Greek Verbs Part One

It is important to understand the verb structure in Greek and thus to correctly and adequately use available Greek tools (i.e., the Interlinear Greek/English New Testament, the Analytical Greek Lexicon and the Greek/English Lexicon) to translate and explain what the text is saying.

Verbal Tense

In Greek, that which is important is the kind of action, versus the time of action in English. Now although time of action is certainly apparent in Greek, it is the kind of action that is most important in interpreting Greek. For example, in the phrase, "and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7c), the word "cleanses" is in the present tense. However, that which is of greatest significance for us today is not that His blood cleansed the people back then (although we certainly rejoice in that for them), but that His blood is effectual for us in the twenty-first century and beyond. Thus, the kind of action expressed in the present tense usage of this verb is continuous action; i.e., for those of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, His blood "continually cleanses" us from all sin, even when we are not consciously aware of our sin! What a glorious truth to walk in and live by. Therefore, the kind of action, not time of action is what is of uppermost significance in Greek interpretation.

The verbs will be identified differently than the nouns. With the verbs, only the English verse will be writen. Within the verse, the verb will be written out in Greek, followed by its italicized transliteration in parentheses, and its English translation underlined.

1. The Present Tense

   The present tense indicates continuous or linear action. It may represent action that is ongoing as in the above example in 1 John 1:7c; or it may represent action that was in the past, but it is described as though it were occurring now for emphasis sake; and at times it is used to express an event as occurring right now in the view of the writer, versus an ongoing action. Regardless of its nuances, the kind of action is linear or continuous.

   1. Progressive Present

      This use of the present is found in the example of 1 John 1:7 that we just discussed above; i.e., it is an ongoing, continuous action:

      "And the blood of Jesus His Son καθαρίζει (katharidzei) cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

   2. Customary Present

      This use of the present tense represents an action that is considered a general occurrence throughout time:

      "Every tree that does not bear good fruit ἐκκόπτεται (ekkoptetai) is cut down…" (Matthew 7:19).

      In this passage, it may be assumed that it is a customary thing for someone to cut down a non-fruit bearing tree.

   3. Iterative Present

      This use of the present describes action that is regarded as occurring at various intervals or time periods; thus, it is action that is viewed as being repeated on a consistent basis:

      "But God παρακαλῶν (ho parakalōn) who comforts the depressed,…" (2 Corinthians 7:6).

      In this instance, one could justifiably say that this is a repeated action of God whereby He comforts the depressed.

   4. Historical Present

      This use of the present tense is for emphasis of action wherein a past event is described in the present tense:

      "Now in those days John the Baptist παραγίνεται (paraginetai) came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ." (Matthew 3:1).

      Here in this passage, the actual wording in the English text (NAS) is "came," but the literal translation is "comes" thus emphasizing John's action of coming and preaching in the wilderness.

   5. Aoristic Present

      This use of the present emphasizes an action 'as occurring now', versus focusing on its ongoing action; i.e., it states that something is actually in progress and occurring, thus, containing the linear emphasis of the present tense, but focusing on the action's present occurrence:

      "For γνωρίζω (gnōridzō) I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man" (Galatians 1:11).

      In this passage, Paul is emphasizing the fact he is presently making known to the Galatians, in view of the current heresies of "works" that were being propagated among them, that his "gospel" is not something contrived by man, but rather comes from God. Thus, the present tense is used to emphasize the current situation with his preaching, as well as the fact that it will always be that way (i.e., continuous, linear action)

   6. Futuristic Present

      Here the present tense is used to describe an event that has yet to occur, but it is viewed with such certainty that it is presented as though it was already happening:

      "And if I go and prepare a place for you, ἔρχομαι (erchomai) I will come again, and receive you to Myself;…" (John 14:3).

      Clearly, in this instance, we see the present tense used to describe a future event regarding the absolute certainty of Jesus coming again to receive His disciples unto Himself!

   7. Tendential Present

      This use of the present tense describes an action which is not actually occurring, but which is thought will very likely be attempted:

      "You have been severed from Christ, δικαιοῦσθε (dikaiousthe) you, who are of the tendency, who seek to be justified by law;… (Galatians 5:4).

      What Paul is saying is that those, who are of the type, who seek to establish their justification before God through their own efforts at keeping certain standards of righteousness, will not be recipients of God's grace. Thus, for those who are thinking in these terms, although they may not as yet have moved in that direction, this will be the outcome of their efforts!

   8. Static Present

      This is an important use of the present in that it represents an action that is looked upon as a constant state of being or existence:

      "Jesus said to them, `Truly, truly; I say to you, before Abraham was born, εἰμί (eimi) I am - literally: "I myself continually am/exist" (John 8:58).

      This is an excellent example of the static present in this passage in which Jesus clearly presents His eternal existence.

2. The Imperfect Tense

   The imperfect tense emphasizes action that is continuing in past time. As with the present, there are a variety of nuances with the imperfect, but the primary idea conveyed by all these nuances is that of continuous action of some type in past time:

   1. Progressive Imperfect

      "And ἐπεθύμει (epethumei) he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods… (Luke 15:16)

      In other words, the "prodigal son," while he was working for the man taking care of his pigs at some time in the past, was "continuously longing to fill his stomach with the pods…"

   2. Customary Imperfect

      "…, for they ἔπινον (epinon) were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them;…" (1 Corinthians 10:4).

