Posted on 06/10/2015 7:16:05 PM PDT by Bigtigermike
PRESENT TENSE: CONTINUOUS ACTION, HABITUAL ACTION, OFTEN REFLECTS A LIFESTYLE
EXAMPLE OF PRESENT TENSE:
1Peter 1:5 who are protected (word study) (PPPMPA) (5746) by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time
PPPMPA: Present Tense, Passive Voice, Participle, Masculine, Plural, Accusative
From Peter's use of Present tense one can see that in context. He is referring to born again ones, describing them as those who are "continually being protected by the power (dunamis) of God". God's protection of His children isn't fickle, present one day and absent the next. You can see how even the most basic understanding of verb tense can add so much to the meaning.
Knowledge of the tense of a verb can sometimes be critical for accurate interpretation. For example read the following verse.
1John 3:9: "No one who is born of God practices (present tense) sin (noun), because His seed abides in him and he cannot sin (verb), because he is born of God."
Look at the verb sin. At first glance the verse seems to imply that one who is "born of God" can never commit a sin and yet all genuine believers know that this is not a reality (1John 1:8, 2Chr 6:36, Ec 7:20, James 3:2).
When you understand that the verb sin is in the present tense, it becomes clear that John is saying that one who is born of God cannot habitually commit sins as their general pattern of life. The verb "practices" is also present tense and conveys the same thought. All believers commit sins but not habitually or as their lifestyle.
Application: if one's lifestyle is that of continual sinning in conjunction with no desire for holiness ( Hebrews 12:14), these individuals need to examine whether they are genuinely new creatures in Christ (2Cor 5:17-note) born from above (Jn 3:3, 5, 2Co 13:5-note).
And so one can see that in 1John 3:9 (as in most of chapter 3 of first John) the accurate interpretation of the passage is aided by a proper understanding of the verb tense.
Depending on the context, the following adverbs may be useful to "amplify" the meaning of a verb in the present tense:
"Continuously, constantly, habitually".
Present Tense with the indicative mood represents contemporaneous action, as opposed to action in the past or future. In moods other than in the indicative mood, it refers only to continuous or repeated action.
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AORIST TENSE: EFFECTIVE ACTION, SUCCESSFUL ACTION, SINGLE ACTION, ONE-TIME ACTION
States that an action occurs without regard to its duration. It is analogous to a snapshot which captures an action at specific point in time.
In indicative mood, aorist can indicate punctiliar action (happens at a specific point in time) in past
EXAMPLE OF AORIST TENSE
1Peter 1:3-note Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again (AAPMSN) (5660) to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
AAPMSN: Aorist Tense, Active Voice, Participle, Masculine, Sing., Nominative
The Aorist tense conveys the truth that the believer's new birth (indicative mood is mood of reality) has occurred at a point in the past without specifying when this event occurred. The passive voice indicates this new birth was produced by a Source outside of the recipient and in context that Source is "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ".
Depending on the context the following adverbs may be useful to "amplify" the meaning of the action portrayed by the aorist tense:
"Effectively, successfully, completely, even once, actually, really".
Aorist tense is somewhat difficult to grasp, so don't be frustrated if you don't receive any glowing practical insights initially. If you continue to perform Word Studies (including verb tense, voice and mood) as an integral part of your Bible study, you will begin to appreciate the meaning of the aorist tense and you will begin to receive insights from this understanding.
One writer adds "strictly speaking, the aorist denotes past time only in the indicative; in the other moods the aorist is not confined exclusively to action in the past. Unlike the imperfect, the aorist is used to express an action that is not continuous or habitual." (Learning the Basics of New Testament Greek. AMG Publishers)
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PERFECT TENSE: ACTION COMPLETED at a SPECIFIC POINT of TIME in PAST with results CONTINUING into the PRESENT. In certain contexts the results are PERMANENT.
Schematically illustrated by a "dot" (●) denoting a definite action in the past followed by a line (▬►) indicating effect of that action continuing into present
EXAMPLE OF PERFECT TENSE
1Peter 1:4-note to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved (word study) (RPPFSA) (5772) in heaven for you
RPPFSA: Perfect Tense, Passive Voice, Participle, Fem, Sing, Accusative
In this verse Peter uses the Perfect Tense to convey the truth of the "living hope" (not "hope so" but a certain expectation of future good) that believers have an inheritance that has been reserved for us at a point of time in the past (when we were born again) and remains in a state of being "reserved". What a great picture. When taking a long road trip we have all had the misfortune of arriving at our motel late at night, only to discover that our reservation has been given away! Peter says that this "mistake" will not happen to believers when we reach our final destination in heaven, for our future home (and inheritance) have been reserved for us in the past and that reservation is valid for all eternity because the "reservation price" has been "paid in full" when Jesus' cried out "It is finished" (Jn 19:30).
