 'among one another.'
14
παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας.
And we urge you, brothers: admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient toward all.
Charge to all (parallel asyndeton)δὲThe charge now widens from leaders to the whole body: four asyndetic imperatives matched to four kinds of people — the disorderly, the discouraged, the weak — capped by patience toward everyone.
παρακαλοῦμενwe urgePres Act Indic 1 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb→ present (appeal)παρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort'; introduces the string of imperatives addressed to all.
δὲandtransitional conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of address
νουθετεῖτεadmonishPres Act Impv 2 Pl · νουθετέωimperative→ present (ongoing command)νουθετέω: 'admonish, warn'; correct the disorderly with a word fitly placed.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantival)
ἀτάκτουςunrulyAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object)ἄτακτος: 'disorderly, out of rank' (a military term, α-privative + τάσσω); the idle/insubordinate (cf. 2 Thess 3:6–11).
παραμυθεῖσθεencouragePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · παραμυθέομαιimperative→ present (ongoing command)παραμυθέομαι: 'console, encourage, cheer'; comforting words to the disheartened (cf. 2:11).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantival)
ὀλιγοψύχουςfaintheartedAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object)ὀλιγόψυχος: 'fainthearted, discouraged' (ὀλίγος + ψυχή, 'small-souled'); the anxious or despondent.
ἀντέχεσθεhelpPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀντέχομαιimperative (+ genitive)→ present (ongoing command)ἀντέχομαι: 'hold fast to, cling to, support'; take the weak by the hand and uphold them.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantival)
ἀσθενῶνweakGenitivesubstantival adjective (genitive object of ἀντέχεσθε)ἀσθενής: 'weak, feeble'; whether in faith, conscience, or constitution — the vulnerable.
μακροθυμεῖτεbe patientPres Act Impv 2 Pl · μακροθυμέωimperative→ present (ongoing command)μακροθυμέω: 'be long-tempered, patient' (μακρός + θυμός); slow to anger, forbearing.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (relation)
πάνταςallAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of πρός)πᾶς: 'all'; the patience is universal — toward every person, not only the easy ones.
15
ὁρᾶτε μή τις κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ τινι ἀποδῷ, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε τὸ ἀγαθὸν διώκετε καὶ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας.
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always pursue the good both toward one another and toward all.
Prohibition + positive commandasyndetonThe non-retaliation ethic of Jesus: watch that no one returns evil for evil; instead, make the active pursuit of the good your habitual practice, within the church and beyond it.
ὁρᾶτεseePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωimperative (introduces μή clause)→ present (ongoing command)ὁράω: 'see, watch out'; ὁρᾶτε μή = 'see to it that … not,' a vigilance formula.
μήnotnegative (with subjunctive of caution)
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the indefinite — guard the whole body lest any individual retaliate.
κακὸνevilAccusativedirect object of ἀποδῷκακός: 'bad, evil'; the harm one is tempted to return.
ἀντὶforpreposition + genitive (exchange)ἀντί: 'in place of, in exchange for'; the preposition of tit-for-tat repayment.
κακοῦevilGenitiveobject of ἀντί (the wrong received)κακός: 'evil'; the evil suffered, which one must not requite in kind.
τινιto anyoneDativedat. of disadvantage (indirect object)τις: 'anyone'; the recipient of the repayment — toward no one.
ἀποδῷrepaysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιsubjunctive of caution (after ὁρᾶτε μή)→ constative aoristἀποδίδωμι: 'give back, repay, render' (ἀπό + δίδωμι); the recompense forbidden (cf. Rom 12:17; 1 Pet 3:9).
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)πάντοτε: 'always, at all times'; the good is to be pursued without exception.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of διώκετε)ἀγαθός: 'good'; the beneficial good to be actively chased after.
διώκετεpursuePres Act Impv 2 Pl · διώκωimperative→ present (ongoing command)διώκω: 'pursue, chase' (even 'persecute'); zealous, energetic pursuit — not passive avoidance of evil.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καὶ)
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (relation)
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object of εἰς)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the good is owed first within the fellowship.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (relation)
πάνταςallAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of εἰς)πᾶς: 'all'; and then beyond the church, to all people without distinction.
