Mood participle [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]¶
Glossary¶
A participle is a verbal adjective (e.g. eating, going, running). It has properties of a verb in that it expresses aspect and voice. Participles are never the main verb in the sentence. As a verbal adjective, it functions as an adverb modifying the verb.
A Participle also has properties of an adjective in that it expresses case, gender and number. Like other adjectives, a participle can be used to modify a noun or take the place of a noun in a sentence. It can be the subject for the main verb in the sentence.
καὶ |
ἀνακειμένων |
αὐτῶν |
καὶ |
ἐσθιόντων |
ὁ |
Ἰησοῦς |
εἶπεν |
kai |
anakeimenōn |
autōn |
kai |
esthiontōn |
ho |
Iēsous |
eipen |
and |
while they were reclining |
they |
and |
eating |
the |
Jesus |
said |
And as they were reclining to eat and eating [adverbal usage], Jesus said
Ἀμὴν |
λέγω |
ὑμῖν |
ὅτι |
εἷς |
ἐξ |
ὑμῶν |
παραδώσει |
με |
ὁ |
ἐσθίων |
μετ᾽ |
ἐμοῦ. |
Amēn |
legō |
hymin |
hoti |
heis |
ex |
hymōn |
paradōsei |
me |
ho |
esthiōn |
met᾽ |
emou |
Truly |
I am saying |
to you |
that |
one |
of |
you |
he will betray |
me |
the |
one who is eating |
with |
me. |
“Truly I say to you, one from among you who is eating with me will betray me.”
Article¶
A – Background¶
Participles are verbal adjectives. As such they share characteristics of both verbs and nouns. A little over 50 percent of the verses in the New Testament contain one or more participles. Therefore, and understanding of participles is important to understanding the Greek text.
Similar to an adjective, a participle has Gender, number, and case. A participle can take an article, and can function as a noun.
Similar to a verb, a participle has tense /aspect and voice. It can also be modified by another adverb, and take a direct object.
All participles are formed from a verb.
Participles never take the place of the main verb in a sentence. Participles can function as an adverb modifying a verb. When their meaning is directed toward a verb, it will agree with a word (most likely the subject of the verb) in case number and gender.
If a sentence begins with a participle, it is helpful to locate the main verb and subject of the sentence to help with the translation.
Tense/Aspect¶
Aspect - Aspect refers to the type of action.
Continuous action is reflected by use of the present tense stem. [See Example VP-E1]
Undefined action is reflected by use of the aorist tense stem [See Example VP-E3]
Completed action is reflected by use of the aorist or perfect tense stem. [See Example VP-E4 and Example VP-E5.]
Time – As a Verbal-adjective, the time of the action is relative to the time of the main verb. Therefore:
The perfect tense generally corresponds to action completed before the time of the main verb.
The aorist tense is undefined, but may indicate action completed prior to the time of the main verb or contemporaneous with the time of the main verb. [See Example VP-3 and VP-3a}
The present tense may be used to refer to action that is contemporaneous with the main verb or the future. However, there are exceptions. [ See Example VP-E2]
The future tense refers to action that occurs after the time of the main verb. [ see Example VP-E5]
Adjectival Usage - Participles may be used to modify a noun or a pronoun.¶
In this sense, they qualify or limit the noun. Like other adjectives the participle can take the place of a noun.
The Participle will agree with the noun that it is modifying in case, number, and gender.
a) Attributive – The attributive use refers to a participle that is used to modify a noun or pronoun. It is “attributing” some characteristic to the noun or pronoun that makes it distinctive, by assigning some quality or characteristic to the noun. [See Example VP-E6]
b) Substantive - Participles may also be used in place of a noun just like any other adjective. If it is being used as a noun (substantive use), it will be in the case that a noun would be. If it is functioning as the subject of the sentence, it will be in the nominative case. If it is functioning as the direct object of the verb, it will be in the accusative case.
If the participle is being used as a noun there will probably not be another noun in the sentence that agrees with the participle in case, number, and gender unless it is part of a series. [See Example VP-E7]
If a definite article precedes the participle, the emphasis of the participle is adjectival.
If the definite article is absent, the emphasis may still be adjectival. In this case it may still be used attributively or substantively.
Adverbal usage - Participles may be used to modify a verb.¶
In this sense they describe an action or the time of an action that takes place related to the verb.