"Finished" (teleo - word study) in John 19:30 is also in the perfect tense and refers to Messiah's work of having obtained "once for all eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12-note), making possible "so great a salvation" (Hebrews 2:3-note) (eternal life) through the payment of His precious blood (1Pe 1:18, 19-note) on Calvary, so that all the sinful sons of Adam (Ro 5:12-note) who justly deserved their wages for sin (eternal death) might receive "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ro 6:23-note) by grace through faith (Ep 2:8-note, 1Peter 1:3-note, 1Peter 1:21-note, Johnn 5:24, 8:24, Act 16:31).
The entire sense of Jesus' poignant cry is “It was finished and as a result it is forever done!” “It stands finished!”. The priests in the tabernacle always stood when ministering the sacrifices. But Jesus Christ our great High Priest is seated because His work is forever finished. He need never arise and offer another sacrifice because full payment for our sins has been paid in the past with His sacrificial blood and the effect of that payment will endure throughout eternity! This is indeed good news, beloved of the Lord!
In short, the perfect tense is very expressive for it speaks of an action that took place in the past, which was completed in past time, and existence of its finished results. For instance one might say “I have closed the door" which speaks of a past completed action. But the implication is that as a result the door is still closed. Thus, the entire meaning is, “I have closed the door and it is closed at present.” You can see how a simple understanding of the perfect tense can often amplify the meaning which may not be readily apparent in the English translation, because the perfect tense has no exact equivalent in English.
In Matthew 4:4, our Lord answers Satan, “It is written” and "written" is in the perfect tense. Here Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy which had been written by Moses 1500 years before, but is still on record. David said, “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” A good paraphrase would be “It stands written forever.” It is the eternal word of God and you can stake your life on it yesterday, today and tomorrow! (cf He 13:8, Mt 24:35, Ps 89:34, Is 40:8, 55:11, 1Pe 1:25)
In Ephesians 2:8-note we read, “For by grace you have been saved through faith” where "have been saved" (sozo-word study) is in the perfect tense. The picture therefore for every believer is that we were given the gift of salvation at a specific time in the past when we believed, and as a result of that past completed work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and our past acceptance of the same, we at present are eternally "safe" (saved) and continue in that state forever in Christ. Amen. A believer's present possession of salvation therefore is based upon one thing only -- what Jesus did on the Cross for us and our acceptance of His finished work which means that the works of an individual, past or present, good or bad, do not enter into our acceptance or retention of salvation (Titus 3:5-note; 2 Timothy 1:9-note). Salvation is the work of Christ alone and our reception of that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. The believer is the recipient which means that the believer is saved and saved forever, for the present results of the perfect tense are always present with the reader.
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IMPERFECT TENSE: REPEATED or CONTINUAL ACTION IN THE PAST
EXAMPLE OF IMPERFECT TENSE
Acts 16:7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying (3PIAI) (5707) to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them
3PIAI: 3rd Person, Plural, Imperfect Tense, Active Voice, Indicative Mood
The Imperfect tense denotes continuous, ongoing or repeated action in past. Thus the imperfect tense often "paints" a vivid picture of an action ("motion picture") as one which happens over and over. E.g., in Acts 16:7 Luke uses the imperfect tense to portray Paul attempting to enter Bithynia, being hindered in some way by the Holy Spirit and yet trying again and again to enter! Interesting! This dramatic picture gives us an intriguing insight into the heart of Paul that cannot be gleaned without a basic understanding of the imperfect tense. Doesn't the added insight help make this verse literally "come alive"? This is often the effect of the imperfect tense. Look at some other examples of the picture painted by the imperfect tense...
Mark 4:37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over (imperfect tense) the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.
Comment: Can't you picture yourself in the boat with the waves pounding again and again (imperfect tense conveys this picture) against the side and even beginning to fill the boat with water.
Luke 9:16 Then He took (aorist) the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up (aorist) to heaven, He blessed (aorist) them, and broke (aorist) them, and kept giving (imperfect) them to the disciples to set before (aorist) the people.
Comment: The blessing and breaking of the loaves and fish happened in a moment of time, while the "giving" of the bread and fish occurred over and over, which paints a vivid picture of the miraculous nature of the event. Try to place yourselves in the disciples' "sandals" for a moment!
These examples should help you see the wonderful added insights that are possible with just a simple understanding of the verb tenses. If you are intrigued, take some time and practice applying your new understanding to a few other NT verses that use the imperfect tense and see if you do not glean some added insights which help make the texts "come alive" as you envision the action suggested by the imperfect tense (this exercise will be most beneficial if you read verses in context)...
