Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Epistles of John
1 John 1:1—5:21
2 John 1-13
3 John 1-15
2017 Edition
By William Ramey
A Greek Exegetical Library Edition
Epistles of John
1 John 1:1—5:21
2 John 1-13
3 John 1-15
2017 Edition
ISBN-10: 1939762197
ISBN-13: 978-1-939762-19-1
diagrams@inthebeginning.org
www.inthebeginning.org/e-diagrams/
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any
manner without written permission except in brief quotations in critical articles
and reviews. Furthermore, it is not permissible to distribute, transmit, publish,
license, transfer, or sell any information obtained from these diagrams other
than what is permitted by the Terms & Conditions.
2017 Edition
By William Ramey
1 John 1:1, 3
Page 1
Verse 1a
John’s striking and powerful literary device in vv. 1-3 constitutes a topical x
rhetorical device. The five-fold relative clauses function as the direct object
for the verb (v. 3b), unfolding appositionally in effect to the
resumptive clause (v. 3a) from the least (v. 1a; )to the Verse 1b
greatest tactile sensory perception (; v. 1d); all of which forms
x
the basis for the apostolic circle’s eye-witness experience and testimony
via an oblique manner to Jesus Christ as . Refer to the
overview for the proper alignment of the clauses’ alignment on the diagram. Verse 1c
x
Verse 3a Resumptive Clause
x = Verse 1d
Verse 3b
x
Verse 3c
Verse 3d
()
=
Verse 2 © William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
1 John 1:2, 4
Page 2
Verse 2a (Parenthetical)
Verse 2b
The resumptive clause (v. 3a) strongly suggests that v. 2 forms an
expansive parenthetical remark specifically pertaining to the noun phrase x
(v. 1d). The UBS 5th Edition sets off this parenthesis
with preceding and following hypens.
Verse 4a
Verse 4b Perfect Periphrastic
The conjunction (v. 5a) simultaneously conjoins what follows with the Prologue (vv. 1-4) and introduces the
Letter proper. In addition, the alteration ()
in the opening clause underscores the separation of the Prologue and the Letter proper, as well as the following
epexegetical construction in apposition to that introduces the Letter’s first theme.
The near demonstrative pronoun (v. 5a) always points forward as in v. 5b, and underscores thematic ideas in
an epexegetical construction (cf. 2:25; 3:23; 5:4, 11, 14; also see 2 Jn. 6). Because of the cataphoric nature of this
demonstrative pronoun, it functions in all its occurrences as the predicate nominative instead of the verb’s subject
(contra Wallace 1996, 42-22).
Verse 9b
Verse 9a
Verse 9c
Verse 10b
Verse 10c
Verse 10a
Verse 6c
[]
Verse 6a Verse 6b
The neuter relative pronoun (v. 8b) does not agree with its feminine antecedent . For
this reason, the entire relative clause is understood by many as parenthetical. However, this still
does not solve the grammatical discord. It is best in instances such as this to understand the
neuter relative referring to the content of the commandment, and not the commandment itself.
Verse 15c
Verse 15b
Verse 16a Verse 16b
Verse 16c
.... = ....
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
1 John 2:17
Page 14
Verse 19a
Verse 19b . . .
Verse 19c
. . . Verse 19b
Verse 19d
()
()()
=
Verse 20
Verse 21
()
()
Verse 26
Verse 27a . . . Verse 27b . . .
Pendent Nominative
. . . Verse 27a
x
. . . Verse 27b
=
Verse 27c . . .
Verse 27e
. . . Verse 27c
Verse 27d
()
() ()
Verse 29b
Verse 29a
Verse 1b
=
Verse 1a
Verse 1c
()
()
Verse 1d
Verse 1e
=
Verse 2a
Verse 2b
Verse 2f
Verse 2c . . .
Verse 3a
Verse 3b
The entire participial phrase, , probably functions as the subject for the verb (v. 3a).