16
Πάντοτε χαίρετε,
Rejoice always,
Staccato exhortation (1)asyndetonThe first of the rapid-fire imperatives — terse, asyndetic. Unceasing joy heads the list of marks of the Spirit-filled life.
Πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)πάντοτε: 'always'; joy is to be the constant disposition, not occasional.
χαίρετεrejoicePres Act Impv 2 Pl · χαίρωimperative→ present (ongoing command)χαίρω: 'rejoice, be glad'; the present calls for habitual, unbroken joy (cf. Phil 4:4).
17
ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε,
pray without ceasing,
Staccato exhortation (2)asyndetonThe second clipped command, parallel in form (adverb + imperative) to v.16: constant prayerfulness as an unbroken posture of the heart.
ἀδιαλείπτωςwithout ceasingadverb (manner)ἀδιαλείπτως: 'unceasingly' (α-privative + διαλείπω, 'leave an interval'); not non-stop words but constant disposition (cf. 1:2; 2:13).
προσεύχεσθεprayPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · προσεύχομαιimperative→ present (ongoing command)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the general verb for addressing God in petition and worship.
18
ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε· τοῦτο γὰρ θέλημα θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς.
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Staccato exhortation (3) + groundasyndetonThe third command completes the triad (joy, prayer, thanks), then a γάρ clause grounds all three: this is God's will for them in Christ — not arbitrary but the shape of the redeemed life.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
παντὶeverythingDativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐν)πᾶς: 'all, every'; 'in every circumstance' — note 'in,' not 'for,' everything.
εὐχαριστεῖτεgive thanksPres Act Impv 2 Pl · εὐχαριστέωimperative→ present (ongoing command)εὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; gratitude as the constant Christian response in all situations.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)οὗτος: 'this'; likely summarizing all three imperatives as together God's will.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
θέλημαwillNominativepredicate nominative (anarthrous, qualitative)θέλημα: 'will, purpose'; God's revealed desire for his people's conduct.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possessionθεός: God; the source and authority of the command.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere (in Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; this will is expressed and enabled within union with Christ.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (reference/goal)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (those concerned)
19
τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε,
Do not quench the Spirit,
Prohibition (Spirit life, 1)asyndetonA new sub-cluster on the Spirit's work in worship. The metaphor of quenching a fire: do not suppress the Spirit's manifestations in the assembly.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, especially in his charismatic activity (linked to prophecy, v.20).
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive imperative)
σβέννυτεquenchPres Act Impv 2 Pl · σβέννυμιprohibitive imperative→ present (ongoing prohibition)σβέννυμι: 'extinguish, put out (fire)'; the Spirit imaged as flame (cf. Acts 2:3) — do not douse it.
20
προφητείας μὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε·
do not despise prophecies;
Prohibition (Spirit life, 2)asyndetonA concrete instance of quenching: contempt for prophetic utterances. Yet this is balanced immediately by the call to discernment (v.21) — neither suppression nor naïveté.
προφητείαςpropheciesAccusativedirect object (fronted)προφητεία: 'prophecy'; Spirit-prompted speech for edification — to be valued, then weighed.
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive imperative)
ἐξουθενεῖτεdespisePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξουθενέωprohibitive imperative→ present (ongoing prohibition)ἐξουθενέω: 'treat as nothing, despise, scorn' (from οὐθέν, 'nothing'); to count as worthless.
21
πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε, τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε,
but test all things; hold fast to what is good,
Balancing command (discernment)δὲThe corrective to mere acceptance: weigh everything (including prophecy), and once tested, cling to whatever proves genuinely good. Discernment, not credulity or cynicism.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival)πᾶς: 'all'; everything claiming the Spirit's authority is subject to testing.
