Perfects in Rev. 3:8

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Bert
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Perfects in Rev. 3:8

Post by Bert »

My understanding of the perfect tense is that it describes a state rather than
an action.
I am curious how this affects the meaning of a phrase in Revelation 3:8.
i)δοὺ δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην,
Concerning the first perfect, δέδωκα , is it important that it has been given,
or just that it is available now?
Concerning the second perfect, ἠνεῳγμένην, my question is; Does this
participle say anything about the fact that this door was opened, or just that
it is standing open, maybe just happened to stand open?

Thank you.

Paul
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Post by Paul »

Bert wrote:Concerning the first perfect, δέδωκα , is it important that it has been given, or just that it is available now?
Hi Bert,

Well, in order to be available now it must first be given.

I would say that the perfect here stresses the present availability of the given door. In otherwords, this perfect denotes a persistent state of the object.
Bert wrote:Concerning the second perfect, ἠνεῳγμένην, my question is; Does this participle say anything about the fact that this door was opened, or just that it is standing open, maybe just happened to stand open?
I don't think this perfect participle says anything about the opening of the door. Rather, simply that the door is open and remains open.

Cordially,

Paul

Bert
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Post by Bert »

Thanks Paul. Concerning your first comment (Well, in order to be available now it must first be given.) Would there then only be a very slight difference in meaning if the verb had been in the 3 rd person, "someone has given..." or even " you have taken for yourself..." ?

(I was hoping that you would be at least one of the ones to reply, considering the work you have done on verb aspect, so thanks again)

Paul
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Post by Paul »

Bert wrote:Concerning your first comment (Well, in order to be available now it must first be given.) Would there then only be a very slight difference in meaning if the verb had been in the 3 rd person, "someone has given..." or even " you have taken for yourself..." ?
Hi Bert,

Yeah, that's how I see it. The clause sooner concerns the persistent availability of an open door than who put it there.

Cordially,

Paul

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