Tag Archives: perfect tense

1 John 1:3

ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Focus Topic: Perfect Tense and Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses

This verse offers a brilliant mix of perfect indicative verbs, present indicative, and a purpose clause introduced by ἵνα followed by a present subjunctive. It blends eyewitness testimony with theological intent, structured through careful grammatical choices.

The Perfect Tense: ἑωράκαμεν and ἀκηκόαμεν

These two verbs are both in the perfect active indicative, 1st person plural. The perfect tense in Greek describes a completed action with continuing results:

Greek Word Tense Voice Meaning ἑωράκαμεν Perfect Active We have seen (and still see the result) ἀκηκόαμεν Perfect Active We have heard (and it continues to shape us)

The author is emphasizing not just past experiences, but the enduring witness of what they have seen and heard — a theological strategy to ground their proclamation (ἀπαγγέλλομεν).… Learn Koine Greek