Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

GREEK VERBS QUICK REFERENCE (Studying the Bible)
http://www.preceptaustin.org/new_page_40.htm#present imperative ^

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.

----------------------------

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)

----------------------------------------

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.

---------------------------------

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".


TOPICS: Activism; Ecumenism; General Discusssion; Theology
KEYWORDS: bible; biblegreek; biblejesus; biblestudy; greek; greekverbs; koinegreek
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 521-540541-560561-580581-594 last
To: verga
Your original post was 522, you then quoted yourself in post 568.

Like THIS??

522 Thank you for affirming the Bible is all one needs to make it to Heaven.

Funny; there is NOTHING about you SAYING anything here!


Are you ADDING words??

581 posted on 06/22/2015 11:37:02 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 580 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
Do you read English? Seriously when you say "Thank you for affirming the Bible is all one needs to make it to Heaven." That means that I am saying that all you need is the Bible.

Where did I ever say that? I have never said that and there isn't a Catholic in the world that would ever make such an egregious error. We don't believe in Mea Scriptura.

582 posted on 06/22/2015 1:12:57 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 581 | View Replies]

To: verga
Where did I ever say that? I have never said that and there isn't a Catholic in the world that would ever make such an egregious error. We don't believe in Mea Scriptura.

Then thank you for affirming the Bible is NOT all one needs to make it to Heaven!

583 posted on 06/22/2015 2:43:18 PM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 582 | View Replies]

To: verga
But you made it SEEM so important!!!

So now the Bible is mere details to prots. So sad, maybe you should think of it as the word of God, just as Catholics always have.



Thus prompting my reply, "Thank you for affirming the Bible is all one needs to make it to Heaven."

584 posted on 06/22/2015 2:45:32 PM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 582 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

You keep adding words.


585 posted on 06/22/2015 4:46:52 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 584 | View Replies]

To: verga
You keep adding words.

Man up; Dude!

do you ACCEPT your churches teaching that the bible is NOT sufficient to get to Heaven or not?

586 posted on 06/23/2015 4:42:43 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 585 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Do you accept that you added words to what I said?


587 posted on 06/23/2015 5:22:09 AM PDT by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 586 | View Replies]

To: verga
Do you accept that you added words to what I said?

Really?

This from a fella who adds words to what others say?

Whoda thunk!

588 posted on 06/23/2015 7:19:11 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 587 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
This from a fella who adds words to what others say?

Documentation?

589 posted on 06/23/2015 7:35:39 AM PDT by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 588 | View Replies]

To: verga
Here is some DOCUMENTATION from someone who evidently thinks that GOD's word is ASININE!



Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.


John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?
 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."


1 John 3:21-23
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.


James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
 

262 posted on ‎6‎/‎15‎/‎2015‎ ‎8‎:‎39‎:‎44‎ ‎AM by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)

To: Elsie

OOOO goody I was wondering how long it would take you to post more asinine comments and irrelevant cartoons.

263 posted on ‎6‎/‎15‎/‎2015‎ ‎8‎:‎41‎:‎02‎ ‎AM by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)

590 posted on 06/24/2015 2:20:40 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 589 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Can you document me adding words to anyone’s comments or not?


591 posted on 06/24/2015 3:39:24 AM PDT by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 590 | View Replies]

To: verga
Can you document me adding words to anyone’s comments or not?


GREEK VERBS QUICK REFERENCE (Studying the Bible)

‎6‎/‎22‎/‎2015‎ ‎7‎:‎46‎:‎52‎ ‎PM · 585 of 591
verga to Elsie

You keep adding words.


We appear to have a Mexican standoff!

592 posted on 06/24/2015 4:25:30 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 591 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Only because you are a moron.


593 posted on 06/24/2015 4:31:18 AM PDT by verga (I might as well be playng chess with pigeons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 592 | View Replies]

To: verga
Only because you are a moron.

You win.

594 posted on 06/24/2015 10:38:14 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 593 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 521-540541-560561-580581-594 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson