κρίνεσθαί (krinesthai) in Romans 3:4: Verb Present Passive Infinitive

Verb: the form names an action or state, here expressed as an infinitive rather than a finite assertion.

Present: often views the action as in progress, customary, or presently in view. Context decides the exact force.

Passive: presents the subject as receiving or being affected by the action.

Infinitive: names the verbal idea without finite person. It often works as purpose, result, complement, or explanation in context.

Not applicable: this verb form is not using noun case to mark its sentence role.

Singular: this label does not govern the infinitive directly here, so number is not the main interpretive feature of the form.

Not applicable: this verb form does not use grammatical gender to make its point.

ἐν τῷ ... σε

The infinitive κρίνεσθαί is framed by ἐν with the article, so it functions as part of the surrounding phrase rather than as a standalone statement.

It contributes the setting in which victory is described, namely the event of your being judged or brought into judgment.

It does not assert that judgment is being commanded here, and it does not by itself identify the judge or supply the full action of the clause.

High: The present passive infinitive frames the judgment setting in which God is vindicated in Romans 3:4.

Present passive infinitive inside a prepositional infinitive phrase. marks being judged as the setting in which vindication or prevailing is described. Attached to the when-you-are-judged phrase in Romans 3:4. Governed by the prepositional phrase that describes the judgment setting. The infinitive frames the judgment setting while the larger clause emphasizes divine vindication.

In what setting is prevailing described? The phrase describes the setting of being judged or brought into judgment.

Direct: The form directly supports renderings such as "when you are judged" or "in your being judged."

The passive form does not itself identify the judging agent, so the clause must be read with the quotation and argument. The present infinitive frames the action in the phrase but does not alone define the duration or nature of judgment.

Passive voice alone identifies the judge: The form presents being judged; context supplies the actor and rhetorical force. infinitive phrase becomes the main assertion: The infinitive frames the setting, while the larger clause emphasizes God's vindication.

The witness reads κρίνεσθαί in Romans 3:4 within the phrase καὶ νικήσῃς ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαί σε.

The lexeme κρίνω can mean to judge, decide, or pronounce judgment, and here the passive infinitive points to being judged rather than judging others.

The infinitive is governed by the prepositional phrase with ἐν and the article, so it marks the circumstance or sphere in which the action of winning is described.

In context, the verse says that God is true and that his righteousness is shown so that he may be vindicated in his words and prevail when you are judged.

This fits the passage's concern with God's truthfulness and justice, not with granting a general license for human condemnation.

The grammar helps readers trace judgment as the context for God's vindication, which sharpens the contrast between divine truth and human falsehood.

Do not derive a claim that the form alone defines the entire theology of judgment, or that passive voice by itself proves who is acting.