Weeks 15–16: Nouns – Third Declension

Introduction

You’ve already learned the first and second declensions, where endings are generally straightforward and predictable. Now we move to the third declension—a group of nouns that are more irregular but very common in the New Testament.

Mastering the third declension is critical for reading Scripture fluently. Many high-frequency words—like πνεῦμα (spirit), σῶμα (body), πίστις (faith), and ὄνομα (name)—belong to this group.

Step 1: What Is Different About the Third Declension?

Unlike first and second declensions, the stem of the noun can change when different endings are added. This sometimes causes spelling shifts or irregularities.

• Example: πατήρ (patēr, “father”) → stem: πατρ- → πατρός (genitive).

• Example: σάρξ (sarx, “flesh”) → stem: σαρκ- → σαρκός (genitive).

👉 Always memorize the nominative singular and the genitive singular when learning third declension nouns.

Step 2: Common Endings

Here are the standard endings for third declension nouns (masculine/feminine).

👉 Neuter nouns differ: nominative and accusative are always the same.

Step 3: Examples

Masculine: πατήρ (patēr, “father”)

• Nominative: πατήρ → “father”

• Genitive: πατρός → “of a father”

• Dative: πατρί → “to/for a father”

• Accusative: πατέρα → “father” (object)

• Plural: πατέρες, πατέρων, πατράσι(ν), πατέρας

Feminine: πίστις (pistis, “faith”)

• Nominative: πίστις → “faith”

• Genitive: πίστεως → “of faith”

• Dative: πίστει → “to/for faith”

• Accusative: πίστιν → “faith” (object)

• Plural: πίστεις, πίστεων, πίστεσι(ν), πίστεις

Neuter: ὄνομα (onoma, “name”)

• Nominative: ὄνομα → “name”

• Genitive: ὀνόματος → “of a name”

• Dative: ὀνόματι → “to/for a name”

• Accusative: ὄνομα → “name” (object)

• Plural: ὀνόματα, ὀνομάτων, ὀνόμασι(ν), ὀνόματα

Step 4: Third Declension in the NT

1. Matthew 1:21

• καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν → “You shall call His name Jesus.”

2. Romans 3:28

• λογιζόμεθα γὰρ δικαιοῦσθαι πίστει ἄνθρωπον → “For we hold that one is justified by faith.”

3. John 4:24

• πνεῦμα ὁ θεός → “God is spirit.”

Step 5: Strategy for Mastery

1. Always learn the genitive singular form. It shows the true stem.

   • Example: ὄνομα, -τος → stem = ὀνοματ-.

2. Recognize spelling shifts. The stem may look different from the nominative form.

3. Practice paradigms aloud. Hearing the forms will make them stick.

Practice Assignments

1. Paradigm Drill
Write full paradigms (singular and plural) for:

• πατήρ (patēr, father)

• πίστις (pistis, faith)

• ὄνομα (onoma, name)

2. Stem Identification
Write down the stem for each of the following based on the genitive singular:

1. σάρξ, σαρκός

2. γυνή, γυναικός

3. βασιλεύς, βασιλέως

3. Translation Practice
Translate into English:

1. καλοῦσιν τὰ ὀνόματα.

2. ἡ πίστις τῶν μαθητῶν.

3. τῷ πατρὶ δοξάζομεν.

4. NT Word Hunt
Read Philippians 2:9–11 and underline all third declension nouns. Write out their parsing (case, number, gender).

Encouragement

The third declension may seem like a challenge at first because of its irregular stems. But it also includes some of the most theologically rich words in the New Testament: faith, flesh, spirit, name, father.

Each time you learn one of these words, you gain access to dozens of verses where they appear. Be patient with yourself—memorize the nominative and genitive forms together, and soon the patterns will begin to feel natural.

Keep at it! You are now stepping into some of the most important vocabulary and grammar in the Greek New Testament.