Adverbal participles are never preceded with the definite article.
Participles never take the place of the main verb in a sentence.
Participles can function as an adverb modifying a verb. When their meaning is directed toward a verb, it will agree with a word (most likely the subject of the verb) in case number and gender.
Even though it is adverbial, it will still agree with a related noun in case number and gender. However, that noun may be implied or in a previous sentence.
Adverbal Participles may be classified as:
Temporal Adverbs – Adverbal participles are often translated temporally with the use of the helping word (while- present tense, or after -aorist, imperfect, perfect, or pluperfect tense). If the participle is in the imperfect tense continuous action is implied.
This is also often the case with the present tense. Therefore a translation of while making, or before making may be appropriate to reflect the continuous nature of the action. Temporal participles answer the question of “When?” for the verb it is modifying. [ See Example VP-E8]
2) Adverbs of Manner (or Means)- A participle may describe the manner or the means by which an action is carried out. They answer the question, How. As such it could reflect an emotion or attitude or how the action was carried out. In this case, the time of the participle is usually contemporaneous with the main verb (present tense or sometimes aorist tense). It usually follows the main verb. [See Example VP-E9 ,]
Adverbs of Cause – indicates the reason or cause for the action of the participle. It answers the question (Why?)
The causal since of the participle may be brought out by using the word “because” or “since”. The causal participle usually precedes the verb it modifies. [See Example VP-E10]
Adverbs of Condition – describe a condition for which the fulfillment of the main verb depends. [See Example VP-E11]
Adverbs of Concession- are used when the action of the main verb is true or occurred even though the action of the participle were present.
The concessive tone of the participle can be conveyed with the words (even though, although, in spite of, or despite). [See Example VP-E12]
6) Adverbs of Purpose - are used to indicate the purpose for a given action. They express the intent of the person carrying out the action. It is similar to the adverb of cause in that both answer the question why?)
Adverbial participles of purpose can be translated with the phrase “for the purpose of” or as an infinitive. [See Example VP-E13]
7) Adverbs of Result – indicates the results of the action of the main verb. An Adverbial Participle of Result is similar to the Adverbial Participle of Purpose. However, rather than indicating the purpose for the action, it gives the results of the action. [ See Example VP-E14]
Attendant Circumstance – describes an action that occurs at the same time as the action of the main verb, but is somehow related to the action of the main verb.
This category should only be chosen if the participles does not fit into any other category.
A participle of attendant circumstances describes (1) an action that is dependent upon the main verb; (2) the emphasis is on the main verb; and, (3) the action described by the participle is simply incidental to the main verb.
Generally the participle will precede the main verb in both word order and time of the event, but not necessarily. [ See Example VP-E15]
Participle Diagnostic Chart¶
| Participle Diagnostic Chart | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since Participles are never the main verb in a sentence, 1) locate the SUBJECT and MAIN VERB of the sentence. (Note: An adjectival participle can act as a noun and therefore can be the subject of the sentence. If so it will be in the nominative case) |
||||||
| What tense is the participle? [See 1(a) and 1(b) Focus on the ASPECT (type of action). The time of the action is drawn from and in relation to the main verb. (1) PRESENT tense indicates continuous action. (2) AORIST tense indicates undefined action prior to or at the time of the speaker. (3) PERFECT tense indicates completed action from the speaker's point of view with an ongoing effect. (4) FUTURE tense indicates action occurring in the future from the speaker's point of view. |
||||||
| Adjectival Participle | Adverbial Participle | |||||
| Is the Participle preceded by the definite article? YES - Always Adjectival NO- May be Adverbial, but also may be Adjectival. |
||||||
| Is there another noun present that is the same case, number, and gender? | ||||||
| Is the focus of the participle directed toward a noun? (Adjectival), or is the focus of the participle directed toward a verb? (Adverbial). |
||||||
| Adjectival Participle | Adverbial Participle | |||||
| (1) Is the Participle acting as a noun? - Substantive Use, (2) or Attributive use? |
1) Temporal - "WHILE, AFTER" Answers the question "WHEN" |
|||||
| Substantive | Attributive | 2) Adverb of Manner Answers the question "HOW?*" |
||||
| Use of the helping words "THE ONE WHO" may be helpful. |
Use of the helping words "WHO, or "WHICH" may be helpful |
3) Adverb of Cause Answers the question "WHY?" Use of the helping words "BECAUSE", or "SINCE" may be helpful |
||||
| 4) Adverb of Condition May need to add "(IF ... THEN)" to clarify |
||||||
| 5) Adverb of Concession Use of the the helping words " EVEN THOUGH, ALTHOUGH, or DESPITE" may be helpful. |
||||||
| 6) Adverb of Purpose "FOR THE PURPOSE OF" |
||||||
| 7) Adverb of Result "RESULTING IN" |
||||||
| 8) Attendant Circumstance | ||||||
B- Form¶
The basic form for a participles are given in Table V-P-T1_Present Active and Middle Participles, V-P-T-2_Aorist Active and Middle Participles , V-P-T-3_Aorist Passive Participles, and V-P-T-4_Perfect Participles.
