Weeks 19–20: Translation Drills from Selected NT Verses

Introduction

You’ve now reviewed vocabulary, paradigms, and syntax. The final step before your competency exam is intensive translation practice. In these drills, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned—recognizing vocabulary, parsing forms, following syntax, and producing accurate English translations.

These exercises are designed to build both confidence and fluency.

Step 1: Method for Translation Drills

When approaching each verse:

1. Identify the verb(s) → parse tense, voice, mood, person, number.

2. Find the subject(s) → look for nominative case or implied subject.

3. Locate objects and complements → accusative, dative, genitive.

4. Spot modifiers → adjectives, articles, prepositions, conjunctions.

5. Translate smoothly → don’t force word-for-word, but capture meaning.

Step 2: Sample Drills

Drill 1 – John 3:16

οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον.

• Verb: ἠγάπησεν = aorist active indicative, 3rd singular → “loved.”

• Subject: ὁ θεός → “God.”

• Object: τὸν κόσμον → “the world.”

Translation: “For God so loved the world.”

Drill 2 – Matthew 4:4

οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος.

• Verb: ζήσεται = future middle indicative, 3rd singular → “will live.”

• Subject: ὁ ἄνθρωπος → “man.”

• Prepositional phrase: οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ → “not by bread alone.”

Translation: “Man shall not live by bread alone.”

Drill 3 – John 1:5

καὶ τὸ φῶς ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ φαίνει.

• Verb: φαίνει = present active indicative, 3rd singular → “shines.”

• Subject: τὸ φῶς → “the light.”

• Prepositional phrase: ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ → “in the darkness.”

Translation: “And the light shines in the darkness.”

Drill 4 – Romans 5:1

Δικαιωθέντες οὖν ἐκ πίστεως, εἰρήνην ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν.

• Participle: Δικαιωθέντες = aorist passive participle, nominative plural → “having been justified.”

• Verb: ἔχομεν = present active indicative, 1st plural → “we have.”

• Object: εἰρήνην → “peace.”

• Prepositional phrase: πρὸς τὸν θεόν → “with God.”

Translation: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.”

Drill 5 – Mark 1:11

σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός.

• Verb: εἶ = present active indicative, 2nd singular → “you are.”

• Subject complement: ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός → “my beloved Son.”

Translation: “You are my beloved Son.”

Step 3: Extended Practice

Choose a short passage (e.g., John 1:1–14). Translate 2–3 verses each day. As you translate:

• Parse at least 2 verbs in detail.

• Identify at least 3 case endings.

• Note any conjunctions or prepositions and explain their function.

Step 4: Assignments

1. Translation Drill
Translate the following:

1. Matthew 5:14 – ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου.

2. John 8:32 – καὶ γνώσεσθε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς.

3. Philippians 4:13 – πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με.

2. Parsing Practice
For each verb in the above verses, write its tense, voice, mood, person, and number.

3. Composition Drill
Write 3 original Greek sentences using vocabulary and syntax you know. Translate into English.

4. Reading Practice
Choose one NT chapter (e.g., 1 John 1). Translate 5 verses. Write down every unfamiliar word to add to your vocabulary list.

Encouragement

You’ve reached the point where you can read real Greek sentences from the New Testament. Every translation you complete is proof that you are no longer dependent on an English translation—you can encounter the inspired text directly.

Don’t worry if it feels slow or if you need to look things up often. Even when you struggle, you are making progress. Over time, recognition will speed up, and meaning will come more naturally.

This is the moment where Greek stops being just a subject of study and becomes a living skill. Keep practicing daily—you are ready to meet the competency exam with confidence.