| 9. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the postpositive conjunction gar {γάρ | gár} introducing a logical explanation. A series of negative future indicative verbs—moicheuseis {μοιχεύσεις | moi-kheú-seis} “you shall commit adultery,” phoneuseis {φονεύσεις | pho-neú-seis} “you shall murder,” klepseis {κλέψεις | klép-seis} “you shall steal,” and epithymeseis {ἐπιθυμήσεις | e-pi-thu-mḗ-seis} “you shall covet”—are each negated by ou / ouk {οὐ / οὐκ | ou / ouk}, forming a parallel list reminiscent of the Decalogue. The conditional clause ei tis hetera entole {εἴ τις ἑτέρα ἐντολή | eí tis hetéra entolḗ} “if there is any other commandment” extends the scope beyond the listed prohibitions. The present passive indicative anakephalaioutai {ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται | a-na-ke-pha-lai-oû-tai} “is summed up” serves as the main verb in a summarizing construction, governed by the prepositional phrase en tō logō toútō {ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τοῦτῳ | en tôi lógō toûtō} “in this saying.” Finally, the future verb agapḗseis {ἀγαπήσεις | a-ga-pḗ-seis} “you shall love” is highlighted through the prepositional introduction en tō {ἐν τῷ | en tôi} “in the” + verb phrase, leading to the substantive plēsíon {πλησίον | plē-síon} “neighbor” in the accusative, modified by the comparative expression hōs seautón {ὡς σεαυτόν | hōs se-autón} “as yourself,” which defines the measure of love. |