Elementary New Testament Greek, 2014a

But how do we know which particular individual “The” is pointing
to?
1) …because something was just mentioned (Anaphoric) [In English and
Greek]
We can use an article to identify something the second time it is mentioned, because
we learned of it in an earlier mentioning.
Mom gave me a Christmas ornament she had made years ago.
The ornament was blue with silver sparkles.
[Once we meet an ornament, we can subsequently refer to it as
the ornament.]
2) …because an explanation immediately follows (Kataphoric) [In English
and Greek]
We can use an article to identify something if it is immediately identied or explained.
Mom gave me the ornament which she had been saving for many
years.
3) …because of shared circumstances, customs, and culture
(Circumstantial) [In English and Greek]
We can often use an article to identify something if we know what context we’re in.
Whenever you enter a church, always take note of where the
pulpit is located.
[Since each church customarily has a pulpit, we will expect to
see one upon entering any church. Notice, there was no prior
mention of “pulpit”. It is the circumstance of being in a typical
church which allows us to specify its pulpit, even if no particular
church is in view!]a
4) …because something is unique (Monadic) [In English and Greek]
We can use an article to identify something if (surprise!?) only one such thing exists!
The earth, the moon, and the sun fulll their orbits with exquisite
precision!
5) …because something is the best or worst in quality or character (Par
Excellence) [In English and Greek]
We can use the article to identify something if it is easily distinguished either because
it is the very best or the very worst of its peers.
Please don’t ever again mention the play. I hope to blot it from
my mind for good!
[Spoken by one Mets fan to another about the elding error
which cost them the World Series. It was the worst play ever in
the history of that sports franchise.]
6. …because something is celebrated, infamous, or familiar (Well-Known) [In
English and Greek]
We can use the article to identify something if it is already well-known.
So this is the place!
[Spoken by a visitor to Dallas, Texas, when viewing the location
of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This place is
not the only place in the world (monadic), nor is it necessarily
the very best or worst place (Par Excellence). But it is very wellknown.]
4: The (Denite) Article
52