Matthew 10:31

Vocabulary (Greek word by word)

μὴ (partic) "Not" is from me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. --

οὖν (partic) "Therefore" is from oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."

φοβεῖσθε: (2nd pl pres imperat mp) "Fear" is phobeo, which means to "put to flight." "terrify," "alarm," "frighten," and in the passive, "be put to flight," "be seized with fear," be frightened," "stand in awe of" (of persons)," "dread (of persons)," and "fear or fear about something." --

πολλῶν (adj pl masc gen) "Many" is from polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long." --

στρουθίων (noun pl masc gen ) "Sparrows" is strouthion, which actually means a "tiny sparrows" from strouthos, the word for "sparrow." The word is also a metaphor for a "lecher" or "lewd fellow." --

διαφέρετε (2nd pl pres ind act) "Are of more value" is from diaphero, which means to "carry through," "carry on better," "go through life [of Time]," "bear through," "bear to the end," "go through with," "carry different ways," "spread...fame abroad," "tear asunder," "defer or reserve for judgment," "differ," "make the difference," "to be of importance," "have an interest at stake," "to be different from a person generally" "surpass a person," "prevail," "quarrel," "struggle," "come between," and "intervene."When uses as a noun, "that which makes a difference," "the difference," and "the odds.

ὑμεῖς. (pron 1st pl nom) "Ye" is from hymeis (humeis), which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."

KJV — word by word

Fear -- "Fear" is translated from a Greek word that means "to terrify" and "to put to flight," but in the passive (as here), it means to be put to flight and be frightened. When applied to people, as here, it means to "be in awe of" or "dread." It is a command, but it is in the form indicating something acting on itself "terrify yourselves."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used.

therefore, -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative.

ye -- (CW) The pronoun translated here as "ye" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since it is already part of the verb, its use creates emphasis on the "you." The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners. It appears at the very end of the sentence.

are of more value -- (WW) "Are of more value" is translated from a Greek word that has a primary meaning of to "bear though" or "carry on better." Jesus uses this word three times to compare men to animals, sparrows here, birds in Matthew 6:26, and sheep in Matthew 12:12.  The sense seems to be simple: that we carry on better than animals.

than -- This word "than"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "than"  in comparisons). 

many -- "Many" is polys, which means just "many," "much," or "large." There is no "than" in the verse.

sparrows. -- "Sparrows" is a word that is the diminutive of the word for "sparrow" so "tiny sparrow." These were sold at the temple as the least expensive animal sacrifices. It is also a metaphor for lechers.

NIV — word by word

So -- The Greek word translated as "so" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative ("therefore," "then," and "so").

do -- This helping verb is added to form a negative command.

n’t -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. If it wasn't done, the objective negative of fact would be used.

be  -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

afraid; -- "Fear" is translated from a Greek word that means "to terrify" and "to put to flight," but in the passive (as here), it means to be put to flight and be frightened. When applied to people, as here, it means to "be in awe of" or "dread." It is a command, but it is in the form indicating something acting on itself "terrify

you -- (CW) The pronoun translated here as "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since it is already part of the verb, its use creates emphasis on the "you." The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners. It appears at the very end of the sentence.

are worth more -- (WW) "Are worth more" is translated from a Greek word that has a primary meaning of to "bear though" or "carry on better." Jesus uses this word three times to compare men to animals, sparrows here, birds in Matthew 6:26, and sheep in Matthew 12:12.  The sense seems to be simple: that we carry on better than animals.

than -- This word "than"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "than"  in comparisons). 

many -- "Many" is polys, which means just "many," "much," or "large." There is no "than" in the verse.

sparrows. -- "Sparrows" is a word that is the diminutive of the word for "sparrow" so "tiny sparrow." These were sold at the temple as the least expensive animal sacrifices. It is also a metaphor for lechers.