Formation of Present Active Participles¶
Because the time of action comes from the main verb, the aspect of the present participle generally takes precedence. Therefore:
the present participle generally refers to continuous action.
When used temporally, it is generally translated using the key words while, or when. The continuous action is generally indicated by adding an
“-ing” to the end of the verb for active voice or
“while being ____” for passive voice.
Table VP-2 Participle Morpheme Chart¶
| VP-2 Participle Morpheme Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | |
| Active | ντ | ουσα | ντ |
| Middle/ Present (and Future Passive) |
μενο | μενη | μενο |
| Aorist Passive | ντ | θεις | ντ |
Table VP-3 Present (Continuous) Active Participle¶
The Present (continuous) Active participle is formed by:
| Table VP-3 Present (continuous) Active Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present Tense stem |
+ | connecting vowel |
+ | Active Participle Morpheme ντ/ουσα |
+ | case ending |
||
| λυ | + | ο | + | ντ | + | - | -> | λυῶν |
| loosing | ||||||||
[NOTE] – There is no case ending for the nominative masculine singular. Therefore the final tau (τ) drops off and the omicron lengthens to omega (ω).
The case endings follow the 3-1-3 pattern for adjective case endings.
The case endings may be found in Master Table 1 and Master Table 2.
Table VP -4 Present Active Participle¶
| Table VP-4 Present Active Participle 3-1-3 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | λύων * | λύουσα | λῦον ** |
| Genitive | λύοντος | λυούσης | λύοντος |
| Dative | λύοντι | λυούσῃ | λύοντι |
| Accusative | λύοντα | λύουσαν | λῦον |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | λύοντες | λύουσαι | λύοντα |
| Genitive | λυόντων | λυουσῶν | λύοντων |
| Dative | λύουσι(ν) *** | λυούσαις | λύουσι(ν) |
| Accusative | λύοντας | λυούσας | λύοντα |
- Notes:
* There is no case ending for the nominative masculine singular. Therefore, the final tau (τ) drops off and the omicron lengthens to omega (ω).
** Similar to the nominative masculine singular, there is no case ending for the nominative (and accusative) neuter singular participle. Therefore, the final tau (τ) drops off. However, in the neuter the omicron does not lengthen resulting in λῦον.
*** Because the ντ is followed by a sigma (σ), the ντ drops out. λυ ο ντ σι -> λυ ο σι The omicron (ο) then lengthens to ου to compensate for the loss. λυ ο σι -> λυ ου σι.
Formation of the Present Middle/Passive Participle¶
Table VP-5 Formation of Present Middle/Passive Participle¶
The present Middle and Passive participle is formed by:
| Table VP-5 Formation of Present (continuous) Middle/Passive Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present Tense stem |
+ | connecting vowel |
+ | Middle/Passive Participle Morpheme μενο/μενη |
+ | case ending |
||
| λυ | + | ο | + | μενο | + | ς | -> | λυόμενος |
| loosing myself or being loosed | ||||||||
Table VP-5a Present Middle/Passive Participle¶
| Table VP-5a Present Middle/Passive Participles 2-1-2 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | λυόμενος | λυομένη | λυόμενον |
| Genitive | λυομένου | λυομένης | λυομένου |
| Dative | λυομένῳ | λυομένῃ | λυομένῳ |
| Accusative | λυόμενον | λυομένην | λυόμενον |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | λυόμενοι | λυόμεναι | λυόμενα |
| Genitive | λυομένων | λυομένων | λυομένων |
| Dative | λυομένοις | λυομέναις | λυομένοις |
| Accusative | λυομένους | λυομένας | λυόμενα |
Formation of First Aorist Active Participle¶
Table VP-6 Formation of 1st Aorist Active Participle¶
The first Aorist Active Participle is formed by:
First aorist tense stem + tense formative (σα) + participle morpheme(ντ/ουσα) + case ending. The σα+ουσα contracts to σασ in the aorist λυ + σα +ντ + ες-> λύσαντες
| Table VP-6 Formation of 1st Aorist Active Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Aorist Tense stem |
+ | Tense Formative |
+ | Active Participle Morpheme ντ/ουσα |
+ | case ending |
||
| λυ | + | σα | + | ντ | + | ες | -> | λύσαντες |
| after we loosed | ||||||||
Note: [ There is no augment. The augment for the aorist indicative tense indicates an event that occurred in past time. With participles, the emphasis is on the aspect of the action and not the time of the action.] Therefore, there is no augment.