Mt 2:4 "he began to inquire" (imperfect)
Mt 26:59 "kept trying to obtain (imperfect) false testimony"
Mt 27:23 "they kept shouting (imperfect) all the more"
Mk 7:26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking (imperfect) Him to cast the demon out of her daughter." (what a vivid scene!).
If you have meditated on the pictures portrayed by the over and over (imperfect tense) actions in each of the preceding verses, you are beginning to see the incredible value of a simple understanding of this tense. You were probably familiar with each of the scenes depicted, but heretofore you had viewed them only as "black and white stills", whereas now illumined by your understanding of the imperfect tense, you can see them as vividly "colorized motion pictures".
So now a command given to never, ever eat the blood is a red herring to your closed, cultish mind. Crickets indeed! That must be a resounding comfort for stupidity.
Εἶπεν οὖν πάλιν ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, [ὅτι] ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ θύρα τῶν προβάτων.
So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
The "am" is εἰμι...same word from which estin is derived.
So to use your understanding Jesus is literally a physical door with framing, doorknob, etc.
Same phrase,ἐγώ εἰμι is used in John 15:5 when Jesus says He is the vine....is He a literal vine with sap flowing through Him...does He do photosynthesis?
Context of the passage also determines the proper understanding of how a word or phrase is to be understood.
See post 119, pretty much slaps this tangential comment down.
Sure they do. Jesus could not have and would not have commanded anyone to break the Law nor would he have done so Himself.
He was not meaning that people should literally consume His flesh and blood.
Dude...suggest you read exactly how those verses are translated in the Greek.
If you really believe we eat and drink the flesh and blood....tell me.....what does it taste like??
No catholic has ever been willing to address that.
If it's as literal as you contend....surely you can describe the taste.
If not....you know the playground saying.
Catholicism in a nutshell.
Here is what Jesus had to say about Scripture. HE thought it was important and took it seriously. More important and more seriously than most Catholics.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Mark 12:24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?
Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
John 10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
I bet you and ol’ slick would have a good time together...parsing words as you both seem to like to do.
eagleone,
I wouldn’t worry too much here — the “Jesus” that Catholics worship is not the Second Person of the Trinity that Christians worship — their catechism teaches that they worship the same “God” as Muslims... so the argument being attempted here is meaningless...
Hoss
I require you to prove this claim.
Cite your source/translation and post the verse....in Greek.
You know why I'm asking this....don't you??? :)
btw....you still willing to stand up for the Mormon and their false teaching??
How is it that ALL Christians were condemned for 16 centuries until the prots. came along to set us straight...???
Which ones do you have? I only have one Bible (ASV) that is actually written on real paper. I rarely use it anymore, as I have ASV, KJV, NIV and Amplified on my IPhone 6. I also have Matthew Henry's and the Expositors commentaries, and my IPhone 6 still has tons of storage space left. I love my IPhone 6.
Yes, on real paper.
Revised New American Bible
Jerusalem Bible
Old New American Bible
I would like to get an RSV Bible.
Respectfully recommend the NASB....best literal word for word translation outside of a Greek interlinear.
Are they hard to get a hold of? Someone gave me the RSV, back in 1970. It was the first Bible I ever owned, back when I hardly even knew what a Bible was. Of course, I had heard of it, I just had never read it before then.
That is your opinion. It was written by human beings, for different audiences and from different theological points of view, then altered by other human beings for their own reasons. That’s indisputable from the evidence.
Jesus was a poor carpenter. He spoke the language of the common people. That’s why Aramaic is important to understanding his words. The Greek alone won’t give you the full meaning.
The canon was selected by certain religious leaders to establish their particular Christian sect and theology as the only Christianity. It was selected to promote their particular agenda. (I have read up on it. I suggest you read something other than that which confirms your preconceived notions.)
Post your sources and proof on the canon then.
Jesus fulfilled the old covenant that God made with man. That covenant was hallmarked by 'If you shall do, then I shall do this for you'. This covenant was made and the people could not meet the performance standards. There is a new Covenant. Jesus established a new covenant and proclaimed it as absolute with the sacrifice of His Life on the Cross.
Blood on the Mercy Seat seal this new covenant giving new promises from God to man, because His blood was on the Mercy Seat not only covering the sins you had not even committed yet, but taking away the law which amounted to sin and death. So that by His blood, there is therefore now no condemnation to those who accept His sacrifice for Their sin nature.
Promise #1: Hebrews 8:10 He will give you a new heart, a heart that can be raised up in the way that you should go, from the moment of your being Born From Above (John3), being a newborn to be raised by His presence in you.
