Greek Form Guide

ζωὴν (zoen) in John 3:15: Noun Accusative Singular Feminine

ζωὴν (zoen) in John 3:15

Textual Witness

ζωὴν zoen Noun Accusative Singular Feminine

The Textus Receptus witness for John 3:15 reads ζωὴν with the morphology label Noun Accusative Singular Feminine.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

The accusative noun names the promised object in the clause: life given in relation to believing in the lifted-up Son.

How To Communicate It

When teaching John 3:15, use the accusative object to show what is promised, then let the believing-in-Him phrase and eternal adjective complete the thought.

What Not To Say

  • Grammar should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not isolate life from the adjective eternal in the phrase.
  • Do not detach the promise from believing in the lifted-up Son.
  • Do not treat this occurrence as a complete word study for G2222.

What Does The Label Mean?

Part of Speech

Noun: the word names a reality or concept in the sentence.

Case

Accusative: the noun functions as the object of the having verb in the clause.

Number

Singular: the noun is grammatically singular in this occurrence, naming one promised reality.

Gender

Feminine: the noun belongs to the feminine grammatical class, which should not be turned into a theological gender claim.

Tense / Aspect

Not applicable: this nominal form does not use verbal tense or aspect.

Voice

Not applicable: this nominal form does not use verbal voice.

Mood

Not applicable: this nominal form does not use verbal mood.

Person

Not applicable: this nominal form does not use grammatical person.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

The promise clause after the believing participle

Governed By

The verb ??? in John 3:15

Role In The Phrase

ζωὴν is an accusative noun in the phrase "μὴ ἀπόληται, ἀλλ᾽ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.". It names the object of the promise: life.

What It Is Not Doing

The noun form does not by itself define the whole doctrine of eternal life; the phrase and Jesus' lifting-up statement supply the context.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: The noun names the promised object in a major purpose statement.

Syntax Profile

Noun Accusative Singular Feminine. names what the believing one may have. Attached to the having verb in the promise clause. Governed by the verb ???. The syntax should be explained from the clause, not isolated from the passage.

Reader Question

What does the believing one receive in the purpose statement? The accusative noun names life as the promised object.

Translation Effect

Direct: The accusative directly supports wording such as "have life."

Where Caution Is Needed

The adjective eternal belongs with this noun and should not be detached from it. The noun should be read inside the promise clause, not as an isolated word study.

Fallacies To Avoid

Word alone carries the whole doctrine: The noun names the object, while the phrase and passage supply the theological force. case ending proves doctrine: The accusative identifies sentence role, not the full doctrine of eternal life.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

The Textus Receptus witness for John 3:15 reads ζωὴν with the morphology label Noun Accusative Singular Feminine.

Lexical Identity

The lemma is ζωή. The gloss "life" orients this occurrence without replacing the promise clause.

Grammar In Context

ζωὴν is an accusative noun in the phrase "μὴ ἀπόληται, ἀλλ᾽ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.". It names the object of the promise: life.

Passage Meaning

John 3:15 states that everyone believing in the lifted-up Son may have eternal life.

Canonical Fit

The form belongs to John's life language, while this guide limits the claim to the promised object in John 3:15.

Communication Use

When teaching John 3:15, use the accusative object to show what is promised, then let the believing-in-Him phrase and eternal adjective complete the thought.

Do Not Derive

Do not build a complete theology of life from the noun alone; the whole phrase names eternal life in relation to believing in the lifted-up Son.