However, it is very possible in instances such as in this type of construction that if is substantival, then the participial
phrase functions attributive. The fact that is always anarthrous boisters this understanding, and moreover that the use
of with an articular participle is more rhetorically forceful than the simple substantival construction (cf. 1 Jn. 2:23, 29;
3:4, 6, 9, 10, 15; 4:7; 5:1, 18; 2 Jn. 9). Other than the fact that the Apostle ALWAYS uses and its adjuncts as the
subject of a finite verb, this syntactical scheme would have been diagrammed differently.
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
Verse 8c
Verse 8d
=
Verse 11b
= Verse 12a
() ()
x ()
()
()
Verse 12b
The comparison clause (v. 12a) does not constitute part of
the original message’s content, and thus the clause appears below
the horizontal base line of v. 11a even though it is dependent on the () ()
epexegetical clause (v. 11b) to indicate this fact. Verse 12c
Verse 12d
() ()
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
1 John 3:13-15
Page 28
Verse 13a . . .
Verse 13b
. . . Verse 13a
Verse 13c
Verse 14a
Verse 14b
Verse 14c
Verse 15a
Verse 15b
Verse 16a
Verse 16b
=
Verse 16c
Verse 17a . . .
Verse 17b
. . . Verse 17a
x
=
Verse 20b
The syntax of v. 20 is difficult to decipher because of the two-fold consecutive clauses (vv. 20a, 20b). They
are both diagrammed as epexegetical to the clause of v. 19b: “We assure our heart before Him THAT whatever
our heart condemns us, THAT God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” Among other possibilities,
it may also be possible that the first (v. 20a) introduces a clausal complement of an implicit verb such as
, and the second clause functioning as its object complement: “BECAUSE if our heart condemns
us, (we know) THAT God is greater than our heart.”
Verse 21a
Verse 21c
Verse 22a . . . . . . Verse 22a
x
Verse 22b
Verse 21b
Verse 22c
Verse 1a
Verse 1b
Verse 1c
Verse 2a . . . . . . Verse 2a
Verse 2b
x
=
See overview for proper alignment.
Verse 3a
x
Verse 3b
()
x
Verse 3c
x
Verse 7a
Verse 7b
Verse 7c
Verse 7d
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
Verse 9a
Verse 9c
Verse 9b
=
Verse 10c
=
Verse 11a
Verse 11c
Verse 11b
Verse 17a
Verse 17b
Verse 17c . . .
Verse 17d
. . . Verse 17c
Verse 18a
Verse 18b
Verse 18c
Verse 18d
Verse 4b Verse 4c
=
Verse 5
() ()
()
()
The conjunction (v. 7) probably introduces a causal clause that stands in apposition
to or coordinate to the previous clause (v. 6f), yielding the translation, “because the
spirit is truth, that is, since there are three who testify.”
Verse 9b
Verse 9a
Verse 9c
Verse 9d
=
Verse 10a
Verse 10b
Verse 10c
x
See overview for proper alignment.
The relative clause in v. 15a does not have a noun as its antecedent, and hence, headless. The best solution is to
understand the entire relative clause as the direct object of an implied that stands in apposition to the previous
clause, . If the verb could take a double object, then the relative clause would have been its “remote”
object in a double accusative construction with the personal pronoun as its “near” object. However, because the
verb cannot take a double object, the relative clause becomes the direct object of an implied , all of which stands
in apposition and is epexegetical in nature, yielding the translation, “He hears us, that is, (He hears) whatever we ask.”
Verse 16e
Verse 17a
Verse 17b
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
1 John 5:18-19
Page 54
Verse 18b
Verse 18a
Verse 19
Verse 20c
Verse 20d
=
Verse 20e
Verse 21a It is best to understand the prepositional phrase
(v. 20d) as a further adjunct of , and functioning as
Verse 21b means, thus yielding a translation, “we are in the true One [the Father] by
means of His Son, Jesus Christ” (or “we are in him who is true by being in
his Son Jesus Christ” [NIV]).
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
A GREEK EXEGETICAL LIBRARY EDITION
2017 Edition
By William Ramey
2 John 1-2
Page 1
Verse 1a
(x)
Verse 1b
x
Verse 1c
() x
() (x)
Verse 2
()
()
x
()
The conjunction (v. 5d) probably introduces the clausal complement for the verb instead of introducing an
epexegetical clause to the relative clause (v. 5c).
