1. Beginning Greek for Bible Study
Evgw, eivmi to; A[lfa
Beginning Greek for Bible Study
Class #7
Verbs
kai; to; w=

2. Exegetical Example
No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
pa/j o` evn auvtw/| me,nwn ouvc a`marta,nei\ pa/j o` a`marta,nwn ouvc e`w,raken auvto.n ouvde. e;gnwken auvto,nÅ
Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
Tekni,a( mhdei.j plana,tw u`ma/j\ o` poiw/n th.n dikaiosu,nhn di,kaio,j evstin( kaqw.j evkei/noj di,kaio,j evstin\

3. Exegetical Example
he one who practices sin is aof the devil; for the devil 1has sinned from the beginning. bThe Son of God cappeared for this purpose, dto destroy the works of the devil.
o` poiw/n th.n a`marti,an evk tou/ diabo,lou evsti,n( o[ti avpV avrch/j o` dia,boloj a`marta,neiÅ eivj tou/to evfanerw,qh o` ui`o.j tou/ qeou/( i[na lu,sh| ta. e;rga tou/ diabo,louÅ
No one who is 1aborn of God bpractices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is 1born of God.
Pa/j o` gegennhme,noj evk tou/ qeou/ a`marti,an ouv poiei/( o[ti spe,rma auvtou/ evn auvtw/| me,nei( kai. ouv du,natai a`marta,nein( o[ti evk tou/ qeou/ gege,nnhtaiÅ

4. Introduction to Greek Verbs
Greek Verbs have:
Tense – indicates the “type” of action, and sometimes the time as well
Voice – how the action affects the subject
Mood – the action’s relationship to reality
Person – who is the subject
Number – is the subject one or more people
Agreement – verbs must agree with its subject in person and number

5. A Basic Verb Chart Person & Number Greek Translation 1st singular
avkou,w
I hear
2nd singular
avkou,eij
You hear
3rd singular
avkou,ei
He/she/it hears
1st plural
avkou,omen
We hear
2nd plural
avkou,ete
3rd plural
avkou,ousi
They hear

6. Verbal Aspect
Aspect is perhaps the most difficult concept to understand with Greek verbs.
Aspect refers to the type of action a verb is describing
Unlike English, Greek is primarily interested in the type of action, and only secondarily, the time of the action
In Greek, the tense of a verb primarily reveals the type of action, and only sometimes, the time of the action

7. Verbal Aspect There are three aspects:
Undefined (external) – this type of verb simply states the action, without any further indication about the type of action
Continuous (internal) – this type of verb means that the action is an ongoing process
Perfective – this type of verb means that the action has been completed in the past but has effects that carry into the present

8. Lexical (dictionary) Forms
In English, if you look up a verb in a dictionary, it is given in the infinitive form: “to run,” “to speak,” “to clean.”
In Greek, the dictionary (lexical) form is the first person singular, present indicative:
avkou,w – “I hear”
le,gw – “I say”

9. Numbering Systems
Over the years, scholars have assigned numbers to Greek words. These numbers make it easy to look up Greek words, even for people who don’t know Greek.
The most common numbering system was developed by James Strong. They are known as “Strong’s numbers.”
Because Dr. Strong did not number every Greek word, a new numbering system was recently developed by Ed Goodrick and John Kohlenberger. This system is known as the GK numbering system.

10. Numbering Systems
Our textbook uses the GK system, as well as Dr. Mounce’s Interlinear for the Rest of Us.
However, the most common numbering system that the vast majority of books and resources use, is the Strong’s System.
We’ll talk about how to use the numbering systems to look up words next time.

11. Active and Passive Voice
Person & Number
Greek
Active
Translation
Greek Passive
1st singular
lu,w
I loose
lu,omai
I am loosed
2nd singular
lu,eij
You loose
lu,h|
You are loosed
3rd singular
lu,ei
He/she/it looses
lu,etai
He/she/it is loosed
1st plural
lu,omen
We loose
lu,omeqa
We are loosed
2nd plural
lu,ete
lu,esqe
3rd plural
lu,ousi(n)
They loose
lu,ontai
They are loosed

12. Deponent Verbs
Sometimes, a Greek verb will have a passive form, but will be active in meaning. These are called deponent verbs.
Identifying a deponent verb is fairly easy. Deponent verbs end in omai

13. Middle Voice Unlike English, Greek also has a Middle voice.
The middle voice indicates that the action of the verb in some way concerns the subject.
Jesus answered nothing [in his defense].
Mary has chosen [for herself] the good part.
He (Ananias) kept back [for himself] some of the price.
Often, the forms for the passive and middle voices are identical, so context must dictate which voice is meant.
Most middle voice verbs are deponents (75%)

14. Subjects and Verbs
A Greek sentence does not require an expressed subject, since the subject can often be “built into” the verb. For example:
evgw. le,gw = “I say”
le,gw = “I say”
Greek also can drop the direct object if it has already been expressed

15. The Present Indicative
The present indicative verb describes an action that generally occurs in the present from the speaker/writer’s point of view
Tense = present, indicating continuous or undefined action. The present tense usually (but not always) indicates action occurring at the present time.
Mood – indicative, or a statement of fact
Voice – in the present tense, the middle and passive voice forms are identical

16. Uses of the Present Indicative
Immediate action (instantaneous)
My son, your sins are forgiven (Mark 2:5)
Ongoing action (progressive)
For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit is praying (1 Cor. 14:14)
Repeated action (iterative)
For often he falls into the fire (Matt. 17:15)
Regular action (habitual)
I fast twice a week (Luke 18:12)

17. Uses of the Present Indicative
A timeless fact (gnomic)
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7)
Past action (dramatic)
The next day, he saw Jesus coming toward him (John 1:29)
Future action (futuristic)
Yes, I am coming quickly (Rev. 22:20)

18. The Future Indicative
The future indicative describes action that will occur in the future.
In English, we simply add a helping verb to create the future (“will” or “shall”).
In Greek, a different form of the word is used.

19. Uses of the Future Indicative
Predictive (something that will happen in the future)
He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6)
Command (imperative)
You shall love the Lord your God (Matt. 22:37)
Gnomic (a generic event will occur)
Man shall not live on bread alone (Matt. 4:4)

20. The Past Tenses
Aorist – undefined action that normally occurs in the past
Imperfect – continuous action that normally occurs in the past

21. The Past Tenses
Unlike the Present tense, which can refer either to continuous or undefined action, the Imperfect always refers to continuous action, and the Aorist always indicates undefined action
Both the Aorist and Imperfect tenses usually refer to past action, but not always. Remember, time is secondary!

22. Uses of the Imperfect Tense
Ongoing action that happened in the past (Progressive)
He was teaching his disciples (Mark 9:31)
Emphasize the beginning of the action (Inceptive)
Angels came and began to minister to him (Matt. 4:11)
Repeated action (iterative)
The widow kept coming to the judge (Luke 18:3)

23. Uses of the Imperfect Tense
Regular action (Customary)
Now at the feast, he used to release for them any one prisoner (Mark 15:6)
Others: action that one
Wishes to do (Voluntative)
For I could wish that I myself were accursed (Rom. 9:3)
Tries to do (Conative)
But John tried to deter him (Matt. 3:14)
Almost does (Tendential)

24. Uses of the Aorist Tense
Looks at the action as a whole without further comment (constative)
He got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan (Matt. 15:39)
Emphasize beginning (ingressive)
The king was angry (Matt. 22:7)
Timeless truth (gnomic)
The grass withers and the flower falls off (1 Pt. 1:24)
Future (proleptic)
And those whom he justified he also glorified (Rom. 8:30)

25. The Perfect Indicative
The perfect tense refers to completed action with present effects.
Uses of the perfect tense:
Emphasize the completion (Consummative)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race (2 Tim. 4:7)
Emphasize the resulting state of the action (Intensive)
Man, your sins are forgiven you (Luke 5:20)

26. Homework Read chapter 19 in Greek for the Rest of Us (Green book)
Do the exercises at the end of chapter 18 (Greek book)
Catch up and review as needed

27. Advanced Class
Class #7
More on verbs!

28. Review of Declensions 1st declension – stem ends in alpha or eta
2nd declension – stem ends in omicron
3rd declension – stem ends in a consonant
The good news: there are only three declensions!