Prom,ise#2: God loves you UNCONDITIONALLY, not because of performance goals met by you even once, but because you believe in His Son and have Him in your new heart. In this new covenant, God doesn't love you 'IF' you don't sin or 'IF' do every good work. God doesn't love you 'because' you behave yourself and deserve His love. God loves you 'anyhow', God loves you despite what you are or what you do, because when you receive Him as Sacior, He had Born you into His SOn's family and as a family member you are loved unconditionally.
Promie#3: Hebrew 8:11 God will no longer require a temple made with hands where to meet with you. He will no longer require you to come to Him through a Priesthood. You are now in the Family of His Son so you may come to Him directly. You can have a personal intimate relationship with God. With Him in you, YOU ARE THE TEMPLE.
Promise#4: God blots out even the remembrance of your sin, to remember them no more, the hour you first believe. You will not be on a performance treadmill, trying to perform up to standard. You are free from the old covenant which was performance based. He has made a new covenant with you by The Blood of Jesus upon the Mercy Seat. Romans 3:22-25 God freely and graciously declares that we who believe are righteous BECAUSE of HIS SON, not because of your performance before, during, or after you are Born from Above.
Justified before God is not a thing you can do for yourself, to any degree. You cannot perform up to God's standard regardless of what a Priest may teach you about avoiding sin and confessional. You could not meet the performance standards before you accept Him as Lord and Savior, and YOU CANNOT MEET HIS STANDARDS AFTER YOU ACCEPT HIM AS SAVIOR AND LORD, because His Promises now, in the new covenant are not based on performance standards, so stop trying to do that and give thanks for His mercy which declares you Saved, bought with for a price, owned now by Jesus, paid for, redeemable by His act not by your performance.
When you are Born From Above you are a babe in arms and God has Promised to be IN YOU, not off behind some altar or confessional, IN YOU. And His Holy Spirit is there to then raise up the baby God Has Born From Above. His presence in you will give you a new want to, not based upon performance standards but because of want to be pleasing to Him. You see it in children. They want to please their Mother, their Father. They are this way because they are yet innocent, not rebelling, seeking to please the parent.
You can stamp your feet all you like and scream at me that I'm wrong when I tell you that 'Jesus would not want Catholics believing they literally drink His blood because it violates God's nature and His character'. But you will not change your need to accept the new covenant in order to be Born from Above and have Christ in you from that day forward. The blood sealing any covenant was never imbibed, it was shed. No transmogrification magic can change God's nature and thus violate His absolute commands. Leviticus makes that clear and it has been posted numerous times by more than one poster seeking to open your stony heart.
The Life is in the blood, and that blood was shed 2000 years ago and sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat By our Great High Priest. Partake of the Eucharist in remembrance of His work then to claim it in the now. Stop sacrificing Him over and over and over again in your heart, which is what Moses did at the Rock.
Grieve not the Holy Spirit. Jesus's body really was nailed on that cross for you. Jesus broke bread. The Bible tells us not one bone of His body was broken on the cross. The Eucharist is a remembrance not a cannibalistic ritual of a mystery religion. His blood really was shed for you ... and He entered in Once forever as The Great High Priest and sprinkled His blood upon the Mercy Seat. That blood was/is so efficacious that it need only be shed once for all and forever.
The law which was under the seat where the blood was spread by Hyssop has been fulfilled and taken away. The Law is God's character performance standard and you can never meet it and don't need to because Jesus has done it already. By Faith you have His performance of the law and it is no longer your master. Be raised up in the Way that you should go by His Holy Spirit within the Perfected heart, perfected by the perfect blood shed once for all who will ... drink it as often as they can? OR all who will say Thank You Jesus for being My Deliverer. THAT is Soterology, terycarl.
I’ve read up on it too. A great deal of the contrarian literature is written from a presupposition of de facto atheism. We as theists start with the premise that God can and will succeed in communicating His truth to His people. We can argue about the a priori nature of that if you like, but please spare us the postmodern drudgery of “agenda voids truth.” God has an agenda too.
Besides, unless you actually have the Aramaic you think Jesus spoke, you have nothing of substance that could change a single doctrine taught through the Greek we do have. All languages are susceptible to multiple meanings per individual words. That’s called semantic range. It is incredibly likely that the original authors who heard Jesus speak are in fact the very ones who wrote the Gospels, as Greek was a well-entrenched second language for nearly everyone in those times, and would have been the logical choice to reach both the Hellenistic Jews and the Gentile audience in a single language.
If that were the case, it would mean that the Gospels represent a first-hand translation of those who were direct observers of the ministry of Jesus, or in the case of Luke, top-notch historians with direct access to primary sources, and would therefore be the best possible representation of His true words and meaning.
Peace,
SR
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