Reading Biblical Greek Part 2: Understanding Verb Conjugation

Series Outline

• Part 1: The Greek Alphabet & Pronunciation Guide
• Part 2: Understanding Verb Conjugation
• Part 3: Part 3: Noun Declension Basics
• Part 4: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Compound Words
• Part 5: Prepositions & Articles in Greek
• Part 6: Basic Sentence Structure & Syntax
• Part 7: Vocabulary Building & Common Biblical Terms

Introduction

Now that you’ve mastered the Greek alphabet and pronunciation, it’s time to take the next step: understanding verb conjugation. In Greek, verbs are the powerhouse of sentences, carrying information about who is performing the action, when the action happens, and in what way the action is carried out. This part of the series will introduce you to the basic principles of Greek verb conjugation, focusing on present tense verbs to keep it simple for now.

What Is Verb Conjugation?

In biblical Greek, verbs are inflected, meaning that their forms change to express different grammatical features like tense (when the action takes place), person (who is performing the action), number (how many people are involved), and voice (whether the subject performs or receives the action).

Here’s what we’ll cover:

1. Tense – Present tense for now.
2. Person – First, second, and third person.
3. Number – Singular and plural.
4. Voice – Active voice (we’ll introduce middle and passive later).

Present Tense Conjugation

Let’s begin with the present active indicative—the simplest form of verb conjugation, which tells us that the action is happening right now, in real time.

We’ll use the verb λύω (luō), which means “to loosen” or “to release,” as our model.

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Greek Present Tense Verb Endings

The ending of a verb in Greek changes depending on person and number. Here are the standard endings for the present active indicative form:

• First Person: Refers to the speaker(s).
• Second Person: Refers to the person(s) being spoken to.
• Third Person: Refers to the person(s) being spoken about.

Example Sentences:

• 1st Person Singular: λύω τὸ βιβλίον. (I loosen the book.)
• 2nd Person Singular: λύεις τὸ βιβλίον. (You loosen the book.)
• 3rd Person Singular: λύει τὸ βιβλίον. (He/She/It loosens the book.)

As you can see, the verb endings change based on who is doing the action. Once you understand these endings, you can apply them to any present tense verb.

Voice: Active, Middle, and Passive

For now, we’re focusing on active voice, where the subject is performing the action (e.g., “I loosen the book”). Later in the series, we’ll explore the middle and passive voices, which indicate different relationships between the subject and the action.

Vocabulary: Common Present Tense Verbs

Here are some common verbs you’ll encounter in the New Testament, all conjugated in the present active indicative:

Practice Section: Conjugate the Verbs

Using the table of endings and the verbs above, try conjugating each verb in the present tense for all persons and numbers. For example:

• λέγω (legō, “I say”):
• 1st Person Singular: λέγω
• 2nd Person Singular: λέγεις
• 3rd Person Singular: λέγει
• 1st Person Plural: λέγομεν
• 2nd Person Plural: λέγετε
• 3rd Person Plural: λέγουσι(ν)

Homework and Next Steps

• Memorize the Verb Endings: Practice the present active indicative endings for first, second, and third person (both singular and plural). Try writing them out without looking at the table.
• Conjugate Verbs: Choose a few verbs (like λέγω, γράφω, and ἀκούω) and practice conjugating them in the present tense.
• Identify Verbs in Scripture: Use an interlinear Bible or an online tool like Blue Letter Bible to find Greek verbs in the New Testament and see if you can identify their person, number, and tense.

Conclusion

You’ve now learned the basics of present tense verb conjugation in biblical Greek! By recognizing the different endings, you’ll be able to identify who is doing the action in a sentence. In Part 3, we’ll tackle noun declension, where you’ll learn how to recognize and understand the different forms of Greek nouns.

Part 3: Part 3: Noun Declension Basics