Good morning. Have I ever mentioned that when ancient Greek is spoken it can sound like a quote from Yoda? It’s true. That is because word order is not of primary importance in a Greek sentence. Usually, it is the suffix and prefix used that indicates connections and what is being modified.
I would like to share the sentence that ends the gospel of Matthew. These are the words of Jesus to His disciples as He commands them in what we recognize as “the great commission”. The sentence, in its natural word order, reads as follows:
“And behold, I, with you, am, all the days until the completion of the age.” Koine Greek
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV
“And behold, I am with you all the days, until the completion of the age.” Darby
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ESV
Modern translations are fairly consistent in their translation, and I don’t have any great argument with them. However, when we read the word order of the original Greek, I wonder if there is a beauty in Jesus’ words that we miss?
Vern’s paraphrase (not a translation but an expression of the idea that was intended): “Pay attention to this: I, with you, am. This is true every moment of every day until all that remains to be done is finished.”
Jesus, with us, in every way, until everything that needs doing is done and He returns for His own. That is a beautiful truth to consider. Every day, in every way, He is with you, always.
Vern