The comparative clause (v. 5c) is difficult graphically to illustrate as to the author’s intent. The meaning of the participle is
best understood as substantival, yielding the translation: “I ask . . not as one writing a new commandment, but I (ask as
one writing) that which we had from the beginning.”
The entire relative clause (v. 5c) functions as the direct object for the implied participle with the relative pronoun
functioning as the accusative direct object for the verb .
Verse 7b
. . . Verse 7a
.... = ....
Verse 7c
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
2 John 8-9
Verse 8a Page 5
Verse 8b
x
The 2nd plural present imperative (v. 8a) oc-
curs numerous of times in the GNT and underscores
the necessity for self-vigilance. The reflexive plural
Verse 9a
pronoun naturally follows such a verb as its accusative
direct object.
The relative clause functions as the
direct object for , and the relative pronoun as
the accusative direct object for in its own
clause.
The entire compound participial construction functions
as the subject of (v. 9a). Although improbable,
may function as the subject and the participial phrase
modifying it as attributive.
Verse 9b Pendent Nominative
The entire substantival participial phrase,
(v. 9b), functions as a pendent nominative, and
thus serves to focus on the main topic of what follows
that is picked up by the near demonstrative pronoun
(v. 9c).
Verse 9c
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
2 John 10-11
Page 6
Verse 10b
The introductory conditional clause,
(v. 10a), modifies the entire following
compound clause (v. 10b).
The present infinitive (v. 10b) functions as the direct object
for the present imperative verb , and the dative personal
pronoun as its indirect object. The negative particle (and not )
Verse 10a strongly suggests that the verb is an imperative and not its indica-
tive form. This observation is also true for the present imperative
verb .
The entire participial construction including its infinitival direct
object in verse 11 functions as the subject for the verb .
The dative noun phrase serves
as its complement (and not as its indirect object).
Verse 11
Verse 13 The subject (v. 13) is plural while the verb’s num-
ber is singular, which is not unusual because neuter plural
subjects often take singular verbs. The verb is
typically parsed as a “middle/passive deponent.” However,
because the nature of the verb includes reciprocity, it is best
to understand it as a true middle.
© William Ramey • NTGreek In Diagram
A GREEK EXEGETICAL LIBRARY EDITION
2017 Edition
By William Ramey
3 John 1-2
Verse 1a Page 1
(x)
The relative clause (v. 1b) adjectivally modifies the proper
name . The relative pronoun is the accusative direct
Verse 1b object for the verb . The 1st personal pronoun
x emphasizes the personal nature of the Elder’s love
for Gaius.
The vocative (v. 2a) begins a new paragraph as
vocatives typically do so in Johannine writings.
If the verb means “to wish”, then the two present
infinitives that follow are complementary; otherwise
indirect discourse if the verb means “to pray.”
Verse 2c
Verse 2a
Verse 2b
See overview for proper alignment.
Verse 3a
Genitive Absolute
Verse 3b
Verse 4a
Verse 4b
=
Verse 6a
x
The neuter singular (v. 5b) functions
adverbally, modifying the verb .
The relative clause (v. 5b) serves as the
direct object for the verb . The neuter
singular indefinite relative pronoun functions Verse 6b
as the accusative direct object for the verb
in its own clause.
x
The antecedents for the relative pronouns
and are and , with
the former relative pronoun serving as the
nominative subject for the verb
(v. 6a), and the latter relative pronoun
serving as the accusative direct object for
the participle .
Verse 7
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
The conjunction serves as the Elder’s grounds for his request in verse 6b.
The third declension adjective functions as a substantive, the accusative direct object for the participle . It
has been observed by grammarians that a form of is often chosen for non-indicative verbs and for indicative verbs.
The masculine nominative plural present active participle (v. 7) adverbially modifies the verb expressing
manner.