Table VP-6a First Aorist Active Participle¶
| Table VP-6a First Aorist Active Participle 3-1-3 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | λύσας * | λύσασα *** | λῦσαν ** |
| Genitive | λύσαντος | λυσάσης | λύσαντος |
| Dative | ΄λύσαντι | λυσάσῃ | λύσαντι |
| Accusative | λύσαντα | λύσασαν | λῦσαν |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | λύσαντες | λύσασαι | λύσαντα |
| Genitive | λυσάντων | λυσασῶν | λυσάντων |
| Dative | λύσασι (ν) | λυσάσαις | λύσασι (ν) |
| Accusative | λύσαντας | λυσάσας | λύσαντα |
[Note]
* Tthe ντ drops off because it is followed by a sigma λυ + σα+ντ + ς -> λυ +σα + ς
** There is no case ending and the final tau (τ) drops off.
*** The changes that result in dropping the ντ are complicated as the feminine form involves adding what William Mounce describes as adding a Consonantal Iota found in classical Greek to the participle morpheme (ντ). This results in the combined tau-iota becoming a sigma which then causes the ν to drop off resulting in λυσας. It is much easier, just to think of the feminine form marker as σας.
Formation of the First Aorist Middle Participle Table VP-7¶
The First Aorist middle participle is formed using the middle participle morpheme μενο for masculine or neuter verb stems and μενη for feminine verb stems.
Table VP-7 Formation of 1st Aorist Middle Participle¶
Therefor the First Aorist middle participle is formed by:
| Table VP-7 Formation of 1st Aorist Middle Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Aorist Tense stem |
+ | Aorist Tense Formative Marker σα |
+ | Middle Participle Morpheme μενο/μενη |
+ | case ending |
||
| λυ | + | σα | + | μενο | + | ς | -> | λυσάμενος |
| having loosed (himself) | ||||||||
Table VP-7a First Aorist Middle Participle¶
| Table VP-7a First Aorist Middle Participle 2-1-2 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | λυσάμενος | λυσαμένη | λυσάμενον |
| Genitive | λυσαμένου | λυσαμένης | λυσαμένου |
| Dative | λυσαμένῳ | λυσαμένῃ | λυσαμένῳ |
| Accusative | λυσάμενον | λυσαμένην | λυσάμενον |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | λυσάμενοι | λυσαμέναι | λυσάμενα |
| Genitive | λυσαμένων | λυσαμένων | λυσαμένων |
| Dative | λυσαμένοις | λυσαμέναις | λυσαμένοις |
| Accusative | λυσαμένους | λυσαμένας | λυσάμενα |
Formation of the First Aorist Passive Participle¶
The First Aorist Passive participle is formed using the same Aorist Tense Form marker except that the eta (θη) is shortened to an epsilon (θε) + Particple morpheme (ντ/ ισ)
Therefor the First Aorist Passive participle is formed by:
Table VP-8 Formation of First Aorist Passive Participle
| Table VP-8 Formation of 1st Aorist Passive Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Aorist Tense stem |
+ | Aorist Passive Formative Marker (θε) |
+ | Aorist Passive Participle Morpheme (ντ/ ις) |
+ | case ending |
||
| λυ | + | θε | + | ντ | + | ες | -> | λυθέντες |
| having been loosed (freed) | ||||||||
Table VP-8a First Aorist Passive Participle
| Table VP-8a First Aorist Passive Participle 3-1-3 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | λυθείς * | λυθεῖσα ** | λυθέν *** |
| Genitive | λυθέντος | λυθείσης | λυθέντος |
| Dative | λυθέντι | λυθείσῃ | λυθέντι |
| Accusative | λυθέντα | λυθεῖσαν | λυθέν |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | λυθένες | λυθεῖσαι | λυθέντα |
| Genitive | λυθέντων | λυθεισῶν | λυθέντων |
| Dative | λυθεῖσι (ν) | λυθείσαις | λυθεῖσι (ν) |
| Accusative | λυθέντας | λυθείσας | λυθέντα |
- Notes:
* The ντ drops out because it is followed by a sigma (σ). λυ + θε + ντ + ς -> λυ + θε + ς . The epsilon then lengthens to (ει) to compensate for the loss -> λυ + θει + ς.
