nov97: Present Tense... Long Message

For what it's worth, I have recently been reading some sections of the Matthew giving special attention to uses of the present tense. Here are some of my initial observations:

One way of describing the present tense might be to consider "present" as being more a matter of space than of time. Some of the most remarkable uses of the present tense are those instances in which the reader is actually drawn into the presence of the ongoing action of a *narrative* which is being recounted.

-Sometimes the present tense draws me into the narrative in such a way that I seem to be present as an actual participant. In Matt 5:39 I feel like I myself am the one who is being struck on the right cheek.

-Sometimes the present tense draws me into the narrative in such a way that I seem to be present as an inanimate object. (In Matt 9:17 I feel like I myself am the winskins that are bursting and I feel like I myself am the wine that is being poured out)

-Most often the present tense draws me into the narrative in such a way that I seem to be present as an observer but not as an actual participant in the action.

These uses of the present tense seem to occur more often in the didactic rather than in the narrative sections of the New Testament.

-The present tense is used to declare a *rule* or *norm* which is stated once but can be seen again and again in day to day life. Matt 5:15: "People do not light a lamp and put it under a bushel but on a lampstand" (instances of the rule or norm are usually stated in the aorist tense)

-The present tense is used to declare a *habit* or *custom* or *practice* which is repetatively seen or experienced. (applications and instances of these habits, customs or practices are usually stated in the aorist tense)

-The present tense is used to declare a *state of being* or an *ongoing* or *repetitive* action. Matthew 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes?"

-The present tense is used to question or command the beginning of an *ongoing* action. (for example are the many uses of the present imperative in which someone is urged to start and get moving with a particular course of action)

Vividness...
For the reader, the effect of all the above seems to be vividness. Every instance of the present tense seems to drawg a reader into a narative situation or to draw the reader into a fuller understanding of an ongoing or repetetive action or state. In few of these instances does time seem to be the primary emphasis of the present tense.

Jonathan, I commend you on your efforts at putting together a guide for "Little Greeks". What you have done so far is really excellent. I find it extremely difficult to define specific *rules* to govern the present tense or for that matter any other portion of Greek grammar. As soon as a rule is stated one regrets it and finds an abundance of flaws and exceptions to the logic of it. However, let me give it a try anyway.

For what it's worth, I have recently been reading some sections of the Matthew giving special attention to uses of the present tense. Here are some of my initial observations:

-Most often the present tense draws me into the narrative in such a way that I seem to be present as an observer but not as an actual participant in the action.

These uses of the present tense seem to occur more often in the didactic rather than in the narrative sections of the New Testament.

   -The present tense is used to declare a *state of being* or an *ongoing* or *repetitive* action. Matthew 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes?"

   -The present tense is used to question or command the beginning of an *ongoing* action.   (for example are the many uses of the present imperative in which someone is urged to start and get moving with a particular course of action)

For the reader, the effect of all the above seems to be vividness. Every instance of the present tense seems to drawg a reader into a narative situation or to draw the reader into a fuller understanding of an ongoing or repetetive action or state. In few of these instances does time seem to be the primary emphasis of the present tense.