29. Declension and Gender masc fem neut j - n u i Masc/fem neut j - oj i
1st and 2nd declension
3rd declension
masc
fem
neut
Nom sg j - n
Gen sg u
Dat sg i
Acc sg
Masc/fem
neut j - oj i
a / n

30. Declension and Gender masc fem neut i a wn ij uj j Masc/fem neut ej a
1st and 2nd declension
3rd declension
masc
fem
neut
Nom pl i a
Gen pl wn
Dat pl ij
Acc pl uj j
Masc/fem
neut ej a wn
si(n) aj

31. The Article 2 1 Masculine Feminine neuter Nom sg o` h` to, Gen sg tou/
th/j
Dat sg
tw|
th|/
Acc sg
to,n
th,n
Nom pl
oi`
ai`
ta,
Gen pl
tw/n
Dat pl
toi/j
tai/j
Acc pl
tou,j
ta,j

32. The Greek verb Tense (Present, Imperfect, Future, Aorist, Perfect)
Tense signifies verbal aspect
Tense sometimes can signify verbal time
Voice (Active, Middle, Passive)
Mood (Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive, Infinitive, Participle)
Person (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Number (Singular, Plural)

33. How to Build a Verb Stem Connecting vowel Personal endings lu o men +

34. Present Active Indicative
Describes an action that normally occurs in the present, either continuous or undefined.
Present tense stem + connecting vowel + primary active personal endings

35. Present Active Indicative
Person & Number
Greek
Active
Translation
Connecting vowel
Personal ending
1st singular
lu,w
I loose o
2nd singular
lu,eij
You loose e j
3rd singular
lu,ei
He/she/it looses i
1st plural
lu,omen
We loose
men
2nd plural
lu,ete te
3rd plural
lu,ousi(n)
They loose
nsi

36. Master Verb Chart o / e lu,w Present active present Primary active
Tense
Aug/Redup
Tense stem
Tense form
Connecting Vowel
Personal Endings
1st sing paradigm
Present active
present
o / e
Primary active
lu,w

37. Present Passive Indicative
Person & Number
Greek Passive
Translation
Connecting Vowel
endings
1st singular
lu,omai
I am loosed o
mai
2nd singular
lu,h|
You are loosed e
sai
3rd singular
lu,etai
He/she/it is loosed
tai
1st plural
lu,omeqa
We are loosed
meqa
2nd plural
lu,esqe
sqe
3rd plural
lu,ontai
They are loosed
ntai

38. Present Middle Indicative
Person & Number
Greek Passive
Translation
Connecting Vowel
endings
1st singular
lu,omai
I am loosed o
mai
2nd singular
lu,h|
You are loosed e
sai
3rd singular
lu,etai
He/she/it is loosed
tai
1st plural
lu,omeqa
We are loosed
meqa
2nd plural
lu,esqe
sqe
3rd plural
lu,ontai
They are loosed
ntai

39. Master Verb Chart o / e lu,w lu,omai Present active present
Tense
Aug/Redup
Tense stem
Tense form
Connecting Vowel
Personal Endings
1st sing paradigm
Present active
present
o / e
Primary active
lu,w
Present middle / passive
Present
Primary middle / passive
lu,omai

40. Future Tense
The future tense refers to action that will take place in the future.
Formation of the future active indicative:
Future active stem + tense formative (s) + connecting vowel + primary active endings
lu + s + o + men = lu,somen

41. Future Active Indicative
Person & Number
Greek Active
Translation
Tense formative
Connecting Vowel
endings
1st singular
lu,sw
I will loose s o
2nd singular
lu,seij
You will loose e j
3rd singular
lu,sei
He/she/it will loose i
1st plural
lu,somen
We will loose
men
2nd plural
lu,sete te
3rd plural
lu,sousi
They will loose
nsi

42. Future Middle Indicative
Person & Number
Greek Active
Translation
Tense formative
Connecting Vowel
endings
1st singular
poreu,somai
I will go s o
mai
2nd singular
poreu,sh|
You will go e
sai
3rd singular
poreu,setai
He/she/it will go
tai
1st plural
poreu,someqa
We will go
meqa
2nd plural
poreu,sesqe
sqe
3rd plural
poreu,sontai
They will go
ntai

43. Future of eivmi, (mid dep)
Person & Number
Greek Active
Translation
1st singular
e;somai
I will be
2nd singular
e;sh|
You will be
3rd singular
e;stai
He/she/it will be
1st plural
evso,meqa
We will be
2nd plural
e;sesqe
3rd plural
e;sontai
They will be

44. Master Verb Chart o / e lu,w lu,omai s lu,sw Present active Present
Tense
Aug/Redup
Tense stem
Tense form
Connecting Vowel
Personal Endings
1st sing paradigm
Present active
Present
o / e
Primary active
lu,w
Present middle / passive
Primary middle / passive
lu,omai
Future active s
lu,sw
Future middle
poreu,somai

45. Homework
Read chapters 17, in Basics of Biblical Greek (blue book)
Do the workbook exercises for chapters 15-16,
Memorize your charts!
Catch up on vocabulary!