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".
The Holy Spirit inspired His words to be recorded and preserved in the Koine Greek for a reason.
Balaam’s ride says, “Thank you!”
That’s what MY dad always said, “You think I’m made outta dough?”
Your hinges are squeaky!
Lets carry your analogy to it's logical conclusion: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Catholics believe that Jesus literally is the way, the truth, and the life.
Going by your standard prots must believe that Jesus is a metaphorical way, metaphorical truth, and a metaphorical life. This another way of saying Jesus is a dead end, a lie and death.
On the other hand: John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
These are obvious metaphors since Jesus was not on fire nor did He have hinges and a latch attached to him.
I find it interesting that you did not show a single instance of touto estin (This is my) being used in a metaphorical sense. instead you went on the standard prot red herring fallacy diversion.
Can you show a single instance of touto estin (This is my) being used as a metaphor?
They certainly do have it backwards...The flesh of Jesus turns into bread, not the other way around...
No, God didn’t lie — humans may have. They certainly made a LOT of errors.
Not just Greek if you want to understand wht Jesus and the Apostles said. A working knowledge of Aramaic is important. Although much of it was written in Greek, that is already a translation of what was said from the language Jesus spoke.
You believe the Bible to be The Word of God. Others don’t take it so literally. The fact that you believe it doesn’t make it so.
Again — it’s written in Greek, but Jesus spoke Aramaic. To understand it fully, it is helpful to understand Aramaic. I have read Bible commentaries by people who understand Aramaic and they draw some different conclusions about the words Jesus spoke than you seem to accept.
Of course I believe in God. I don’t necessarily believe in the God you seem to believe in. I find that God too small and limited. The vengeful, wrathful, always-judging God just doesn’t make sense to me.
“I thank the God that is that the God they told me about isn’t.”
Do you believe the letters (epistles) were written in Greek, Koine Greek) the Gospels written in Greek, and the Hebrew texts which Jesus quoted in Greek from the Septuagint, are from the actual Apostles?
That was metmom's comment that you were referring to.
Mat_5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Joh_3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh_6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Act_4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
This
houtos houtoi hautē hautai
hoo'-tos, hoo'-toy, how'-tay, how'-tahee
Including the nominative masculine plural (second form), nominative feminine signular (third form), and the nominate feminine plural, (fourth form). From the article G3588 and G846; the he (she or it), that is, this or that (often with the article repeated): - he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
Is
esti
es-tee'
Third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are: - are, be (-long), call, X can [-not], come, consisteth, X dure for awhile, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
If only there were some gnats there to strain at...
This falls under Greek (Roman) mythology; folklore...
And not a single instance of it being a metaphor. Thank you for confirming the Catholic position.
What is NASB - I’ve used the Amplified so long, I don’t know what those initials stand for.
I agree with you. I started using the Amplified Bible when I was in Bible school. I had 3 other translations .. but the Amplified seems to speak to me - much more than the others.
I like the fact there are so many styles .. something for everyone who wants to find out about GOD.
The testimony of the canonical books of the OT, particularly Isaiah, found in the Dead Sea Scrolls prove your hypothesis here flatly wrong, and there's little to discuss about it.
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