"Helps by the Way. No. 2. The Greek Prepositions." by Charles H. Welch
in The Berean Expositor, circa 1912-13

"The prepositions, in their variety and delicacy, are a most important
element of the Greek language" (Rev. A. C. Kendrick, D.D.).

"The usage of the prepositions is a matter of no less importance in the
interpretation of the New Testament than in the general study of the
Greek language" (Rev. T.S. Green, M.A.).

What is a preposition?  A preposition is a word "placed before" a noun,
or its equivalent, forming a qualifying or adverbial phrase. What is
the underlying idea of the prepositions?  Whatever figurative or
secondary idea may be conveyed by the usage of the prepositions, the
simple, primary, basic idea may be said to be that of (a) rest, or (b)
motion.  Motion covers the idea of "direction," for direction implies a
motion towards or a motion from a given point.

The prepositions arranged under their heading of rest and motion.

1. Rest.--In, en; by the side of, para; on, epi; above, huper; under,
below, hupo; between, among, with, meta; before, pro; behind, after,
meta; on the top of, upon, ana; around, about, peri; over against,
opposite, anti.

2. Motion (direction or motion towards a point).--Into, to, eis;
towards, down, kata; towards, pros; upon, epi; near by, alongside,
para; under, hupo.

3. Motion (direction or motion from a point).--Out of, ek; from, apo;
from under, hupo; down from, kata; from beside, para; through, dia.

It will be observed that some prepositions which occur in No. 1 occur
again in No. 2, or No. 3, and the natural question arises, how can one
word mean both rest and motion?

If the preposition is followed by the Dative case it usually denotes
the primary idea of rest, if followed by the Accusative case it usually
means motion towards, and if by the Genitive case the idea of motion
from, or out of.  We will endeavour to explain the meaning of these
cases as we come to them in the usage of the preposition.

Notice the way in which the preposition makes all the difference in the
following sentences:D

I am going into the room; I am going out of the room; I am going beside
the room; over the room; round the room, &c., &c.

When we come to examine the teaching of the New Testament we shall find
that a thorough grasp of these simple words will be of the utmost
importance.  We have spoken of the primary or basic idea, having
reference to rest or motion. When the subject of writing is placed upon
a higher plane (the plane of doctrine for example), the simple idea of
"out of," "into," &c., is enlarged and takes a figurative
signification.

One example must suffice; peri, meaning "around," comes to mean
"concerning." The primary idea is always present, and is beautifully
felt in such a passage as, "He was not that light, but was sent to bear
witness concerning (peri) that light" (John i. 8).  John's witness had
for its glorious centre "that light"--Christ.  His witness revolved
"around" Him, keeping Him ever central. This simple illustration must
suffice for the time, but we hope to be able to show in the usage of
each preposition the importance of remembering the initial idea of the
word as set out in this necessarily dry introductory paper.