δὲbutadversative/connective conjunction
δοκιμάζετεtestPres Act Impv 2 Pl · δοκιμάζωimperative→ present (ongoing command)δοκιμάζω: 'test, examine, prove' (as metal assayed); discern the genuine from the false.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
καλὸνgoodAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of κατέχετε)καλός: 'good, noble, fine'; what passes the test as genuinely good.
κατέχετεhold fastPres Act Impv 2 Pl · κατέχωimperative→ present (ongoing command)κατέχω: 'hold down, hold fast, retain' (κατά + ἔχω); grasp firmly and keep.
22
ἀπὸ παντὸς εἴδους πονηροῦ ἀπέχεσθε.
abstain from every form of evil.
Counterpart commandasyndetonThe negative counterpart to v.21b: as one holds the good, so one keeps clear of evil in its every form — the close of the staccato series.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
παντὸςeveryGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every'; no kind of evil is to be exempted.
εἴδουςformGenitiveobject of ἀπόεἶδος: 'form, kind, appearance' (from ὁράω); here 'kind/sort' rather than mere 'appearance.'
πονηροῦof evilGenitiveattributive genitive / substantivalπονηρός: 'evil, wicked' (from πόνος, 'toil/pain'); active malignant evil.
ἀπέχεσθεabstainPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀπέχομαιimperative (+ ἀπό)→ present (ongoing command)ἀπέχομαι: 'keep away from, abstain' (ἀπό + ἔχομαι); hold oneself off (cf. 4:3).
23
Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ σῶμα ἀμέμπτως ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τηρηθείη.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wish-prayer (benediction)δὲThe closing wish-prayer answers the imperatives: only God can accomplish such a life. Two optatives — sanctify wholly, keep blameless — frame the goal at the Parousia, the whole person preserved.
ΑὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (w/ ὁ θεὸς)αὐτός (intensive): 'himself'; emphatic — God alone, not their own effort, is the sanctifier.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; subject of both optative verbs.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitiveattributive genitive (characterizing God)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; 'the God of peace' — a Pauline benedictory title (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9), fitting after v.13's call to peace.
ἁγιάσαιmay he sanctifyAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἁγιάζωoptative of wish (main verb)→ constative aorist (effective)ἁγιάζω: 'make holy, sanctify, set apart'; the aorist optative expresses the prayer that God do it fully.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ὁλοτελεῖςcompletelyAccusativepredicate adjective (w/ ὑμᾶς)ὁλοτελής: 'wholly complete, through and through' (ὅλος + τέλος); sanctification reaching to the entire person — a NT hapax.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁλόκληρονwholeNominativepredicate adjective (proleptic, w/ the triad)ὁλόκληρος: 'complete, intact, sound in every part' (ὅλος + κλῆρος); nothing missing — kept entire.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject of τηρηθείη (first member)πνεῦμα: 'spirit'; the highest faculty — the triad spirit/soul/body denotes the whole person, not a rigid trichotomy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ψυχὴsoulNominativesubject (second member)ψυχή: 'soul, life'; the animating self — the seat of personality and will.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
σῶμαbodyNominativesubject (third member)σῶμα: 'body'; the physical person — sanctification embraces even the body (cf. 4:4).
ἀμέμπτωςblamelesslyadverb (manner, w/ τηρηθείη)ἀμέμπτως: 'blamelessly' (α-privative + μέμφομαι, 'find fault'); without grounds for accusation (cf. 3:13).
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
παρουσίᾳcomingDativedat. of time (the goal-point)παρουσία: 'presence, arrival, coming' (παρά + οὐσία); the technical term for Christ's royal advent (cf. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (whose coming)κύριος: 'Lord'; the Parousia is the Lord's own.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to κυρίου
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
τηρηθείηmay be keptAor Pass Opt 3 Sg · τηρέωoptative of wish (second main verb)→ constative aorist (effective)τηρέω: 'keep, guard, preserve'; the divine passive — God himself the implied keeper of the whole person.
24
πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει.
Faithful is the one who calls you, who also will do it.