** The changes that result in dropping the ντ are complicated as the feminine form involves adding what William Mounce describes as a Consonantal Iota found in classical Greek. This then causes the combined tau-iota to form a sigma. The nu drops off because it is followed by a sigma. The epsilon in the aorist form marker θε then undergoes compensatory lengthening to become θει resulting in θεισ. It is much easier just to think of the Aorist Passive Participle feminine morpheme as θεις.
*** There is no case ending. The tau then drops out because it cannot stand at the end of a word. λυ + θε + ντ + - -> λυ + θε + ντ -> λυθέν.
Formation of Second Aorist Active Participle¶
Second aorist tense stem + connecting vowel + participle morpheme(ντ/ουσα) + case ending.
There is no need for an Aorist form marker because the use of the Second Aorist stem serves this purpose. The augment for the aorist indicative tense indicates an event that occurred in past time. With participles, the emphasis is on the aspect of the action and not the time of the action. Therefore, there is no augment. The second aorist active participle will therefore look just like the present active participle except for use of the second aorist stem.
Table VP-9 Formation of Second Aorist Active Participle¶
| Table VP-9 Formation of 2nd Aorist Active Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Aorist Tense stem |
+ | Connecting Vowel |
+ | Aorist Active Participle Morpheme (ντ) |
+ | case ending |
||
| βαλ | + | ο | + | ντ | + | ες | -> | βαλόντες |
| after casting out | ||||||||
Table VP-9a Second Aorist Active Participle¶
| Table VP-9a Second Aorist Active Participle 3-1-3 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | Βαλών * | βαλοῦσα | βαλόν |
| Genitive | Βαλόντος | βαλούσης | βαλόντος |
| Dative | βαλόντι | βαλούσῃ | Βαλόντι |
| Accusative | βαλόντα | βαλοῦσαν | βαλόν |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | βαλόντες | βαλοῦσαι | βαλόντα |
| Genitive | βαλόντων | βαλουσῶν | βαλόντων |
| Dative | βαλοῦσι (ν) | βαλούσαις | βαλοῦσι (ν) |
| Accusative | βαλόντας | βαλούσας | βαλόντα |
Note:
* Similar to the Present Active Participle, there is no case ending in the nominative masculine singular causing the tau to drop off because it cannot stand at the end a word. The omicron then lengthens to omega to compensate for the missing tau resulting in Βαλών.
Formation of Second Aorist Middle Participle¶
Table VP-10 Formation of Second Aorist Middle Participle¶
The Second Aorist Middle Participle is formed by:
Second aorist tense stem + connecting vowel + participle morpheme (μενο/μενη) + case ending. There is no need for an Aorist form marker because the use of the Second Aorist stem serves this purpose. The second aorist active participle will therefore look just like the present active participle except for use of the second aorist stem.
| Table VP-10 Formation of 2nd Aorist Middle Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Aorist Tense stem |
+ | Connecting Vowel |
+ | Aorist Middle Participle Morpheme (μενο/μενη ) |
+ | case ending |
||
| γεν | + | ο | + | μενο | + | ς | -> | γενὀμενος |
| after he was | ||||||||
Table VP-10a Second Aorist Middle Participle
Built on the verb γίνομαι ( I am, I become, I am born)
| Table VP-10a Second Aorist Middle Participle 2-1-2 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | γενόμενος | γενομένη | γενόμενον |
| Genitive | γενομένου | γενομένης | γενομένου |
| Dative | γενομένῳ | γενομένῃ | γενομένῳ |
| Accusative | γενόμενον | γενομένην | γενόμενον |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | γενόμενοι | γενόμεναι | γενόμενα |
| Genitive | γενομένων | γενομένων | γενομένων |
| Dative | γενομένοις | γενομέναις | γενομένοις |
| Accusative | γενομένους | γενομένας | γενόμενα |
Formation of Second Aorist Passive Participle¶
The theta (θ) is dropped from the particle morpheme just as it is with second aorist verbs. It is not needed because the changes in the root notify the reader that this is second aorist verb.
