CONTINUOUS ACTION
HABITUAL ACTION
OFTEN REFLECTS A LIFESTYLE

From Peter's use of  PRESENT TENSE one can see that in context (see also discussion of "context") he is referring to born again ones, describing them as those who are "continually being protected by the power (dunamis) of God". God's protection of His children isn't fickle, present one day & absent the next. You can see how even the most basic understanding of verb tense can add so much to the meaning.

Knowledge of the tense of a verb can sometimes be critical for accurate interpretation.

For example note 1Jo 3:9: "No one who is born of God practices (present tense) sin (noun), because His seed abides in him and he cannot SIN (verb), because he is born of God." 

Look at the verb "SIN". At first glance the verse seems to imply that one who is "born of God" can never commit a sin and yet all genuine believers know that this is not a reality (cf 1Jo 1:8). When you understand that the verb SIN is in the present tense, it becomes clear that John is saying that one who is born of God cannot habitually commit sins as a way of life. The verb "practices" is also present tense and thus conveys the same thought. All believers commit sins but not habitually or as their lifestyle. Application: if one's lifestyle is that of continual sinning in the face of no desire for holiness, these individuals need to examine whether they are genuinely new creatures in Christ (2Cor 5:17) born from above (2Co 13:5). And so one can see that in 1Jo 3:9 (as in most of 1John 3) the accurate interpretation of this passage is certainly aided by a proper understanding of verb tense.

Depending on the context, the following adverbs may be useful to "amplify" the meaning of a verb in the present tense:

"Continuously, constantly, habitually".

EFFECTIVE ACTION

SUCCESSFUL ACTION

SINGLE ACTION

ONE-TIME ACTION

States that an action occurs without regard to its duration. It is analogous to a snapshot which captures an action at specific point in time.

In indicative mood, aorist can indicate punctiliar action (happens at a specific point in time) in past

The AORIST TENSE conveys the truth that the believer's new birth (indicative mood is mood of reality) has occurred at a point in the past without specifying when this event occurred. The passive voice indicates this new birth was produced by a Source outside of the recipient and in context that Source is "the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ".

Depending on the context the following adverbs may be useful to "amplify" the meaning of the action portrayed by the aorist tense:

"Effectively, successfully, completely, even once, actually, really".

In this verse Peter uses the Perfect Tense to convey the truth of the "living hope" (not "hope so" but a certain expectation of future good. Click more on "hope") that believers have an inheritance that has been reserved for us at a point of time in the past (when we were born again) and remains in a state of being "reserved". What a great picture. When taking a long road trip we have all had the misfortune of arriving at our motel late at night, only to discover that our reservation has been given away! Peter says that this "mistake" will not happen to believers when we reach our final destination in heaven, for our future home (and inheritance) have been reserved for us in the past and that reservation is valid for all eternity because the "reservation price" has been "paid in full" when Jesus' cried out "It is finished" (Jo 19:30).

Finished is also in the perfect tense and refers to Messiah's work of procuring for lost sinners a salvation from sin through the blood of His Cross.

The entire sense of Jesus' poignant cry is “It was finished and as a result it is forever done!” “It stands finished!”. The priests in the tabernacle always stood when ministering the sacrifices. But Jesus Christ our great High Priest is seated because His work is forever finished. He need never arise and offer another sacrifice  because full payment for our sins has been paid in the past with His sacrificial blood and the effect of that payment will endure throughout eternity! This is indeed good news, beloved of the Lord!

In short, the perfect tense is very expressive for it speaks of an action that took place in the past, which was completed in past time, and existence of its finished results. For instance one might say “I have closed the door" which speaks of a past completed action. But the implication is that as a result the door is still closed. Thus, the entire meaning is, “I have closed the door and it is closed at present.” You can see how a simple understanding of the perfect tense can often amplify the meaning which may not be readily apparent in the English translation, because the perfect tense has no exact equivalent in English.

In Matthew 4:4, our Lord answers Satan, “It is written” and "written" is in the perfect tense. Here Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy which had been written by Moses 1500 years before, but is still on record. David said, “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” A good translation would be “It stands written.” It is the eternal word of God and you can stake your life on it forever!

IMPERFECT
TENSE

The IMPERFECT tense can often paint a vivid picture of an action (a veritable "motion picture") which is repeated in the past -- the idea is that  the action happens over & over & over -- in Acts 16:7 Luke uses the IMPERFECT tense to portray Paul attempting to enter Bithynia, being hindered in some way by the Holy Spirit & yet trying again & again to enter! This dramatic picture gives us an intriguing insight into the heart of Paul that cannot be gleaned without a basic understanding of the imperfect tense. Doesn't the added insight help make this verse literally "come alive"? This is often the effect of the IMPERFECT tense. Look at some other examples:.

Mk 4:37 And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over (imperfect tense) the boat so much that the boat was already filling up".

Can't you picture yourself in the boat with the waves pounding again & again (imperfect tense conveys this picture) against the side and even beginning to fill the boat with water.

These examples should help you see the wonderful added insights that are possible with just a simple understanding of the verb tenses.

If you are intrigued, take some time & practice applying your new  understanding to a few other NT verses that use the IMPERFECT tense & see if you do not glean some added insights which simply make some of these texts "come alive" as you envision the action suggested by the imperfect tense in each of the following verses  (this exercise will be most beneficial if you read verses in context-click for context):
 

 Mt 2:4 "he began to inquire" (imperfect);
 Mt 26:59 "kept trying to obtain (imperfect) false testimony"
 Mt 27:23 "they kept shouting (imperfect) all the more"

 Mk 7:26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking (imperfect) Him to cast the demon out of her daughter." (what a vivid scene!).

 Acts 21:30 "they dragged (imperfect) him out of the temple"
 

Greek Word Studies: links to in depth word studies on site (new words added weekly)

The Greeks Had a Word for It: excellent summary chapter from the book Basics of Biblical Interpretation by Bob Smith

Greek Grammar: compilation based primarily on Mounce. There are other areas of this website that express opinions I do not agree with but the Greek seems to be objective and accurate. As always be a Berean on my site or any other internet site (Acts17:11)

Learning NT Greek - click index on left side of page to open specific subject. Nice feature is you can read a simple explanation and if you desire more detail you can read an intermediate/advanced explanation, including Subjunctive Mood.