The change of person from third person to first person plural (; v. 8) changes the focus from
and to the Elder, Gaius and those closely associated with the Elder.
.... = ....
Verse 10c
Verse 10a
Verse 10b x
Verse 13
Verse 14a
Verse 14b
Verse 15a
()
Verse 15b
Verse 15c
Verse 1a
x
Verse 1b
x
Verse 1c
x
Verse 3a Resumptive Clause
Verse 1d
x =
x
Verse 2a (Parenthetical)
Verse 2b
x
Verse 3b
Verse 3c
Verse 3d
()
=
Verse 4a
Verse 4b Perfect Periphrastic
Verse 5a
Verse 5b
=
x
Verse 6b
Verse 6a
Verse 7c
Verse 7d
=
Verse 7a
Verse 7b
Verse 8b
Verse 8a
Verse 9b
Verse 9a
Verse 9c
Verse 10b
Verse 10c
Verse 10a
Verse 1a
Verse 1b
Verse 1c . . .
Verse 1d
= =
. . . Verse 1c
Verse 2a
Verse 2b
()()( )
()
()()()
Verse 3a
Verse 3b
=
Verse 4a
Verse 4b
Verse 5a . . .
Verse 5b
. . . Verse 5a
x
Verse 5c
Verse 6c
[]
Verse 6a Verse 6b
Verse 7a
Verse 7b
()
x
Verse 7c
x
Verse 8a
x
Verse 8b
Verse 9
Verse 10
Verse 11a
Verse 11b
Verse 12a
Verse 12b
Verse 12c
Verse 13a
Verse 13b
Verse 13c
Verse 13d
Verse 13e
Verse 13f
Verse 14a
Verse 14b
Verse 14c
Verse 14d
Verse 14e
Verse 14f
Verse 14g
Verse 14h
Verse 14i
Verse 15a
Verse 15c
Verse 15b
Verse 16a Verse 16b
Verse 16c
.... = ....
Verse 17a
Verse 17b
Verse 18a
Verse 18b
Verse 18c . . .
Verse 18d
. . . Verse 18c
Verse 18e
Verse 19a
Verse 19b . . .
Verse 19c
. . . Verse 19b
Verse 19d
()
()()
=
Verse 20
Verse 21
()
()
Verse 22a
() ()
Verse 22c
Verse 22b
=
Verse 23a
Verse 23b
Verse 24a
x
Verse 24b
Pendent Nominative
Verse 24d
Verse 24c
x
Verse 25a
Verse 25b
x =
Verse 26
Verse 27a . . . Verse 27b . . .
Pendent Nominative
. . . Verse 27a
x
. . . Verse 27b
=
Verse 27c . . .
Verse 27e
. . . Verse 27c
Verse 27d
()
() ()
Verse 28a . . .
Verse 28b
Verse 28c
. . . Verse 28a
Verse 28d . . .
Verse 28e
. . . Verse 28d
Verse 29b
Verse 29a
Verse 1b
=
Verse 1a
Verse 1c
()
()
Verse 1d
Verse 1e
=
Verse 2a
Verse 2b
Verse 2d
. . . Verse 2c
Verse 2e
Verse 2f
Verse 2c . . .
Verse 3a
Verse 3b
Verse 4a
Verse 4b
Verse 5a
Verse 5b
Verse 5c
Verse 6a
Verse 6b
Verse 7a
Verse 7b
Verse 7c
Verse 7d
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
Verse 8c
Verse 8d
=
Verse 9a
Verse 9b
Verse 9c
Verse 9d
Verse 10a
Verse 10b
=
Verse 11a
Verse 11b
= Verse 12a
() ()
x ()
()
()
Verse 12b
() ()
Verse 12c
Verse 12d
() ()
Verse 13a . . .
Verse 13b
. . . Verse 13a
Verse 13c
Verse 14a
Verse 14b
Verse 14c
Verse 15a
Verse 15b
Verse 16a
Verse 16b
=
Verse 16c
Verse 17a . . .
