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Pluperfect Tense

The Pluperfect Tense

The Kind of Action of the Pluperfect Tense:

Linear and Punctiliar. The past tense of completed action with abiding results.

In this use, verbs that denote a present state in the perfect denote a past state in the pluperfect. These verbs are linear in force, functioning practically like imperfects when put into the past. The reality of the fact is stressed, which present it more strongly than could be done with the aorist. It must be translated into English by the simple past.

The Extensive Pluperfect

This use denotes a state following completed act in past time. Sometimes it is made clear by the context that a considerable space of time has intervened. It is used to take the reader behind the scenes. John uses it most frequently.

The Iterative Pluperfect

This use represents a past action as a series of events. It is very rare in the New Testament. Some have referred to it as the “Pluperfect of Broken Continuity”.

The Pluperfect of Conditional Sentence

This use denotes the continuance of the contingent result in a second-class condition to the time of speaking. The Pluperfect is used where the second-class conditions are determined to be unfulfilled in relationship to the past.

The Periphrastic Pluperfect

This use, which is formed by adding the perfect participle to an imperfect of εἰμί, occurs somewhat frequently in the New Testament. A majority of the occurrences are “intensive,” the rest are “extensive.”

© 2017 Luther Walker | All Rights Reserved | ISBN-10: 0-9993211-0-2, ISBN-13: 978-0-9993211-0-2 | This book or any potion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or […]

Pluperfect Tense2023-12-11T12:21:43-08:00

Perfect Tense

The Perfect Tense

The Kind of Action of the Perfect Tense:

Durative and Punctiliar. Completed action with abiding results.

The Dramatic Perfect

An action completed in the past is conceived in terms of the present time for the sake of vividness. This was a use suited for the orator or the dramatist, and was often used in rhetorical questions. John uses it more than any other New Testament writer. It would be similar to ours, “The first thing you know he has done it.” (It is sometimes referred to as the “Present Perfect.”).

The Intensive Perfect 

This use is a strong way of saying that a thing is, denoting an action rather than a state resulting from an action, having the force of an emphatic present. Stress is placed on the existing fact. This is done more forcibly than either the Greek or English present could ever do. This use is primarily used with verbs of senses.

The Extensive Perfect

This use denotes a completed act that has abiding results. It emphasizes that the action took place and still has abiding results. The finished process with its results is expressed, not the existing state. (CF. The Intensive Perfect). This is the most frequent use of the perfect.

The Gnomic Perfect 

This use denotes an action that was generally true. It is rare in the New Testament.

The Iterative Perfect 

This use denotes repeated action. Completed action is stressed, but something in the context or in the meaning of the word (or both) indicate(s) that the idea of the action was iterative. It is relatively rare in the New Testament.

The Periphrastic Perfect

This use emphasizes an existing state. It is made up of the perfect […]

Perfect Tense2023-12-11T12:21:28-08:00

Imperfect Tense

The Imperfect Tense Verb

The Kind of Action of the Imperfect Tense:

The imperfect tense expresses a linear or continuous action in past time. The time element is more predominate because it is exclusively used with the Indicative mode.

The Progressive  Imperfect

This use denotes action in progress in past time. This is the most common use of the tense. It draws a picture of a past event. Only the context determines whether the action is completed.

The Iterative   Imperfect

This action of the imperfect is represented as recurring at successive intervals in past time. It is sometimes difficult to tell whether an act is merely descriptive or a series of actions. The context must be studied carefully to determine which it is. It is translated into English by “kept on”.

The Customary Imperfect

This use represents an action that occurred on a regular or ordinary basis in past time. It emphasizes the regularity of the action over a period of time in the past. English would the customary imperfect by “used to”.

The Inceptive  Imperfect

This use denotes the beginning of an action or that which was upon the point of occurring, in past time. The action is continuous in past time, but the emphasis is on the beginning, not its progress. It occurs frequently in the New Testament. It may be translated by “one went to doing.”

The Inchoative Imperfect

This use denoted an action as merely begun in the past, but not carried out yet. May be expressed in English with “began.”

The Conative Imperfect

This use denotes an action that was interrupted in the past. The action was begun, but not completed.

The Tendential Imperfect

Imperfect Tense2023-12-11T12:20:41-08:00

Biblical Greek Year 1 Lesson 2

Introduction to Verbs

Class Notes

Introduction to Verbs

A verb is a word that represents an action, occurrence, or state of being. Verbs are one of the fundamental building blocks of grammar in most languages. They are crucial for constructing sentences and conveying actions or states.

There are several types of verbs used to express action or a state of being:

  1. Action Verbs: These describe specific actions performed by the subject. Examples: run, jump, write, speak.
  2. Linking Verbs: These verbs connect the subject of a sentence to additional information about the subject. They do not describe an action. Common linking verbs include forms of “to be” (is, am, are, was, were), seem, become, appear.
  3. Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs): These verbs are used with main verbs to form different tenses, moods, or voices. Examples: have, do, will, shall, can, may, must.
  4. Transitive Verbs: These verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. Example: “She reads a book.”
  5. Intransitive Verbs: These verbs do not require a direct object. Example: “He sleeps.”

The Greek verb system is complex and encompasses various components, including tense, voice, mood, person, and number.

Tense (Χρόνος)

In the majority of the tenses the kind of action is the primary focus. Only in the Indicated mode is time absolute.

  • Present (Ενεστώτας): Indicates a continuous or repeated action in the present time (e.g., “I am loosing”). 1 John 3:9, Does not “habitually” sin.
  • Imperfect (Παρατατικός): Indicates a continuous or repeated action in the past (e.g., “I was loosing”). John 1:1, the Word was before any beginning.
  • Future (Μέλλοντας): Indicates an action that will occur in the future (e.g., “I will loose”). Matthew 16:18, I will build My Church.
  • Aorist (Αόριστος): Indicates action […]
Biblical Greek Year 1 Lesson 22024-10-02T14:36:13-07:00
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