Lesson 6 | Phrasing in Greek
[2] Divide
clause noun A subject and finite verb, along with simple modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, direct and indirect objects)
phrase noun A group of words that form a conceptual unit
The first step is to divide the text into clauses and phrases. We will divide off all clauses, but only some phrases. You are not expected to memorize all of the following details. Instead, just be sure to understand each type and its example.
Clauses
Just as you have been doing throughout Greek II–IV, all finite verbs establish a clause that should be divided on its own. Each of the following lines from Colossians 1:16–18 has a finite verb and forms its own clause.
All relative clauses should likewise be split off on their own. For example, at the end of Col 1:24, we read,
Phrases
Adverbial Participles
Divide all adverbial participles, along with any accompanying modifiers (direct and indirect object(s), adjectives, and adverbs). In Colossians 1:20, we have split off the adverbial participle εἰρηνοποιήσας along with its prepositional phrase.
Adjectival Participle Phrases
Divide adjectival participles only if they have accompanying modifiers. If the participle stands alone as a bare adjective, leave it with the noun it modifies. Likewise, simple substantival participles should typically not be split off. In Colossians 1:25, the participle τὴν δοθεῖσάν adjectivally modifies τὴν οἰκονομίαν. Since the participle includes a dative indirect object, a prepositional phrase, and an infinitive modifier, we have split the whole unit from the main clause.
In Revelation 21:11, the dative participle adjectivally modifies the dative noun(s) preceding it. Since it has no additional modifiers, we can treat it just as we would any other adjective.
Infinitive Phrases
You should split off two types of infinitives: an infinitive that has its own (accusative) subject and an infinitive that expresses purpose. Complementary infinitives should be left with the verb they modify. The infinitive in Colossians 1:25 should be split off on its own because it states a purpose for the action of the preceding participle.
On the other hand, the infinitive in Mark 11:15 completes the thought of the main verb (i.e. a complementary infinitive), thus, it should not be split off.
Prepositional Phrases
All prepositional phrases should be split off on their own. Returning to Colossians 1:25, I have now split off the two prepositional phrases.
Genitive Phrases
For those who have previously taken Biblearc's Phrasing Course, you will be familiar with splitting off genitive phrases. We will not be splitting genitive phrases in this course for two reasons: 1) Doing so would break up the text too much for our purposes, disrupting the natural reading flow; and 2) identifying the various nuances of the Greek genitive typically belongs in an intermediate Greek course.
** Extracting Phrases **
Although the ideal is to keep the word order of the text intact, it is sometimes necessary to extract a phrase or clause from within another clause and place it either above or below the main clause. (See "Extract a phrase" on the "Edit" tab of the Phrasing tool palette.) Here, in Revelation 21:27, a preposition phrase occurs between the verb and its subject. The preposition should be placed on its own line but we want to leave the subject with the verb. We can extract the prepositional phrase and place it below the main clause.
If a sentence begins with a conjunction followed by a phrase to be split off on its own, extract the phrase, and keep the conjunction with the main clause. Mark 4:36 begins with a conjunction, followed by an adverbial participle. We have extracted the participle with its direct object, leaving the conjunction with the main clause.
Lists
Generally, it is helpful to divide multiple items of a list, even when they are not made up of distinct phrases. For example, in Revelation 21:8, we saw a long list of those whose share is in the lake that burns with fire.
If there are only two items in the list, you may use your own judgment to decide the value of dividing them. Consider the example in Mark 11:15. The infinitive has two accusative, substantival participles standing as direct objects. While you would not split off a simple substantival participle (see adjectival participles above), in this case, you might choose to split off the second participle to highlight the two groups of people Jesus was casting out of the temple.
Our next step is to indent subordinate clauses and phrases.