      Here we see Paul describing the journey of the children of Israel in the wilderness and how their "customarily drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; …" was something that they regularly did; i.e., it was customary.

   3. Inceptive Imperfect

      "And when he leaped up he stood and he περιεπάτει (periepatei) began to walk;… (Acts 3:8)

      Here in this passage, the emphasis is not only about something that was going on in past time, but it also focuses on the fact of the beginning of that action.

   4. Iterative Imperfect

      "And they ἤρχοντο (ērchonto) were coming up to Him and ἔλεγον (elegon) were saying, `Hail, King of the Jews!'… (John 19:3).

      This was an act that was obviously continuously being repeated at various intervals; i.e., "they kept on coming and kept on saying,…: " Thus, the idea of repeated action, over a period of time, at various intervals in the past is what the iterative imperfect presents.

3. The Future Tense

   The future expresses both progressive and punctiliar action as occurring at some future time. Punctiliar action is that which will occur at some point in the future without necessarily indicating anything about the duration of the act, but simply that it will occur, whereas progressive action is continuous and linear:

   1. Predictive Future

      "He μαρτυρήσει (marturēsei) will bear witness of me" (John 15:26).

      Jesus is here speaking of the Holy Spirit.

   2. Progressive Future

      "And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and ποιήσετε (poiēsete) will continue to do what we command" (2 Thessalonians 3:4).

      Clearly this is something that the Apostle expects the Thessalonians to continue to do in the future.

   3. Imperative Future

      "You ἀγαπήσεις (agapēseis) shall love your neighbor as yourself" (James 2:8).

      Here, "You shall love (ἀγαπήσεις - agapēseis)," although in the indicative mood, is actually giving a command in the future, active, indicative; i.e., "You shall" do etc.

   4. Gnomic Future (timeless)

      "For this cause a man καταλείψει (kataleipsei) shall leave his father and mother, …(Ephesians 5:31).

      This use of the future expresses an act or truth that is considered to be universal for all times and will be carried out by people ad infinitum.

4. The Aorist Tense

   The kind of action demonstrated by the aorist tense is punctiliar; i.e., its main purpose is to signify action that has occurred without indicating, necessarily, the amount of time involved. It does not make any statement as to the completeness of an action, only that it has happened; thus, it simply indicates the reality of the action without emphasis as to elapsed time.

   1. Constative Aorist

      The constative aorist takes the action in its entirety and views it as a single whole.

      "even as the testimony of Christ ἐβεβαιώθη (ebebaiōthē) was confirmed in you" (1 Corinthians 1:6).

      This word takes into account the whole of the process of that confirmation, from conversion through continued growth, and states that it has occurred, viewing it as a single event.

   2. Ingressive Aorist

      This emphasizes the beginning of an action and is usually attached to verbs indicating a state or condition and entrance into that state or condition.

      "And all the multitude ἐσίγησεν (esigēsen) kept silent,…" (Acts 15:12).

      Here, the word describes the state of silence and the fact of their entering into it.

   3. Culminative Aorist

      In this instance the completion of the action is emphasized, and the verbs used with this are usually those denoting effort or process, with the aorist signifying the end of that effort and process.

      " ἔδοξε (edoxe) it seemed fitting for me as well,…" (Luke 1:3).

      This aorist is indicating the end of a process of thinking, and what follows is the result.

   4. Gnomic Aorist

      This use of the aorist is applied when a particular truth or event is regarded as timeless in its usage. Thus, it sees this event as occurring, versus seeing it as it did occur. Typically, this use of the aorist is translated in the present tense, but it may be seen as more of an iterative or customary event, rather than a continuous event if it were actually a present tense verb.

      "For the sun ἀνέτειλεν (aneteilen) rises with a scorching wind, and ἐξήρανεν (exēranen) withers the grass; and its flower ἐξέπεσεν (exepesen) falls off, and the beauty of its appearance ἀπώλετο (apōleto) is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away" (James 1:11).

      All of the above Greek words are aorists, but they are translated with the idea that these events are universal and ongoing, thus they are timeless, but we know that their occurrence is not 24-7, but rather throughout time in a general sense.

   5. Epistolary Aorist

      This use of the aorist is when a writer of a Greek letter would place himself in the same time frame of his readers when making a statement, although what he was saying was actually a present or future occurrence with him at the time of his writing.

      "But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. And ἔπεμψα (epempsa) I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts" (Ephesians 6:21-22).

      Here Paul is telling the Ephesian believers that he will send Tychicus to them, and he "will make everything known to you." However, he begins verse 22 with "I have sent him," but at the time Paul was writing this epistle, Tychicus was still with Paul and had not yet left.

   6. Dramatic Aorist

      This use of the aorist is when a writer wishes to express an event that has recently occurred, or is presently occurring, with the force of a completed act or accomplished fact for emphasis sake.