Verse 17b
. . . Verse 17a
x
Verse 18a
Verse 18b
Verse 18c
()
=
Verse 20b
Verse 21a
Verse 21c
Verse 22a . . . . . . Verse 22a
x
Verse 22b
Verse 21b
Verse 22c
Verse 23a
=
Verse 23c
Verse 23b
=
Verse 24a
()
Verse 24b
Verse 24c
=
x
Verse 1a
Verse 1b
Verse 1c
Verse 2a . . . . . . Verse 2a
Verse 2b
x
=
Verse 3a
x
Verse 3b
()
x
Verse 3c
x
Verse 4b
Verse 4a
Verse 4c
Verse 4d
()
Verse 5a
Verse 5b
Verse 6a
Verse 6b
Verse 6c
x
Verse 6d
Verse 6e
Verse 7a
Verse 7b
Verse 7c
Verse 7d
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
Verse 9a
Verse 9c
Verse 9b
=
Verse 10a
Verse 10b
Verse 10c
=
Verse 11a
Verse 11c
Verse 11b
Verse 12a
Verse 12c
Perfect Periphrastic
Verse 12b
()
Verse 13a
Verse 13b
=
Verse 14
Verse 15b
Verse 15a
x
()
Verse 16a
x
Verse 16b
Verse 16c
Verse 16d
Verse 17a
Verse 17b
Verse 17c . . .
Verse 17d
. . . Verse 17c
Verse 18a
Verse 18b
Verse 18c
Verse 18d
Verse 19a
Verse 19b
Verse 20b
Verse 20a
Verse 20c
x x
Verse 20d
Verse 21a
Verse 21b
=
Verse 1a
Verse 1b
Verse 2a
Verse 2b
=
Verse 3a
Verse 3b
=
Verse 3c
Verse 4a
Verse 4b Verse 4c
=
Verse 5
() ()
()
()
Verse 6c
Verse 6d
Verse 6a . . . Verse 6b . . . Verse 6a
.... = ....
Verse 6e
Verse 6f
Verse 7 Verse 8a
=
Verse 8b
Verse 9b
Verse 9a
Verse 9c
Verse 9d
=
Verse 10a
Verse 10b
Verse 10c
x
Verse 11a
Verse 11c
Verse 11b
=
Verse 12a
Verse 12b
Verse 13a
Verse 13c
=
Verse 13b
Verse 14a
Verse 14b
=
x
Verse 15a . . .
x
Verse 15b
. . . Verse 15a
x
= ()
Verse 16b
Verse 16c
=
Verse 16a
Verse 16d
Verse 16e
Verse 17a
Verse 17b
Verse 18b
Verse 18a
Verse 19
Verse 20a
Verse 20b
Verse 20c
Verse 20d
=
Verse 20e
Verse 21a
Verse 21b
Verse 1a
(x)
Verse 1b
x
Verse 1c
() x
() (x)
Verse 2
Verse 3
=
=
Verse 4a
()
Verse 4b
Verse 5a
Verse 5b
Verse 5d
Verse 5c
()
()
()
x
()
Verse 6a
Verse 6b
=
Verse 6c Verse 6e
=
Verse 6d
Verse 7a . . .
Verse 7b
. . . Verse 7a
.... = ....
Verse 7c
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
x
Verse 9a
Verse 9b Pendent Nominative
Verse 9c
Verse 10b
Verse 10a
Verse 11
()
Verse 12a
Verse 12b
Verse 12c Perfect Periphrastic
Verse 13
Verse 1a
(x)
Verse 1b
x
Verse 2c
Verse 3a
Genitive Absolute
Verse 3b
Verse 2a
Verse 2b
Verse 4a
Verse 4b
=
Verse 5a
x
Verse 5b
()
()
()
Verse 6a
x
Verse 6b
x
Verse 8a
Verse 8b
Verse 9a
Verse 9b
.... = ....
Verse 10c
Verse 10a
Verse 10b x
Verse 11a
Verse 11b
()
Verse 11c
Verse 11d
Verse 12a
Verse 12b
Verse 12c
Verse 13
Verse 14a
Verse 14b
Verse 15a
()
Verse 15b
Verse 15c