Table VP-11 Formation 2nd Aorist Passive Participle¶
The second Aorist Passive participle is formed with:
the Second Aorist stem + connecting vowel (ε) + participle morpheme (ντ) + case ending
| Table VP-11 Formation of 2nd Aorist Passive Participle |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Aorist Tense stem |
+ | Connecting Vowel (ε) |
+ | Aorist Passive Participle Morpheme ( ντ) |
+ | case ending |
||
| στραφ | + | ε | + | ντ | + | ες | -> | στράφεντες |
| turned around | ||||||||
Table VP-11a Second Aorist Passive Participle¶
Based on στρέφω (I turn)
| Table VP-11a Second Aorist Passive Participle 3-1-3 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Active | ||
| Nominative | στρφείς * | στραφεῖσα | στραφέν ** |
| Genitive | στραφέντος | στραφεῖσης | στραφέντος |
| Dative | στραφέντι | στραφείσῃ | στραφέντι |
| Accusative | στραφέντα | στραφέῖςαν | στραφέν |
| Plural | |||
| Nominative | στραφέντες | στραφεῖσαι | στραφέντα |
| Genitive | στραφέντων | στραφεισῶν | στραφέντων |
| Dative | στραφεῖσι (ν) | στραφεῖσαις | στραφεῖσι (ν) |
| Accusative | στραφέντας | στραφεῖσας | στραφέντα |
Note:
* There is no case ending in the first person nominative singular with the result that the word ends with the participle morpheme. the nu tau (ντ) then drops out because it cannot stand at the end of the word. The epsilon (ε) then lengthens to (ει) to compensate for the missing letters.
** There is no case ending in the first person nominative singular. However only the tau drops out. We have seen this before with neuter verbs.
Examples:¶
Example of Present Participle Continuous Action¶
The time of action is indicated by the main verb. Therefore, the emphasis of a participle in the present tense is toward the aspect (or type) of action. Use of the present tense generally indicates continuous or ongoing action in relation to the main verb.
Example VP-E1 Present Participle continuous action
ὁ |
ποιῶν |
τὴν |
δικαιοσύνην |
δίκαιός |
ἐστιν. |
ho |
poiōn |
tēn |
dikaiosynēn |
dikaios |
estin |
The |
one who practices |
the |
righteousness |
righteous |
he is |
The one doing righteousness is righteous.
VP-E2 Example of Present Participle Undefined Action¶
While the basic rule is that use of a participle in the present tense indicates continuous action (or on going action) at the time of the main verb, there are exceptions.
One of the clearest exceptions is found in Mark 6:14. John the Baptist could not have been continually baptizing people after he was killed, and certainly there were times when he paused from his activities to eat and sleep. He was simply known as John the one who baptizes because this was a regular part of his ministry when he was alive. In addition, because John the Baptist was already dead, he could not have been baptizing people at the time the speaker was speaking. This should serve as a reminder for the need to take into account the context of the participle.
VP-E2
καὶ |
ἔλεγον |
ὅτι |
Ἰωάννης |
ὁ |
βαπτίζων |
ἐγήγερται |
ἐκ |
νεκρῶν |
kai |
elegon |
hoti |
Iōannēs |
ho |
baptizōn |
egēgertai |
ek |
nekrōn |
and |
they were saying |
that |
John |
the |
Baptist |
has been raised |
from |
death |
and some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead.
VP-E3 Example of Aorist Participle undefined action¶
καὶ |
ὑστερήσαντος |
οἴνου |
λέγει |
ἡ |
μήτηρ |
τοῦ |
Ἰησοῦ… |
kai |
hysterēsantos |
oinou |
legei |
hē |
mētēr |
tou |
Iēsou |
and |
having run out |
of wine |
she said |
the |
mother |
of |
Jesus |
And having run out of wine, the mother of Jesus says …
οἶνον |
οὐκ |
ἔχουσιν. |
oinon |
ouk |
echousin. |
wine |
not |
they have |
“They do not have wine.”
