οὐδὲν γὰρ εἰσηνέγκαμεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, δῆλον ὅτι οὐδὲ ἐξενεγκεῖν τι δυνάμεθα·
(1 Timothy 6:7)
For we brought nothing into the world; it is clear that we are not able to carry anything out either.
Three Verbs Framing a Life Truth
This compact verse expresses a profound theological truth about human existence and material detachment, using three critical Greek verbs:
- εἰσηνέγκαμεν — aorist active indicative, “we brought in”
- ἐξενεγκεῖν — aorist active infinitive, “to carry out”
- δυνάμεθα — present middle/passive indicative, “we are able”
Each verb not only serves its syntactic function but also shapes how Paul communicates the transience of material gain and the limits of human power.
Grammatical Dissection of the Verbs
| Verb: εἰσηνέγκαμεν | |
|---|---|
| Lexical Form | εἰσφέρω |
| Tense | Aorist |
| Voice | Active |
| Mood | Indicative |
| Person & Number | 1st Plural |
| Aspect | Perfective |
| Semantic Force | Completed action—our entry into the world was empty-handed |
| Verb: ἐξενεγκεῖν | |
| Lexical Form | ἐκφέρω |
| Tense | Aorist |
| Voice | Active |
| Mood | Infinitive |
| Aspect | Perfective |
| Semantic Force | Single, complete act of carrying out—ultimate departure from life |
| Verb: δυνάμεθα | |
| Lexical Form | δύναμαι |
| Tense | Present |
| Voice | Middle/Passive (deponent) |
| Mood | Indicative |
| Person & Number | 1st Plural |
| Aspect | Imperfective |
| Semantic Force | Ongoing inability—we are not in a continual state of power to take anything with us |
Verbal Tense as Theological Timeline
- Aorist (εἰσηνέγκαμεν): a snapshot—our birth brought nothing material into the world. The action is complete and irreversible.
- Aorist (ἐξενεγκεῖν): future possibility of action—if we were to carry something out, it would be a single act, but it’s grammatically set up as impossible via δυνάμεθα.
- Present (δυνάμεθα): present and ongoing inability. Not only can we not do it now—we never will be able to.
Infinitive Construction and Emphasis
The infinitive ἐξενεγκεῖν is the object of the verb δυνάμεθα and clarifies the limit of our power. It’s a rare case where the infinitive carries such existential weight—what we cannot do even once is carry out anything. Grammar preaches permanence.
What the Verb Meant to Say
The verbs of 1 Timothy 6:7 are sober and unornamented—yet deeply theological. Aorist forms underline the finality of birth and death. The present tense reminds us we are continually unable to carry anything with us. Koine Greek here is more than grammar—it’s eschatology. In just three verbs, Paul collapses the illusion of ownership and invites us to invest in the eternal.