      "And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit ἠγαλλίασεν (ēgalliasen) has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47).

      In this passage, the word "exalts" is in the present tense, and "has rejoiced" is in the aorist. And clearly, in this instance, it is a dramatic aorist, expressing a very recent or present occurrence with the force of an accomplished deed for the sake of emphasis, and the emphasis is the joy of being told that she will be the mother of the Messiah.

5. The Perfect Tense

   The perfect tense is one of the most important in the Greek New Testament. The action it indicates is action that is complete, but it has an ongoing state of being; i.e., a completed action with an existing result in the present time.

   1. Intensive Perfect

      This aspect of the perfect is the closest to its basic application, and that is the emphasis in the present time of a past, completed action.

      "And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father ἀπέσταλκεν (apestalken) has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" (1 John 4:14).

      In this sentence, the fact that Jesus is still the "Savior of the world" is clearly understood. Thus, the "Father" who "has sent" the Son is emphasizing the fact that the result of His having been sent is still with us and has a continuous and ongoing effect in the world.

   2. Consummative Perfect

      In this use of the perfect, the emphasis is more on the action that has been completed than on the existing result from that action, although the result is still certainly in the picture.

      "If we say that not ἡμαρτήκαμεν (hēmartēkamen) we have sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us" (1 John 1:10).

      In this verse, the phrase "we have sinned" is clearly focusing on a past occurrence, and that is that "we say that we have not sinned," which is pointing to an event, or events in the past, but the obvious result of that denial that "we have sinned’ is that we are presently living a lie!

   3. Dramatic Perfect

      This use of the perfect focuses on describing an event in a dramatic manner, and in doing so, the emphasis tends to be on the act itself, versus on the results that follow from that act.

      "No rest ἔσχηκα (eschēka) I had for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia" (2 Corinthians 2:13).

      In this passage, Paul is focusing on the fact of his not having gotten any rest because of his "not finding Titus my brother," versus any lasting effect of his lack of rest. And yet, we know that there were results from his lack of rest, but they are not alluded to.

   4. Present Perfect (or Perfect with a Present Emphasis & Force)

      This use of the perfect is associated with certain verbs that are stating a condition one has entered into, in that the existing results of that condition are presented in such a way that the initial act leading to that condition becomes virtually one with the results. The one verb with which this is seen most often is the verb "to know," οἶδα (oida).

      The woman said to Him, οἶδα (oida) "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us'" (John 4:25).

      In this example, the present knowledge of this woman concerning what the Messiah will do when He comes is so emphasized that just when that knowledge first became known is subsumed in the present results.

   5. Gnomic Perfect

      This use of the perfect is stating a universal truth that has an ongoing application for any and all people throughout time, with specific regard to whatever action is being described by the verb.

      "But he who doubts κατακέκριται (katakekritai) is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).

      In this passage, the perfect tense is expressing a universal truth for all people at all times with regard to performing some action in which a believer has doubt as to whether or not the thing he is doing is sin.

   6. Allegorical Perfect

      This use of the perfect involves Old Testament events or narratives that can be viewed with a New Testament application. That is, Old Testament truths made applicable for us in the light and fulfillment of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

      "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman γεγέννηται (gegennētai) was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking: for these women are two covenants, one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother" (Galatians 4:22-26).

      In this instance, the words "was born" are from the verb genaō, which means "to be born," and it is the perfect passive of that verb. Thus, this verb is referring to the fact that Ishmael was born "according to the flesh," and anything we do 'in the flesh' will not bring good results for us today either. But the "son by the free woman" was born according to the promise, and as we walk by faith, resting in God's promises, versus the 'work of our flesh', then we too will be blessed. That is the allegorical application for us today of an event that happened in the past, but still has meaning and application for our present lives.

6. The Pluperfect Tense

   The pluperfect tense emphasizes a completed act in past time with a resultant state of being in the past.

   1. Intensive Pluperfect

      In this usage of the pluperfect, the emphasis is on the reality of the existing results in the past as a result of some previous action.

      "And demons also were coming out of many, crying out and saying, 'You are the Son of God!' And rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because ᾔδεισαν (ē̢deisan) they knew Him to be the Christ" (Luke 4:41).

      Here, "they knew" is the pluperfect, and it is emphasizing the reality of the demons 'knowing' that Jesus was the Christ at this particular point in time in the past. But with the pluperfect is the reality of an initial point of knowledge that occurred before this encounter, and the results of that initial point of knowledge had an ongoing effect in the past, including up to and through this encounter. Thus, for the demons, this initial point of knowledge would have to be from the beginning of time. Therefore, "they knew" is talking about a completed act of knowing at some point in the past, with an ongoing effect in the past.

   2. Consummative Pluperfect

      This is the emphasis of an act itself being completed at some point in the past, with the existing results being secondary.

      "Now he who was betraying Him δεδώκει (dedōkei) had given them a signal, saying, 'Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him, and lead Him away under guard'" (Mark 14:44)

      In this verse, the pluperfect verb, "had given" is emphasizing the act of Judas already 'having given' to the Jews a "signal" that would identify Jesus. That is the focus, versus the results that followed.