VP-E3a Example of Aorist Participle contemporanous action¶
In this example ἀποκριθεὶς is an aorist passive participle, yet the action is contemporaneous. εἶπεν, the main verb, is in the aorist tense indicating undefined action. λέγων is a present active participle.
καὶ |
ἀποκριθεὶς |
ὁ |
Ἰησοῦς |
πάλιν |
εἶπεν |
ἐν |
παραβολαῖς |
αὐτοῖς |
λέγων |
kai |
apokritheis |
ho |
Iēsous |
palin |
eipen |
en |
parabolais |
autois |
legōn |
and |
answering |
the |
Jesus |
again |
he said |
in |
parables |
to them |
saying |
And answering, Jesus again spoke to them in parables, saying…
VP-E4 Example of Perfect Participle completed action¶
The perfect tense is used to indicate action completed prior to the time of the main verb.
καὶ |
ἦν |
ὁ |
Ἰωάννης |
ἐνδεδυμένος |
τρίχας |
καμήλου |
kai |
ēn |
ho |
Iōannēs |
endedymenos |
trichas |
kamēlou |
and |
he was |
the |
John |
having been clothed |
in hair |
of camel |
And John was clothed with camel hair
VP-E5 Example of Future Participle¶
The future tense is used to indicate action that will be completed after the time of the main verb.
ᾔδει |
γὰρ |
ἐξ |
ἀρχῆς |
ὁ |
Ἰησοῦς |
τίς |
ἐστιν |
ὁ |
παραδώσων |
αὐτόν. |
ēdei |
gar |
ex |
archēs |
ho |
Iēsous |
tis |
estin |
ho |
paradōsōn |
auton. |
He knew |
for |
from |
beginning |
the |
Jesus |
who |
it is |
the |
one who would betray |
him |
For Jesus knew from the beginning … who was the one who would betray him.
VP-E6 Example of Participle Attributive use¶
σὺ |
εἶ |
ὁ |
Χριστὸς |
ὁ |
Υἱὸς |
τοῦ |
Θεοῦ |
τοῦ |
ζῶντος |
sy |
ei |
ho |
Christos |
ho |
Huios |
tou |
Theou |
tou |
zōntos |
You |
you are |
the |
Christ |
the |
Son |
of the |
God |
the |
one who is living (continuously) |
You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
VP-E7 Example of Participle Substantive use¶
If a participle is being used as a noun (substantive use), it will be in the case that the noun would be. If it is functioning as the subject of the sentence, it will be in the nominative case. If it is functioning as the direct object of the verb, it will be in the accusative case.
In this example πιστεύσας is in the nominative case and has the definite article. It is joined with another participle in the nominative case. They are both substantive participles and acting as the subject of the sentence. Because both participles are in the aorist tense, the aspect of the action is undefined. It could refer to continuous action or simply an action that has occurred.
Ὁ |
πιστεύσας |
καὶ |
βαπτισθεὶς |
σωθήσεται |
Hο |
pisteusas |
kai |
baptistheis |
sōthēsetai |
The |
one who has believed |
and |
who has been baptized |
will be saved |
He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
VP-E8 Example of Adverbial Participle – Temporal use¶
καὶ |
παράγων |
εἶδεν |
Λευεὶν |
τὸν |
τοῦ |
Ἁλφαίου |
kai |
paragōn |
eiden |
Leuein |
ton |
tou |
Halphaiou |
and |
while he was passing by |
he saw |
Levi |
the |
(son) |
of Alphaeus |
And passing by, he saw Levi the {son} of Alphaeus
Note: In this instance the participle (παράγων) is a present active participle nominative masculine singular. It is modifying the verb εἶδεν which is an aorist active indicative 3 person singular verb. The present participle would imply continuous action, but it takes its time from the main verb which is aorist. It would therefore be appropriate to translate this verse as “ when he was passing by, or while he was passing by … he saw Levi”
VP-E9 Example of Adverbial Participle – Adverbs of Manner (or Means)¶
ἐπορεύετο |
γὰρ |
τὴν |
ὁδὸν |
αὐτοῦ |
χαίρων |
eporeueto |
gar |
tēn |
hodon |
autou |
chairōn |
he was going |
for |
the |
way |
of him |
rejoicing |
for he went on his way rejoicing.
Note: The main verb ἐπορεύετο is in the imperfect tense which implies continuous action. Therefore, this verse could also be translated as (and he was going on his way rejoicing).
Example of Adverbial Participle – Adverbs of Cause¶
Table VP-E-10¶
Ἰησοῦς |
κεκοπιακὼς |
ἐκ |
τῆς |
ὁδοιπορίας |
ἐκαθέζετο |
Iēsous |
kekopiakōs |
ek |
tēs |
hodoiporias |
ekathezeto |
Jesus |
because he was tired/exhausted |
from |
the |
journey |
he was sitting |
Jesus, having grown weary from the journey, was sitting
or
Table VP-E10a¶
πολλοὶ |
ἐπίστευσαν |
θεωροῦντες |
αὐτοῦ |
τὰ |
σημεῖα |
ἃ |
ἐποίει |
polloi |
episteusan |
theōrountes |
autou |
ta |
sēmeia |
ha |
epoiei |
many |
they believed |
having seen |
his |
the |
signs |
which |
he was doing |
many believed … seeing his signs that he was doing. Or this could be translated many believed …. Because they saw his signs (which) he was doing.
VP-E11 Example of Adverbial Participle – Adverbs of Condition¶
Adverbs of condition are similar to a first class condition statement. If this…. Then that. It is appropriate to add the word “if” in translating Participle Adverbs of Condition.
καιρῷ |
γὰρ |
ἰδίῳ |
θερίσομεν |
μὴ |
ἐκλυόμενοι |
kairō |
gar |
idiō |
therisomen |
mē |
eklyomenoi |
in time |
for |
one’s own |
we will reap |
(if) not |
giving up |
for in due time, not becoming weary, we will reap.
[ It could also be translated, “for in due time we will reap, if we do not lose heart/give up”
VP-E12 Example of Adverbial Participle – Adverbs of Concession¶
διότι |
γνόντες |
τὸν |
Θεὸν |
οὐχ |
ὡς |
Θεὸν |
ἐδόξασαν |
dioti |
gnontes |
ton |
Theon |
ouch |
hōs |
Theon |
edoxasan |
for/because |
(even though) they knew |
the |
God |
not |
as |
God |
they glorified |
For having known God, they did not glorify {him} as God.
[or this could be translated “for even though they knew God, they did not glorify (him) as God”
VP-E13 Example of Adverbial Participle – Adverbs of Purpose¶
καὶ |
προσῆλθον |
αὐτῷ |
Φαρισαῖοι |
πειράζοντες |
αὐτὸν |
kai |
prosēlthon |
autō |
Pharisaioi |
peirazontes |
auton |
and |
they came |
to him |
Pharisees |
with the purpose of testing |
him |
Pharisees approached him, to test *him… *
[In this example, the Adverbial participle of purpose, is translated as an infinitive.]
VP-E14 Example of Adverbial Participle- Adverbs of Result¶
οὐκέτι |
ἀφίετε |
αὐτὸν |
οὐδὲν |
ποιῆσαι |
τῷ |
πατρὶ |
ἢ |
τῇ |
μητρί |
οὐκέτι |
ἀφίετε |
αὐτὸν |
οὐδὲν |
ποιῆσαι |
τῷ |
πατρὶ |
ἢ |
τῇ |
μητρί |
no longer |
you permit |
him |
anything |
to do |
for (his) |
father |
or |
his |
mother |
ἀκυροῦντες |
τὸν |
λόγον |
τοῦ |
Θεοῦ |
ἀκυροῦντες |
τὸν |
λόγον |
τοῦ |
Θεοῦ |
With the result of invalidating |
the |
word |
of the |
God |
You no longer permit him to do anything for {his} father or {his} mother, 13 nullifying the word of God.
[ or with the result of nullifying the word of God.
VP-E15 Example of Adverbial Participle – Attendant Circumstance¶
δέξαι |
σου |
τὰ |
γράμματα |
καὶ |
καθίσας |
ταχέως |
γράψον |
πεντήκοντα. |
dexai |
sou |
ta |
grammata |
kai |
kathisas |
tacheōs |
grapson |
pentēkonta. |
You take |
of you |
the |
writing/account |
and |
having sat down |
write |
fifty |
Take your bill and, sitting down, quickly write 50.