Ground (assurance)asyndetonThe ground of confidence for the preceding prayer: the God who calls is faithful, and he himself will accomplish the sanctification asked — the prayer rests on his character, not their merit.
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativepredicate adjective (fronted, emphatic)πιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy, reliable'; the basis of assurance — God keeps his word (cf. 1 Cor 1:9; 10:13).
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καλῶνwho callsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καλέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (ongoing/characteristic)καλέω: 'call, summon'; God's effectual call (cf. 2:12; 4:7) — the present marks it as his ongoing relation to them.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (of καλῶν)
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ποιήσει)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunctionκαί: 'also, indeed'; he not only calls but will also carry it through.
ποιήσειwill do itFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureποιέω: 'do, accomplish'; the object is unstated — 'will do' (i.e. the sanctifying and keeping just prayed for).
25
Ἀδελφοί, προσεύχεσθε καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν.
Brothers, pray also for us.
Closing requestasyndetonThe epistolary close begins. Having prayed for them (v.23), Paul asks reciprocal prayer — the apostle, too, depends on the church's intercession.
ἈδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warm address opening the final requests.
προσεύχεσθεprayPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · προσεύχομαιimperative→ present (ongoing command)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the same verb as v.17, now turned toward the apostles' need.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunctionκαί: 'also'; reciprocity — 'for us too,' as we for you.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of περί
26
Ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς πάντας ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ.
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
Closing greetingasyndetonA second closing instruction: convey Paul's greeting to all, sealed with the holy kiss — the early church's gesture of familial affection and unity.
ἈσπάσασθεgreetAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιimperative→ ingressive aorist (perform the greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute, embrace'; the customary epistolary greeting verb.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; the whole congregation as the family of God.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the greeting excludes none — 'all the brothers' (cf. the emphasis on 'all' in v.27).
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner/means)
φιλήματιa kissDativedat. of means/mannerφίλημα: 'kiss' (from φιλέω); the ritual greeting-kiss of the early church (cf. Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20).
ἁγίῳholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; consecrated, set apart from a merely social kiss — a sign of holy fellowship.
27
Ἐνορκίζω ὑμᾶς τὸν κύριον ἀναγνωσθῆναι τὴν ἐπιστολὴν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς.
I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers.
Solemn adjurationasyndetonAn unusually forceful charge — Paul puts the recipients under oath that the letter be read aloud to all, ensuring the whole community, none excepted, hears the apostolic word.
ἘνορκίζωI adjurePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐνορκίζωmain verb (double accusative)→ present (performative)ἐνορκίζω: 'put under oath, adjure' (ἐν + ὅρκος, 'oath'); a solemn binding charge — strikingly strong here.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (person adjured)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativeaccusative of oath (by whom)κύριος: 'Lord'; the second accusative names the one by whom they are sworn — by the Lord himself.
ἀναγνωσθῆναιto be readAor Pass Inf · ἀναγινώσκωinfinitive (content of the adjuration)→ constative aoristἀναγινώσκω: 'read (aloud)' (ἀνά + γινώσκω); public reading in the assembly, as Scripture was read.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐπιστολὴνletterAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveἐπιστολή: 'letter, epistle'; this very document — Paul assumes its authoritative, public function.
πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the emphatic concern of the close — every member must hear it.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedat. of recipient (to whom read)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the whole assembled congregation — the letter is for the body, not a few.
28
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μεθ' ὑμῶν.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Grace-benedictionasyndetonThe letter ends as Pauline letters do — not with a wish for health but with grace: the Lord's own favor invoked upon the community, framing the whole with the grace that opened it (1:1).
ἩtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (of implied optative 'be')χάρις: 'grace, favor'; the keynote of the Pauline benediction — God's unmerited goodness in Christ.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of source (whose grace)κύριος: 'Lord'; the grace flows from the Lord Jesus.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to κυρίου
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
μεθ'be withpreposition + genitive (association)μετά: 'with'; the benedictory 'be with you' — the implied verb is an optative of wish.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά