Re: Aorist Use of EIMI
Carlton L. Winbery (winberyc@popalex1.linknet.net)
Wed, 14 Aug 1996 12:24:08 +0400
Carl Conrad answered Wes;
>At 6:33 PM -0400 8/13/96, wes.williams@twcable.com wrote:
>>
>> Can not the verb EIMI include an aorist aspect? Is it necessarily true
>> that all uses of EIMI indicative are durative in nature where not used
>> as a linking verb? If EIMI does include an aorist aspect, can someone
>> please provide a reference or some examples?
>
>While I ought not to make such a statement without having a reference work
>to consult handy, I have always found the forms of GI(G)NOMAI used where an
>aorist of EIMI is wanted. The fact that EIMI has only the present
>(durative, continuous) aspect is precisely the reason why Parmenides was
>able to use forms of the verb EIMI to "prove" that time and motion are
>illusory.
I would agree with Carl here for the NT documents as well. The egs. cited
for possible aoristic use of EIMI are what I call durative present. Jn.
15:27 the thinking is "you are with me from the beginning." The note of
time is what indicates that the period of time thru which the state endured
is in the past. Remember aspect is secondary for the present and aorist
tenses. On the other hand in Jn. 1:14 hO LOGOS SARX EGENETO, might be
looked upon as "The Word was (became) flesh." Without checking out other
instances, when the idea of "being, becoming" needs an aorist aspect,
GI(G)NOMAI seems to be used in the NT.
Grace,
Carlton L. Winbery
Prof. NT & Greek La College
winberyc@popalex1.linknet.net
winbery@andria.lacollege.edu